Patent Description:
HVAC systems comprise a plurality of consumers that are arranged distributed in branches or lines and that are supplied with a liquid or gaseous fluid. To obtain a desired distribution of the fluid to the consumers, equalizing, regulating or balancing units are provided, for instance adjustable actuated control elements, such as valves and dampers, wherein the flow through specific consumers is adjusted using different size openings or valve and dampers settings. The actuated parts are mechanically controlled by HVAC actuators, including motorized HVAC actuators coupled to the actuated part. In the field of HVAC, actuators typically comprise an electric motor, coupled (through gears and/or other mechanical coupling) to the actuated part. HVAC actuators are electrically controlled by HVAC controllers, in particular an electronic circuit thereof. In addition, various sensors are used to measure environmental variables such as humidity, temperature or air quality. For example, an air quality sensor may be a sensor for determining a proportion of carbon dioxide or certain contaminants in the air flow, in particular fine dust particles. Furthermore, HVAC sensors are used to determine operational parameters of various elements of an HVAC system, such as an actuated position of an actuated part, and the operational state of an HVAC actuator. Other important sensor types are sensors to measure a flow rate of a fluid and pressure sensors.

In such HVAC configurations the regulating and balancing units must also have individual parameter settings. Certain individual parameters of regulating and balancing units of an HVAC system must be undertaken directly during the installation of the regulating and balancing unit. Thus, individual parameters of the regulating and balancing units may be adjusted for instance by rotating a potentiometer position with a screwdriver or by connecting and operating a service tool using a service socket.

Certain control functions of HVAC systems may be performed from a remote server, the remote server comprising a computer program such as a Building Management System (BSM) to control and monitor a building's mechanical and electrical equipment. Furthermore, certain functions, in particular the commissioning and/or configuration of HVAC systems may be performed by means of portable devices, such as a general purpose mobile computing device (e.g. a smartphone) or a dedicated configuration tool.

<CIT> illustrates an electronically configurable actuator. The actuator comprises an electrically controllable mechanical converter, a wireless interface for receiving data related to operation of the actuator and at least one external device thereof, a settings data module for storing the data, a wired interface for administering external devices based on the data, and a control module for controlling the mechanical converter corresponding to the data. The wireless interface is set up for transmitting radio-based, optical, or acoustic signals, for instance in accordance with a standard such as Bluetooth, IrDA, IEEE <NUM> (WLAN), etc., or in accordance with a mobile communications technique. Data may be prepared on a portable computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant), or a mobile telephone and transmitted to the actuator via the wireless interface.

Recently, near field communication (NFC) technology have been used to enable HVAC field devices to be wirelessly configured. <CIT> discloses a drive (shown in <FIG> of the present application) for an HVAC system having an actuator for a control element of the HVAC system. The drive further comprises: a passive NFC transponder that is set up to transmit a unique identifier to a mobile service device before a power supply for the drive is switched on and to receive and store from the mobile service device one or a plurality of drive parameters, and a control module that is set up to control the actuator after a power supply for the drive is switched on, taking into account the one or a plurality of stored drive parameters.

<CIT> relates to a control device for an HVAC system, a mobile service device for configuring an HVAC system, and a method for configuring an HVAC system that allows configuration prior to powering up, using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for communication between components and the control device, thereby streamlining the installation and setup process without the need for multiple visits by technicians.

As HVAC devices becoming more and more complex and their positioning and accessibility in HVAC systems more demanding, there is a need for new and improved short range communication enabled HVAC devices.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention, thereafter referred to as disclosure to provide an HVAC field device and system that at least partially address the disadvantages of known HVAC field devices and systems. In particular, it is an object of embodiments disclosed herein to provide an HVAC device and system that have improved functionality and accessibility.

According to the present disclosure, these objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Moreover, further advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the description.

The above-identified objective is addressed according to the present disclosure by an HVAC field device comprising a plurality of HVAC device blocks. The HVAC field device comprises:.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electric motor may be arranged within the base housing or it may be arranged outside the base housing. In embodiments, the sensor of the base HVAC device block is configured to measure a parameter of the HVAC system, in particular an environmental parameter, such as a temperature, humidity, volatile organic component (VOC), particulate matter (PM) and/or CO2 level of an environment controlled by the HVAC system. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor of the base HVAC device block is provided to measure operational parameters of various components of the HVAC system such as an actuated position of the actuated part and/or the operational state of the HVAC field device and/or other parameters of the HVAC system, such as a flow rate or differential pressure at locations of a fluid through a fluid transportation system.

In one embodiment, the electrical connection between the first add-on NFC antenna and the base HVAC device block is direct, i.e. without any devices in-between. For example, the direct connection may be an analogue electrical connection transferring an antenna signal to be transmitted.

In another embodiment, the electrical connection between the first add-on NFC antenna and the base HVAC device block is indirect, i.e. via other electrical components such as NFC circuits or microcontrollers, and/or via one or more additional add-on HVAC blocks. In one embodiment, the indirect connection may include a digital signal path between an NFC circuit and a control module.

In one embodiment, the base HVAC device block further comprises a base NFC antenna electrically connected to the base NFC circuit.

In one embodiment, the base HVAC device block and the first add-on HVAC device block are connected directly via an electromechanical interface.

In one embodiment, the base HVAC device block comprises a connection interface of a first-type and the first add-on HVAC device block comprises a connection interface of the first-type and a connection interface of a second-type, wherein the connection interfaces of the first-type and the connection interface(s) of the second-type are configured to be mechanically connectable with each other. In this embodiment, the base HVAC device block and the first add-on HVAC device block are stacked such that the connection interface of the first type is mechanically connected to the connection interface of the second type of adjacent HVAC device block.

In one embodiment, the first add-on HVAC block is removably attached or fixedly attached to the base HVAC block. The housings of the HVAC blocks may be attached to each other so that the HVAC blocks are attached to each other by means of their housings.

In one embodiment, the first add-on HVAC device block is positioned on top or on side of the base HVAC device block. In another embodiment, the base HVAC device block and the first add-on HVAC device block are connected via an additional HVAC block.

In one embodiment, the first add-on NFC antenna is electrically connected directly to the base NFC circuit, wherein the base NFC circuit may also be integrated in the base control circuit and/or the base control module. In one embodiment, the connection is established via high-frequency (HF) connection on antenna side, for example with a frequency of <NUM>,<NUM>.

In one embodiment, the first add-on HVAC device block comprises a first add-on NFC circuit connected to the first add-on NFC antenna.

In one embodiment, the first add-on HVAC device block comprises a first add-on control module connected to the first add-on NFC circuit. In yet another embodiment, the first add-on control module is connected to the base control module.

In one embodiment, the first add-on NFC antenna is configured to interact with an NFC antenna of an external service device, when located inside a communication range of the external service device, allowing data exchange between the HVAC field device and the external service device.

In one embodiment, the HVAC field device is configured to harvest power from the external service device via the first add-on NFC antenna and/or the base NFC antenna.

In one embodiment, the base NFC circuit and/or the first add-on NFC circuit comprises a memory, such as a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory of the HVAC field device is used for storing configuration data of the HVAC field device, which is required to run actuator or sensor programs. Advantageously, the presence of non-volatile memory in the base NFC circuit and/or in the first add-on NFC circuit allows to reduce the size of a non-volatile memory in the control module (such as an ASIC or a microcontroller) or to completely eliminate the non-volatile memory from the control module.

In one embodiment, the HVAC field device further comprises a second add-on HVAC device block, wherein the second add-on HVAC device block is positioned between the base HVAC device block and the first add-on HVAC device block or on the top of the first add-on HVAC device block. In yet another embodiment, the second add-on HVAC device block comprises a second add-on NFC antenna electrically connected to the base HVAC device block and/or the first add-on HVAC device block.

In one embodiment, the second add-on HVAC block serves as mechanical and/or electrical interface between the base HVAC block and the first add-on HVAC block.

In one embodiment, the first add-on HVAC device block comprises a cover. The cover may be an integral part of the add-on HVAC block housing or a separate element configured to be mechanically connected to the housing. In yet another embodiment, the device comprises a human interaction device, and the first add-on NFC antenna is located underneath the human interaction device. In one embodiment, the human interaction device is integrated into the cover.

In one embodiment, the first add-on NFC antenna comprises at least two NFC antennas positioned at two opposite sides of the HVAC device.

In one embodiment, the base NFC antenna is positioned in a way that it cannot be accessed via the service device to establish a communication or an access to the base NFC antenna is blocked by the first add-on HVAC device block. In yet another embodiment, the communication range of the first add-on NFC antenna and/or base NFC antenna is from <NUM> to <NUM>, in another embodiment from <NUM> to <NUM> and in yet another embodiment from <NUM> to <NUM>. These values are exemplary only, and they are not to be understood as essential.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an HVAC system comprising an HVAC field device according to the invention. The proposed HVAC system comprises an actuated part, such as a valve and/or a damper, drivingly connected to the electric motor of the base HVAC device block of the HVAC field device.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for improving NFC communication between an HVAC field device and a service device, the method comprising the step of adding an add-on HVAC device block comprising an NFC antenna to a base HVAC device block of the HVAC field device. In one embodiment, the add-on block comprises the add-on NFC antenna connected to an add-on NFC circuit. In another embodiment, where the add-on NFC antenna is connected to the add-on NFC circuit, the base NFC antenna is disabled from operation.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for configuring an HVAC field device, the method comprising the steps of:.

The herein described disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention which is defined in the appended claims. The drawings which show:.

Field devices comprise devices of an HVAC system which are located within the controlled environment or which are mechanically connected, e.g. by the fluid transportation system, to the controlled environment. Field devices implement one or more electrical and/or mechanical functions and comprise but not limited to actuators, sensors, or a combination thereof.

Near field communication (NFC) is the technology used for the communication between two devices in a short range, typically over a distance of <NUM> to <NUM>. Typical applications include contactless payment systems replacing credit cards. Usually, NFC is used for sharing small files with limited transfer speed. NFC components such as NFC circuits are usually equipped with non-volatile memory storage in the kb range. In general, an NFC circuit allows in connection with NFC antenna to exchange data with another NFC circuit. NFC uses the <NUM> frequency spectrum, and it is defined primarily by ISO <NUM>-<NUM> and ISO <NUM> and ISO <NUM>. NFC components, such as circuits, antennas and readers are commercially available, and NFC readers are integrated in most smartphones.

<FIG> is a schematic representation of an example from the prior art showing use of NFC technology for HVAC systems. A HVAC drive <NUM> has a passive NFC transponder <NUM> that is disposed in the effective range of an active NFC module <NUM> of a mobile service device <NUM>. The mobile service device <NUM> comprises the control module <NUM> configured to control an active NFC module <NUM> of the mobile service device <NUM>, and a user interface <NUM> set up to display identifiers and drive parameters. The HVAC drive <NUM> comprises a control module <NUM> configured to control a communication module <NUM>, a sensor interface <NUM> and a sensor <NUM>, the passive NFC transponder <NUM> and an actuator <NUM>. The active NFC module <NUM> of the mobile service device <NUM> cooperates with the NFC transponder <NUM> of the drive <NUM> via the operative connection <NUM> to read out the unique identifier <NUM> of the drive <NUM> and to read and write drive parameters.

In <FIG>, the HVAC drive <NUM> comprises a fluid connection <NUM> that is connected to a water pipe or air channel. The fluid connection <NUM> may be attached to the housing of the HVAC drive <NUM> such that the housing and the fluid connection <NUM> together form a unit (illustrated with the broken line); the fluid connection <NUM> comprises a control element <NUM>, such as a valve, with which the through-flow quantity of the fluid is controlled. The control element <NUM> is connected to the actuator <NUM> of the drive <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is housed in the housing of the drive <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> comprises a motor with which a mechanical force is generated in order to move the control element <NUM> arranged in the fluid connection <NUM> into a required position.

<FIG> shows a highly schematic cross section of building blocks of HVAC field device <NUM> according to the present disclosure. According to the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the HVAC field device <NUM> comprises a base HVAC device block <NUM> and a first add-on HVAC device block <NUM>. <FIG> shows the HVAC field device <NUM> in an assembled form, wherein the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> are mechanically connected via mechanical or electro-mechanical interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the base HVAC device block <NUM> comprises a connection interface of a first-type <NUM>. The first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> may have a connection interface of the first-type and a connection interface of a second-type <NUM>, wherein the connection interfaces of the first-type and the connection interface(s) of the second-type are configured to be mechanically connectable with each other. In this embodiment, the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> are stacked on each other such that the connection interface of the first type is mechanically connected to the connection interface of the second type of the adjacent add-on HVAC device block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In one embodiment, the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> are electrically connectable. In particular, the interfaces of the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> may be configured to allow a mechanical and an electrical connection.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the base HVAC device block <NUM> comprises: a base housing <NUM>; an electric motor <NUM> and/or a sensor; a base control module <NUM> connected to the electric motor <NUM> and/or the sensors. The base HVAC device block <NUM> further comprises a base near field communication (NFC) circuit <NUM> connected to the base control module <NUM>, for example via an electrical connection 211a, which includes an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) connection. The connection 211a is configured to transfer data and/or power between the base near NFC circuit <NUM> and the base control module <NUM>. The base NFC circuit is configured to be connected to an NFC antenna via an electrical connection 211b. In one embodiment, the base control module <NUM> and the base NFC circuit <NUM> may be integrated on a single electronic board.

Depending on the particular embodiment, the control module <NUM> of the base HVAC device block <NUM> is connected either to the electric motor <NUM> and/or to the sensor. When connected to the electric motor <NUM>, the control module <NUM> is configured to control the electric motor <NUM> in order to implement one or more HVAC control functions. When connected to the sensor, the control module <NUM> is configured to receive and/or process signals representative of operational parameter(s) of the HVAC system, such as a temperature and/or humidity or signals representative of operational parameters of various components of the HVAC system.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the add-on HVAC device block <NUM> comprises: an add-on housing <NUM> and a first add-on NFC antenna <NUM>, positioned inside the housing <NUM>. The base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> are mechanically connected via respective housings <NUM> and <NUM>. The first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is electrically connected to the base HVAC device block <NUM>. The electrical connection between the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> is schematically represented by electrical wires 211b and 211c, which connection establishes the electrical connection between the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> and the base NFC circuit <NUM>. In one embodiment, the electrical connection between the HVAC blocks is achieved through the direct connection via the electromechanical interfaces <NUM>,<NUM>.

The first add-on HVAC block <NUM> may be removably attached or fixedly attached to the base HVAC block <NUM>. The connection between the HVAC device blocks may be achieved using different adhesive and/or fastening means. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the fastening means may be for example latches, snap connections, screws or bolts in order to mechanically connect the adjacent HVAC device blocks. Alternatively, or additionally, the HVAC device blocks are welded together after being connected, in particular by ultrasonic welding or laser welding. According to the specific requirements on the HVAC field device <NUM>, a sealant may be provided at the connection interfaces to seal the HVAC device blocks together, with respect to humidity, dust or other sources of contamination.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> is positioned on top of the base HVAC device block <NUM>. Alternatively, the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> may be positioned on the side of the base HVAC device block <NUM>. In addition, the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> may be connected via an additional HVAC block or additional mechanical interface.

In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is connected to the base NFC circuit <NUM>. In this embodiment, the electrical connection between the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> and the base HVAC device block <NUM> is a direct electrical connection. In this way, the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is operatively coupled to the base NFC circuit <NUM>, and it may provide the power harvested via an inductive coupling with an external active NFC reader device such as a mobile phone. The base control module <NUM> and the first NFC control circuit <NUM> may be advantageously integrated in one electronic circuit. In one embodiment the base control module <NUM> is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), in particular it may be the ASIC that comprises a motor controller.

In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the base HVAC block <NUM> comprises a sensor <NUM> positioned outside the housing <NUM> and connected to the base control module <NUM>. In another embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may be integrated inside the housing or at least one part of the sensor <NUM> may be integrated inside the housing <NUM>. For example, the first element of the sensor may be positioned inside an air channel and it may direct the air into the housing <NUM> where the air is sensed by the second part of the sensor. In another embodiment, the base HVAC block <NUM> may comprise a plurality of sensors for the measurement of operational parameters.

The sensor of <NUM> the base HVAC device block <NUM> is configured to measure a parameter of the HVAC system, in particular an environmental parameter, such as a temperature, humidity, volatile organic component (VOC), particulate matter (PM) and/or CO2 level of an environment controlled by the HVAC system. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor <NUM> of the base HVAC device block <NUM> is provided to measure operational parameters of various components of the HVAC system such as an actuated position of the actuated part and/or the operational state of the HVAC field device and/or other parameters of the HVAC system, such as a flow rate or differential pressure at locations of a fluid through a fluid transportation system.

The HVAC device <NUM> is configured to receive power from the external source or/and it may comprise an internal power source, such as a battery source. The HVAC device <NUM> may also include a temporary energy storage, such as a battery and/or a capacitor. The HVAC device <NUM> may also operate at least with certain extent using the power harvested by the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM>.

<FIG> show a schematic depiction of the HVAC device <NUM> comprising an additional NFC antenna in the base HVAC block <NUM>. In particular, the base HVAC block <NUM> comprises a base NFC antenna <NUM>, positioned inside the housing <NUM>. The base NFC antenna <NUM> and the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> are configured to be connected to the base NFC circuit <NUM> using for example a high-frequency connection <NUM>. The NFC antennas <NUM>,<NUM> may be positioned inside the housings <NUM>,<NUM> of the HVAC device blocks <NUM>,<NUM> or they may be positioned on the top of the housings, or they may be integrated inside the housing <NUM>, <NUM>.

The antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may come in different forms. NFC antenna forms an inductive loop which is configured to inductively couple an NFC circuit to an external device such as a mobile phone. In one embodiment, NFC antenna may comprise an inductive winding and a capacitor for frequency tuning. The capacitor may be positioned closer to the inductive winding, closer to the NFC circuit or shared with a 2nd NFC antenna.

In one embodiment, NFC antennas <NUM> and <NUM> are printed circuit board (PCB) antennas, in particular flexible printed circuit board (FPC) antennas, which is particularly advantageous for saving a space inside a device. Some possible implementations include rectangular shape antennas with the dimensions such as 54x27 mm2, 36x24 mm2 or 24x18mm2. These dimensions are just examples and then not limiting. Other dimensions and shapes of NFC antennas are equally applicable. Advantageously, printed circuit board antennas may also be integrated in a printed circuit board holding other electric components of the field HVAC device <NUM>, thus reducing the total number of components and therefore the costs.

The first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> may be positioned outside of the HVAC field device <NUM> housing <NUM>. In this embodiment, the antenna is connected electrically to the housing <NUM>, for example using a cable.

The positioning of the antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may take different arrangements. In one embodiment they are positioned parallel to each other at distance of <NUM> to <NUM>. According to embodiments, there should be no significant shielding between two antennas, since the shielding may significantly reduce the performance of the add-on NFC antenna <NUM>. When there is a metal object positioned between the two antennas209 and <NUM>, it has to be such or can be modified in such a way that induction of eddy currents would be significantly limited. In addition, a proper capacitance tuning between two antennas is important for the overall antenna performance. Finally, use of a ferrite foil under the add-on NFC antenna and above the base NFC antenna a communication range of the add-on NFC antenna may be improved up to <NUM>%. Following these guidelines, a performance of the first add-on NFC antenna may be similar to the base NFC antenna without need to modify the base HVAC device block.

In the embodiments where both the base HVAC antenna <NUM> and the add-on NFC antenna are present, it is important that tuning capacities are correctly chosen to assure that the resonance frequency of a base HVAC antenna <NUM> and the resonance frequency of both antennas in parallel is kept in a small range around the NFC frequency (e.g. <NUM>). For example, the tuning capacity of the single antenna is chosen to achieve a resonance frequency around the NFC frequency (e.g. <NUM>) when only the base HVAC antenna <NUM> is connected, while the tuning capacity of the add-on HVAC antenna <NUM> is chosen such that when it is connected in parallel to the base NFC antenna <NUM>, that the resonant frequency of both antennas is still around the NFC Frequency (e.g. <NUM>).

<FIG> shows a communication between the HVAC field device <NUM> and an external service device <NUM>. The external service device <NUM> comprises an active NFC module <NUM>. The external service device <NUM> may transfer a signal via an operative connection <NUM>. The mobile service device comprises a user interface having a touchscreen, a display with keypad, etc. The user interface is configured to display identifiers and drive parameters as well as to receive values for drive parameters. In one embodiment, the mobile service device <NUM> comprises a suitably programmed mobile telephone, smartphone, etc., that has an active NFC module <NUM> that is supplied with energy from the battery of the device in question. The transferred signal may contain a configuration data to be used to configure the HVAC field device <NUM>.

The external service device <NUM> may write and/or read an information from/to the HVAC device <NUM> via the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM>. This possibility advantageously allows to perform following functions: identify actuator/sensor by means of NFC ID; configure the actuator/sensor; transmit commands for actuating/operating; read operational data, statistic, and diagnosis data; start functional tests; upgrade firmware of the actuator/sensor.

The drive parameters which may be exchanged between the service device <NUM> and the HVAC field device <NUM> may relate to one or a plurality of the following readable and/or writable parameters: communications address for the HVAC device, such as e.g. an MP-Bus address, etc.; installation site, such as e.g. room, etc.; responsivity and return hysteresis; type of feedback signal; position range within the mechanical limits; run time relative to work area; rotational angle, direction of rotation; stroke, stroke direction; work torque relative to maximum possible torque; work actuating force relative to maximum actuating force, emergency position; time delay until emergency position is attained after power failure; counters for determining a number of voltage interruptions; definition of a behavior if the communications module or the communications connection fails; definition of a behavior when a power supply is switched on; definition of a behavior when keys of the drive are actuated.

Additional parameters that may be exchanged between the service device <NUM> and the HVAC field device <NUM> include read-only parameters such as: voltage source (e.g. 24VDC, 24VAC, 230VAC), number of voltage failures, total operating time, condition of energy storage /supercap, bus type (e.g. MP-Bus, BACnet MSTP or Modbus), bus address and baud rate of bus.

More particular parameters related to the actuators may be a position of driving part (read-only parameter), and read-write parameters such as running time and valve settings: valve size and type, control signal (normal, inverted), control type (open close, <NUM>-Point, <NUM>. 5V-10V, <NUM>-<NUM> V, <NUM> -20mA), and feedback signal (normal, inverted).

More particular parameters related to the sensors may be read-only parameters such as: calibration data, calibration date, output voltage, measurement values, and statistical data; and read-write parameters such as display settings, alarm and warning levels and sources, alarm and warning activation, output signal type (5V-10V, <NUM>-<NUM> V, <NUM>-20mA), evaluation range, output selection (e.g. dew point or relative humidity), and in the case of multiple sensors: selection of analogue output signals.

The base NFC antenna <NUM> and the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> are configured to communicate with the external service device <NUM> when located inside a communication range of the external service device <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, only the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is located inside a communication range of the external service device <NUM>. The exemplary communication range of the first add-on NFC antenna is upto <NUM>, and in a particular case upto <NUM>. In this embodiment, the base NFC antenna <NUM> is physically shielded by the add-on HVAC block <NUM>, and it is not accessible to the service device <NUM>.

In this embodiment, advantageously, the communication range of the HVAC device <NUM> is extended by an add-on NFC communication range of the add-on NFC antenna <NUM>, and furthermore the HVAC device <NUM> is NFC enabled despite of the shielding of the base NFC antenna <NUM> by the add-on HVAC block <NUM>.

The signal from the service device <NUM> is received by the HVAC field device <NUM>, and more particularly by the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is connected to a memory storage where the signal information is stored. The memory storage may be a non-volatile memory, and it may be integrated inside the base NFC circuit <NUM>. This operation may be performed without powering the HVAC device <NUM>, since the add-on NFC antenna <NUM>, and respectively the connected NFC circuit <NUM> or <NUM>, may harvest the power from the active NFC module <NUM> of the service device <NUM>. After the powering of the HVAC field device <NUM>, the received signal may be transferred to the base NFC circuit <NUM> and/or the base control module <NUM> for a further processing of the received signal. The received signal may contain the information related to HVAC device <NUM> configuration parameters. The data stored in the memory of the NFC circuit can be read using the service device <NUM>, while it is powering the NFC circuit. Such data includes configuration and monitoring data.

<FIG> shows a highly schematic cross section of an embodiment of the HVAC field device <NUM> according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> comprises a first add-on control module <NUM> and a first add-on NFC circuit <NUM>. The first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is connected to the first add-on NFC circuit <NUM> and/or the first add-on control module <NUM>. The base control module <NUM> and the first add-on control module <NUM> may be connected through the electrical interface <NUM> between the base HVAC device block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM>. In this embodiment shown in <FIG>, the electrical connection between the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> and the base HVAC device block <NUM> is an indirect electrical connection. In one embodiment, the first add-on control module <NUM> is a microcontroller. In this way, the indirect electrical connection between the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> and the base control module is established. The more complex structure of the first add-on HVAC device block comparing to the embodiment of <FIG> is related to an additional functionality added to the base HVAC block <NUM> by adding the add-on HVAC block <NUM>. The additional computing power of the first add-on control module <NUM> further allows to control the first add-on NFC circuit <NUM>. The additional memory in the first add-on NFC circuit <NUM>, can be used to store more configuration parameters. The memory size of the first add-on NFC circuit <NUM> may be selected to by higher than the memory size of the base NFC circuit <NUM>.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the add-on HVAC device block <NUM> may comprise one or more of:.

Add-on HVAC device block <NUM> according to embodiments disclosed herein may be grouped into several levels:.

<FIG> show a highly schematic cross section of an embodiment of the HVAC field device <NUM> according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the HVAC field device <NUM>, further comprises a second add-on HVAC device block <NUM> positioned on the top of the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM>. The second add-on HVAC device block <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> and the second add-on NFC antenna <NUM>. The second add-on NFC antenna <NUM> may be connected to the first add-on HVAC device block <NUM> via an electrical connection <NUM>. The embodiment shown in <FIG> shows an embodiment wherein the second add-on HVAC block <NUM> is position between the base HVAC block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC block <NUM>. In this embodiment, the second add-on HVAC block <NUM> serves only as an electromechanical interface between the base HVAC block <NUM> and the first add-on HVAC block <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a highly schematic cross section of an embodiment of the HVAC field device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the HVAC field device <NUM> comprises a cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be positioned on the top of the add-on HVAC field device <NUM> or it may be an integrated part of the add-on HVAC device block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> may be positioned inside the cover <NUM> - e.g. inside or underneath a human interaction device/display <NUM> integrated into the cover. Alternatively, the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> may be positioned underneath of the cover <NUM>.

<FIG> shows yet another embodiment of the HVAC field device <NUM> comprising a human interaction device <NUM>. The human interaction device may comprise a keyboard or a touch screen. According to embodiments, the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is positioned substantially underneath the human interaction device <NUM>. In another embodiment, the human interaction device <NUM> is a part of the cover <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> comprises at least two NFC antennas (219a, 219b) positioned at different sides of the first add-on HVAC block <NUM>. Depending on the surroundings at the installation site, the HVAC device <NUM> is sometimes not freely accessible on all sides. The antennas 219a, 219b are attached to or in the housing of the device <NUM> such that at least one of the two antennas remains freely accessible after the HVAC device <NUM> is assembled and installed in the building. If the HVAC device <NUM> is disposed for instance in a corner that is formed by a ceiling and a wall, then one of the antennas 219a, 219b is easily accessible and the operative connection between the active NFC module of the mobile service device <NUM> and the HVAC device <NUM> may be established. In general, this configuration makes sure that at least one of antennas 219a, 219b is accessible after the installation of the HVAC field device <NUM>. In another embodiment, it is possible to install three or more antennas.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of the HVAC field device <NUM>, wherein the base control module <NUM> and the first add-on control module <NUM> both comprises printed circuit boards (PCB). In this embodiment, the base NFC circuit <NUM> and the first add-on NFC circuit <NUM> are both integrated onto respective PCBs and interconnected via an electrical connection <NUM>. The first add-on NFC antenna <NUM> is a flex print antenna positioned on the cover of the add-on HVAC device block <NUM>, while the base NFC antenna <NUM> is integrated on the PCB board.

The HVAC field device <NUM> as described may be incorporated in a HVAC system <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, which shows a HVAC system <NUM> comprising an HVAC field device <NUM> and an actuated part <NUM>, such as a valve and/or a damper, drivingly connected to the electric motor <NUM> of the base HVAC device block <NUM> of the HVAC field device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a highly schematic cross section of an embodiment of the HVAC field device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the HVAC field device <NUM> is configured using the service device <NUM>. The base control module <NUM> comprises a RAM memory <NUM>, and the add-on control module <NUM> comprises a RAM memory <NUM>. The base NFC circuit <NUM> comprises Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) memory <NUM>, while the first add-on NFC circuit <NUM> comprises EEPROM memory <NUM>. The configuration information sent from the service device <NUM> may be received by the antenna <NUM> and stored in the EEPROM memory <NUM> before HVAC field device <NUM> is powered.

The method for configuring an HVAC field device <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, and it comprises the following steps:.

Alternatively, when the base HVAC block comprises a base NFC antenna <NUM>, the step S1 may read as follows:
S1: wirelessly transferring configuration information from a service device to a base HVAC device via the base NFC antenna.

Claim 1:
An HVAC field device (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of HVAC device blocks (<NUM>,<NUM>), the device comprising:
a) a base HVAC device block (<NUM>) comprising:
a base housing (<NUM>);
an electric motor (<NUM>) configured to drive an actuated part (<NUM>),
and/or a sensor (<NUM>) for the measurement of an operational parameter of an HVAC system;
a base control module (<NUM>) connected to the electric motor (<NUM>),
and/or the sensor (<NUM>);
a base NFC circuit (<NUM>) connected to the base control module (<NUM>);
and
b) a first add-on HVAC device block (<NUM>) comprising:
an add-on housing (<NUM>); and
a first add-on NFC antenna (<NUM>),
wherein the base HVAC device block (<NUM>) and the first add-on HVAC device block (<NUM>) are mechanically connected (<NUM>,<NUM>),
and wherein the first add-on NFC antenna (<NUM>) is electrically connected to the base HVAC device block (<NUM>).