Patent ID: 12215879

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic TRV (Thermostatic Radiator Valve) is often used with a heating radiator of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the control of the room temperature by adjusting the flow of hot water to the radiator based on a user desired temperature set point. According to traditional approaches, an electronic TRV has a liquid-crystal display (LCD) for displaying the temperature set point and other TRV information with a fixed display orientation when a user is configuring the set point adjustment. However, there may be different positions of the TRV connection port on the radiator depending on the type of the radiator and the installation location. This variability may result in a different display orientation of the electronic TRV for each installation. Consequently, the user may have difficulty reading TRV information on the liquid-crystal display when the display is in a fixed position.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the liquid-crystal display is configurable to display TRV information for a desired viewing direction to facilitate reading by a user.

FIG.1shows a display for a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)101that is configurable for different viewing orientations101a,101b,101c, and101daccording to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Thermostatic radiator valve101includes display150, which may be configured to support one of four display orientations: a vertical direction, a horizontal-outward position, a horizontal-left position, and a horizontal-right position corresponding to thermostatic radiator valves101a,101b,101c, and101d, respectively, and shown inFIGS.2,3,4, and5, respectively.

Display150may support different types of display technologies. For example, display150may comprise a seven-segment liquid-crystal display (LCD) or a seven-segment light-emitting diode (LED) display. With seven segments, as shown inFIG.1, display150may display digits and various characters. However, embodiments may support display elements with more segments (for example, fourteen) in order to obtain a greater degree of resolution and the capability of supporting a greater number of different characters.

Embodiments may also support display devices that are organized in a two-dimensional array (corresponding to a dot matrix display). A dot matrix display may be manufactured in various dimensions, where electrical components (for example, LED's) are arranged in a matrix pattern,

Display150(for example, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) or a light-emitting diode (LED) display) supports a plurality of display sets including first set151of seven-segment elements in a first direction and second set152of seven-segment elements in a second direction. Typically, only one set is activated at a particular time so that LCD150displays TRV information only one direction.

Thermostatic regulator valve101enables the user to choose the display orientation after completion of installation so that the user can have a proper viewing direction of display150as shown in installation scenarios atFIGS.2-5.

FIG.6shows a thermostatic radiator valve600according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Thermostatic radiator valve600may include computing device601, where the processes (for example, process700shown inFIG.7) discussed herein may be implemented. Computing device601may execute computer-executable instructions accessed from computer readable media, for example, from memory device602. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise a combination of computer storage media and communication media.

Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by the computing device.

Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

Processor601processes TRV data from temperature sensor607(which may include the measured temperature of water flowing through valve603), thermostat interface608(which may include the temperature set point inputted by a user through a thermostat), and configuration circuit610(which may provide display configuration information).

Based on TRV data, processor601controls valve603to regulate heated/cooled water through a radiator of the HVAC system.

Embodiments may support one of different approaches for determining a desired display orientation. For example, embodiments may use a manual selection or an auto sensor detection.

Configuration circuit610may include position sensor605to detect an installation position of thermostatic regulator valve (TRV)600and/or input interface606to obtain user information about a desired orientation of configurable electronic display604.

With some embodiments, position sensor605may include an accelerometer (for example, a 3-axis position sensor) that detects a gravitation force along two directional axes (for example, corresponding to horizontal and vertical directions).

With some embodiments, position sensor605may include an accelerometer and a gyroscope (a 6-axis position sensor) that detects the position of the TRV, for example, the angular position of the TRV in horizontal direction.

With some embodiments, input interface606may interface with an electrical switch and/or push button so that a user can enter a desired display orientation. For example, the user may sequence through different display orientations and stop at the desired display orientation.

With some embodiments, input interface606may interface with a wireless communication module in the device which is connected to a smart home system, so that a user can select a desired display orientation on a remote user interface, such as a mobile app.

Once the desired display orientation is determined (for example, vertical direction, a horizontal-outward position, a horizontal-left position, and a horizontal-right position), processor601may configure configurable electronic display604by applying appropriate signals to electrical pins of display604. For example, when supporting four possible display orientations, processor601may provide appropriate voltage values to two electrical pins in order to select one of the four possible display orientations.

Once electronic display604is configured, processor601may instruct display604to display TRV information through a set of electrical pins to activate the necessary segments or dots of a display matrix.

FIG.7shows process700that may be executed by computing device601(as shown inFIG.6) to support thermostatic radiator valve600.

At block701, process determines whether thermostatic radiator valve600has been installed. For example, installation information (for example, a switch setting) indicative of installation completion may be entered through input device606or the detected positioning from position sensor605is unchanged for at least a predetermined amount of time.

Once installed, thermostatic radiator valve600determines the desired display orientation at block702. For example, position sensor605may provide the position information to select one of four possible display orientations.

At block703, processor601configures electronic display604according to the determined desired display orientation.

After configuring electronic display604, processor601instructs display604to display TRV information (for example, temperature set point) at block704.

FIG.8shows process800that may be executed by computing device601to support thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)600, where position sensor605comprises a 6-axis sensor. For example, the 6-axis sensor may comprise a 3-axis accelerometer (providing X-Y-Z position information) and a 3-axis gyroscope (providing angular information about the X-Y-Z axes such as roll, pitch, and yaw).

As will be discussed in further detail, TRV600determines its position with respect to radiator100a,b,c,d(as shown inFIGS.2-5, respectively). Based on its relative position, TRV600configures it's displays as shown inFIGS.2-5.

At block801process TRV600is aligned to the associated radiator (for example, the front) since the radiator may be oriented differently (for example, along any of the walls or at an angle to the walls) in a space such as a room. With some embodiments, TRV600may have an electrical switch that is activated when TRV600is pushed against a designated surface of the radiator (for example, the front). Alternatively, TRV600may obtain the position data from sensor605, for instance after a pre-defined position threshold is triggered.

With some embodiments, a default position of position sensor605with respect to TRV600is calibrated during manufacturing. When TRV600is removed from the shipping container, processor601may obtain position readings from sensor605and compute the current position.

At block802, process800determines whether TRV600has been installed by detecting whether TRV600has had any movement over a predetermined time duration. If not, process800deems that TRV600has been installed to the radiator. However. embodiments may use other approaches to determine whether installation has been completed. For example, installation information (for example, a switch setting) indicative of installation completion may be entered through input device606or by the detecting water flow through valve603.

When the completion of installation has been detected, TRV600obtains position information about the installed position of TRV600from the 6-axis sensor at block803.

Alternatively, the position sensor605continuously detects the position of the TRV and adjusts the display when a pre-defined threshold is triggered.

At block804, process800determines whether TRV600is in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation from the X-Y-Z position information. If TRV600is in the vertical orientation, process600at block805configures display604as per configuration101aas shown inFIG.1. However, if TRV600is not in the horizontal or vertical orientation (for example, somewhere in between), process800may return back to block802since installation may not have been completed and subsequent movement of TRV600may be detected.

If process800determines that TRV600is installed in the horizontal orientation, process800at block806determines whether TRV600is installed in a horizontal-outward position, a horizontal-left position, or a horizontal-right position. With some embodiments, process800utilizes angular information (for example, the yaw corresponding to rotation movement about the vertical axis). However, if process800at block807detects a horizontal position that is not supported (for example, somewhere between the horizontal-outward position and the horizontal-left position), process800may return back to block802since installation may not have been completed and subsequent movement of TRV600may be detected.

If the determined horizontal position is valid, process800at block808configures display604for the corresponding configuration (configuration101b,101c, or101das shown inFIG.1).

FIG.9Ashows TRV600installed in the vertical position.

When setting up TRV600in the horizontal position, a processor601may detect three different zones for horizontal orientations. For example: −30° to +30°, 30° to 120°, −30° to −120° are shown inFIGS.9B,9C, and9D.

While the embodiment shown inFIGS.2-5show four display orientations (a vertical direction, a horizontal-outward position, a horizontal-left position, and a horizontal-right position) some embodiments may support other display orientations, for example, a horizontal-inward position, a vertical-up position, and/or vertical-down position.

Exemplary Clauses

1. A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the thermostatic radiator valve comprising:a configurable electronic display capable of displaying TRV information in one of a plurality of display orientations;a configuration circuit capable of determining a desired display orientation from the plurality of orientations and generating a display indicator indicative of the desired display orientation; anda processing device capable of receiving the display indicator and configuring the configurable electronic display to display the TRV information in the desired display orientation.2. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 1, wherein the plurality of display orientations comprises a vertical position, a horizontal-outward position, a horizontal-left position, and a horizontal-right position.3. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 1, wherein the configurable electronic display comprises a first set of display elements in a first direction and a second set of display elements in a second direction.4. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 3, wherein each of the display elements comprises seven segments.5. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 3, wherein each of the display elements comprises fourteen segments.6. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 3, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.7. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 3, wherein the configurable electronic display comprises a liquid-crystal display (LCD).8. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 3, wherein the configurable electronic display comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's).9. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 1, wherein the configuration circuit comprises at least one sensor capable of detecting a positioning of the thermostatic radiator valve and determining the desired display orientation from the detected positioning.10. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer.11. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein the configuration circuit waits at least a predetermined amount of time while positioning information from the at least one sensor is unchanged before determining the desired display orientation.12. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein the configuration circuit continuously tracks the position information from at least one sensor and determines the desired display orientation when the corresponding threshold is passed.13. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein the TRV is installed with an inclined position to avoid the ambiguity of the location of the TRV with respective to a user.14. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein a user is able to rotate the TRV to horizontal position once the installation is completed.15. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein a user installs the TRV horizontally to the radiator, wherein the orientation of the LCD is determined by the inclined position of the TRV prior to the horizontal position, for example, setup the LCD orientation and then install the TRV to the radiator.16. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein a user installs the TRV horizontally to the radiator and the orientation of the LCD is divided into three different zones depending on the angular rotation angle.17. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 1, wherein the configuration circuit comprises an input device capable of providing input information and determining the desired display orientation from the input information.18. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 16, wherein the input information is indicative is indicative of a completion of installation.19. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 1, wherein the configurable electronic display comprises a plurality of display elements organized in a matrix configuration.20. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 9, wherein the at least one sensor includes a 6-axis sensor and wherein the 6-axis sensor comprises a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope.21. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 20, wherein the configuration circuit is configured to obtain X-Y-Z position information from the 3-axis accelerometer and is configured to determine whether the thermostatic radiator valve is installed in a vertical orientation or in a horizontal orientation from the X-Y-Z position information.22. The thermostatic radiator valve of clause 21, wherein the configuration circuit is configured to obtain angular position information from the 3-axis gyroscope and is configured to determine the horizontal position from the angular position information when the thermostatic radiator valve in installed in the horizontal orientation.

Aspects of the invention have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this entire disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.