U.S. patent application number 11/668362 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for air vent cover controller & method.
Invention is credited to Mouxiong Wu.
Application Number | 20080009237 11/668362 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38919648 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080009237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Mouxiong |
January 10, 2008 |
AIR VENT COVER CONTROLLER & METHOD
Abstract
An air vent control system. The system has a top plate with a
number of vent openings. The vent openings allow ventilated air to
exit from an air duct port. An air flow control system which has a
first control element arranged with the top plate. The first
control element has a user interface which allows the user to
operate the controller to regulate air flow out of the air duct
port.
Inventors: |
Wu; Mouxiong; (Redmond,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUGHES LAW FIRM, PLLC
PACIFIC MERIDIAN PLAZA, SUITE 302, 4164 MERIDIAN STREET
BELLINGHAM
WA
98226-5583
US
|
Family ID: |
38919648 |
Appl. No.: |
11/668362 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60806563 |
Jul 5, 2006 |
|
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60863938 |
Nov 1, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/256 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/56 20180101;
F24F 11/74 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/256 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/04 20060101
F24F011/04 |
Claims
1. An air vent cover comprising: a. a top plate comprising a
surface area defined by an outer edge, said top plate comprising a
plurality of vent openings, said vent openings allowing ventilated
air to exit from an air duct port; b. an airflow control system
comprising a first control element fixedly arranged with said top
plate surface area, said first control element enabling direct user
interoperation with said airflow control system.
2. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said first
control element further comprises: a first controller surface area
comprising at least about 5% of said top plate surface area, said
first control element maintained within said top plate surface
area.
3. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said first
control element further comprises: a first controller surface area
comprising at most about 85% of said top plate surface area, said
first control element maintained within said top plate surface
area.
4. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said air vent
cover further comprises said first control element maintained along
said outer edge of said top plate.
5. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said air flow
control system further comprises: a controller configured to
regulate airflow about said discharge port of said air duct by
operating a first motor arranged with a first louver arranged to
reduce and enlarge said discharge port.
6. The air vent cover according to claim 5 wherein said air flow
control system further comprises: said controller further
comprising a control application comprising a first set of control
objects configured to send and receive signals to and from said
first motor and said first control element.
7. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said controller
further comprises a first set of vent opening settings comprising a
first close setting and a first open setting.
8. The air vent cover according to claim 7 wherein said first set
of vent opening settings further comprises a first intermediate
setting configured to maintain the vent in an open position between
said first close setting and said first open setting.
9. The air vent cover according to claim 8 wherein said first set
of vent opening settings further comprises a second intermediate
setting, said second intermediate setting configured to maintain
the vents in an open position about greater than said first
intermediate setting and between said first close setting and said
first open setting.
10. The air vent cover according to claim 9 wherein said first set
of vent opening settings further comprises a third intermediate
setting, said third intermediate setting configured to maintain the
vent in an open position about greater than said second
intermediate setting and between said first close setting and said
first open setting.
11. The air vent cover according to claim 10 wherein said first set
of vent opening settings further comprises a fourth intermediate
setting, said fourth intermediate setting configured to maintain
the vent in an open position about greater than said third
intermediate setting and between said first close setting and said
first open setting.
12. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said controller
further comprises a first set of vent event settings comprising a
first set of vent opening settings comprising a first close setting
and a first open setting.
13. The air vent cover according to claim 1 wherein said controller
further comprises a first set of vent event settings, each of said
event settings comprising a first opening setting and a first close
setting.
14. The air vent cover according to claim 13 wherein said first set
of vent event settings further comprises a first event setting.
15. The air vent cover according to claim 14 wherein said first set
of vent event settings further comprises a second event
setting.
16. The air vent cover according to claim 15 wherein said first set
of vent event settings further comprises a third event setting.
17. The air vent cover according to claim 16 wherein said first set
of vent event settings further comprises a fourth vent setting.
18. The air vent cover according to claim 17 wherein said first set
of vent event settings further comprises a fifth vent setting.
19. The vents cover according to claim 1 wherein said controller
further comprises a first set of multi-day settings comprising a
first set of vent event settings comprising a first set of vent
opening settings comprising a first close setting and a first open
setting.
20. An air vent cover comprising: a. a top plate comprising a
surface area defined by an outer edge, said top plate defining a
plurality of vent openings, said vent openings allowing ventilated
air to exit from an air duct port; b. an airflow control system
comprising a first control element arranged within said top plate
surface area, said first control element enabling user
interoperation with said airflow control system; c. said air flow
control system further comprising a controller configured to
regulate airflow about said discharge port of said air duct by
operating a first motor arranged with a first louver arranged to
reduce and enlarge said discharge port; a. said controller further
comprising a control application comprising a first set of control
objects configured to send and receive signals to and from said
first motor and said first control element.
21. An air flow control system comprising: a. a controller
configured to regulate airflow about a discharge port of an air
duct, said controller interoperating with a first set of control
elements and a control application; b. said first set of control
elements comprising: a first motor configured to interoperate with
a first louver to reduce and enlarge said discharge port, a first
user interface configured for a user to operate said control
system; c. said control application comprising a first set of
control objects configured to interoperate with said first set of
control elements; d. an air vent cover configured to maintain said
controller and said first set of control elements in relation to
said discharge port of said air duct.
22. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first set
of control elements further comprises a clock element for execution
of a user defined event.
23. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first set
of control elements further comprises a flow monitor for monitoring
the airflow rate out of said air duct port.
24. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first set
of control elements further comprises a temperature monitor for
monitoring of air temperature exiting said air duct port.
25. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first set
of control elements further comprises a moisture monitor for
monitoring air moisture content at said air duct port.
26. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first set
of control elements further comprises a filter for monitoring
particulate at said air duct port.
27. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
user interface further comprises an LCD display for user operation
of said controller.
28. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
user interface further comprises a keypad for user operation of
said controller.
29. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
user interface further comprises a manual switch for user operation
of said controller.
30. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
user interface further comprises a control knob for user operation
of said controller.
31. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
user interface further comprises a capacative touch sensor for user
operation of said controller.
32. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
user interface further comprises a client for interoperation with
said controller.
33. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises a clock component for execution of
user defined events.
34. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises a time component to maintain at
least one user defined event.
35. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises an airflow component for setting
the airflow rate to exit said air duct port.
36. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises a temperature component for
setting the desired temperature exiting said air duct port.
37. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises a moisture component for setting
the desired air-moisture content exiting said air duct port.
38. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises an input component.
39. The airflow system according to claim 21 wherein said first
control object further comprises a manual component.
40. A method for regulating air discharging from an air duct port
said method comprising: a. maintaining an air vent cover at said
air duct port, said air vent cover comprising a top plate
comprising a surface area defined by an outer edge, said top plate
defining a plurality of vent openings, b. arranging a first control
element of an airflow control system within said top plate surface
area, said first control element enabling a user to operate said
air flow control system by; c. sending an open or close signal from
said first control element to a controller within said air flow
control system, said controller operating a first motor arranged
with a first louver to reduced or enlarge said air duct port
thereby regulating said air discharge.
41. A system for regulating air discharging from an air duct port
said system comprising: a. means for maintaining an air vent cover
at said air duct port, said air vent cover comprising a top plate
comprising a surface area defined by an outer edge, said top plate
defining a plurality of vent openings, b. means for arranging a
first control element of an airflow control system within said top
plate surface area, said first control element enabling a user to
operate said air flow control system by; c. means for sending an
open or close signal from said first control element to a
controller within said air flow control system, said controller
operating a first motor arranged with a first louver to reduced or
enlarge said air duct port thereby regulating said air discharge.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No.
60/806,563 filed Jul. 5, 2006 and U.S. Ser. No. 60/863,938, filed
Nov. 1, 2006.
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,124 discloses an automated airflow
system and method, wherein an automated register is coupled to at
least one sensor for providing data associated with the structure.
The register is configured to automatically provide airflow into
the structure in response to the sensor data. As seen in column 2
around line 3, in the Summary section, "an automated register is
configured to receive temperature data from at least one
temperature sensor and at least one zone and to control the flow of
conditioned air into at least one zone in response to the
temperature data. The base station in communication with the
automated register is adapted to be coupled to an airflow source
for providing the conditioned air."
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,866 discloses a method and apparatus for
delivering conditioned air using pulse modulation, where the method
uses short duty cycles during which a damper is fully open for a
time and fully closed for the remaining time. As seen in the
Summary of the Invention section in column 3 around line 40,
"dampers are uniquely constructed to maintain the space at a set
point temperature by opening during part of each relatively short
duty cycle and closing during the remainder of the cycle. Duty
cycles occur intentionally faster than any temperature changes that
the thermal sensor can detect."
[0004] US 2004/0209566 discloses a multiple mode damper actuator,
for a ventilation damper which serves as both a control device and
a fire and smoke rated device. In the Summary of the Invention
section in paragraph [0010], "the subject invention . . .
[provides] a damper system that incorporates both modulating
control and fire and smoke control. [A] duel mode actuator for a
damper that disengages modulating control circuitry when a detected
temperature exceeds a threshold, and engages a simpler temperature
resilient control circuitry for the actuator that moves the
damper."
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,349 discloses a computer-controlled air
vent which, as seen in the Summary of the Invention section in
column 2 around line 66, "includes a top plate, a base connected to
the top plate, a component housing connected to the top plate and
to the base, a plurality of louvers rotatably positioned within the
base, a forced generating means connected to the louvers to rotate
them between open and closed position, temperature sensor to sense
an indoor temperature, a computer processor, memory, wireless
transceiver, a bus to connect the processor, wireless transceiver,
and memory, and a remote control device to control the opening and
closing of louvers."
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,677 discloses a vent control system,
which controls the opening and closing of vents within a structure.
As seen in column 4 around line 33 in the Summary of the Invention
section, "the present invention relates generally to vents and more
specifically to heating and cooling vents able to be both opened
and closed from a central location, thereby controlling the flow of
heat and cool to a specific area of the structure and reducing the
heating and cooling cost of the structure." Further down at line
41, "the present invention is to provide a vent control system
which is able to be electronically operated from a single main
control panel open and close a vent cover. A further object of the
present invention is to provide a vent control system wherein the
main control panel includes buttons located thereon for controlling
respective vents of the system."
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,545 discloses a climate control system,
that allows independent heating and cooling control of the
different rooms in a building by independently controlling the flow
of heating fluid in each room in response to a thermostat provided
in each individual room. In the Summary of the Invention section
around line 32, "in the present invention, the output of the
thermostat controls the operation of a three-way valve upstream of
a radiator or convector in each room. When the room temperature is
at or above the set point for that room during a heating cycle, the
valve operates to divert all heating fluid flow through a bypass
pipe or shunt extending from the valve to the outlet of the
radiator or convector."
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,319 discloses dwelling heating and
air-conditioning system, which is a retrofitted heating and
air-conditioning system for a single-family dwelling, including a
heater and air-conditioning furnace system connected to individual
zones of the building by a series of output ducts. In the Brief
Summary of the Invention section in column 2 around line 41, "[The]
present invention . . . includes a heater and air-conditioning
furnace system, a series of output ducts extending from the furnace
to individual rooms or zones of the dwelling, controllable output
register units at each duct opening into a zone, thermostats for
each individual zone, and a central controller for controlling the
furnace system and the individual zone registers. The system
preferably also includes a master controller for selecting
temperature conditions for each zone and for sending signals to a
central controller."
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,966 discloses a powered damper having
automatic static duct pressure relief, where as seen in the
Disclosure of the Invention section in column 2 around line 14,
"according to the present invention a damper controlling the flow
of conditioned air supplied through a supply duct to a conditioned
space is provided. The damper includes a support housing which
defines a flow passage which communicates the supply duct with the
conditioned. A plurality of damper plates are mounted within the
support housing for pivotal movement about respective spaced apart
parallel axis. A blade interconnects the damper plates in a ganged
relation so that a common pivoted orientation of the damper blades
is determined by the position of the blade link . . . means are
provided for selectively exerting a force on the blade link which
will either move the link toward the second position to increase
the flow of air through the damper or for exerting a force on the
blade link to move the link toward the first position to decrease
the flow of air through the damper."
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,455 discloses an air temperature control
system, where as seen in column 1 around line 45, "the present
invention there is provided an air temperature control system for
individually controlling air temperature in each of a plurality of
rooms, which is connected to a mouth of an air duct providing a
supply of air at a controlled temperature into each of these rooms
respectively, exceeds a first pre-selected temperature level and a
second signal when the air temperature drops to the first and
second signals to selectively open and close the vents, thereby
controlling the flow of the temperature controlled air supply
through the ducts into the rooms respectively for maintaining the
air temperature in each of the rooms in the range between the first
and second temperature levels."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the system
components;
[0012] FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of and alternative
embodiment of the system;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the user interface;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a flow chart of one embodiment of the control
application;
[0015] FIG. 2B is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
user interface;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
user interface;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a flow chart of one embodiment of the control
application;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the unit casing;
[0019] FIG. 4A is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
top plate and user interface arrangement;
[0020] FIG. 4B is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
top plate and user interface arrangement;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
louver system;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the controller, motor and
sensors.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Generally speaking, a single unit is provided in the current
embodiment to replace a pre-existing vent cover. The single unit
consists of one or more vent openings which can be operated by a
controller to open and close at different times during the course
of for example a 24-hour day. Located at the midpoint of the unit
is a casing middle section which holds the controlling unit. The
controller tracks the time of the day, the day of the week, and is
programmable to control various settings of the one or more
openings of the vent unit for different periods of the 24-hour day
and seven-day week.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, there is a central controller
having a program which can be used to set and download to the local
controller, various settings for individual units. The central
controller with the main program is connected to the individual
units either through a LAN connection or through a wireless type
connection. In this embodiment, an LCD interface is not required
for the individual units, and the interface LCD unit being placed
only on the main controller.
[0025] In the current embodiment, and referring to FIG. 1, an
operational control schematic with various components is shown for
the programmable heating and cooling vent cover unit 10. At the
center of the schematic is located a controlling unit 12, which may
be provided as a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic
device (PLD), or other digital logic controlling device which
enables a user to send and receive digital and analog signals for
operating and interfacing with the various hardware. Generally
speaking, the user interface can take the form of a liquid crystal
display or LCD, keypad, various switches and dials, control knob,
or a capacitive touch sensor which acts as the user interface
panel.
[0026] The MCU 12, in this particular embodiment, stores the
user-defined vent close/open settings. The MCU 12, utilizes a ROM,
in this particular embodiment, an EEPROM, which holds the control
logic embodied in various microcontroller applications or control
applications, which will be discussed below.
[0027] A description of one embodiment of the present system will
now be provided. The micro controlling unit has an internal clock,
which tracks the time of day, as well as the day of the week to
provide for actuation of the motor 14 operating the vents as will
be discussed below. Referring to FIG. 1A, either through the use of
the clock component 216 maintained within the control application
as a control object 214, or the other control objects 214 such as
the input component 226 or the manual component 228, signals are
sent to initiate various settings to control the motor 14 as seen
in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, five vent settings in the vent
opening setting fields 400 are operable including: a full closed
setting 402, a 1/4 open setting 404, a 1/2 open setting 406, a 3/4
open setting 408, and a 100% open setting 410.
[0028] While the present embodiment utilizes a 25% change in vent
opening settings, the overall concept is not limited to such a
particular percentage variation. For example, referring to FIG. 2B,
the event opening settings 400 can include a full closed setting
420, a 1/2 open setting 422 and a full open setting 424.
Furthermore, the indications for open, closed, and variations in
between are represented by various graphical symbols such as a bar,
shaded, half shaded, or fully shaded oval or circle, as well as
textual indications displayed on an LCD screen or on the previously
mentioned touch screen.
[0029] Lastly, referring to FIG. 3, in regard to the vent settings
400, a simple open time setting 430 and a close time setting 432
are provided for initializing the open and close events.
[0030] The settings themselves are maintained within the digital
logic language programming maintained in the ROM of the
microcontroller, and in one form are software components for
control objects as seen in FIG. 1A, and as initialized in flow
charts as seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A.
[0031] The time component 218 maintains the various vent open/close
settings. During the execution of an open/close time event
component 302, or during the execution of an automatic setting
component 322 as seen in FIG. 3A, the control application 212 will
signal the motor to operate the gears and/or the vents for various
periods of rotation or until a break event occurs.
[0032] Referring to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) and discussing in
detail the hardware of the present embodiment, the controlling unit
12 also holds the LCD driver circuit 20 which interfaces with the
liquid crystal display component 22. The unit 10 is driven by a
power source which can be external or internal. The internal power
source is configured as batteries 24. Furthermore, the controlling
unit 12 interfaces with a digital to analog converter to drive the
motor driver controller 26. The power supply interfaces with a
power management circuit 28 which regulates the power for the
controlling unit 12.
[0033] In a first embodiment, the user interface is an LCD display
unit 22 as previously mentioned in FIG. 1. In a first embodiment of
the LCD display, as seen in FIG. 2, there is a day of the week
interface 30. This day of the week user interface 30 consists of a
plurality of buttons which allow the user to preset the vent
close/open setting at different times of the day and at different
days of the week. Three operational modes in this particular day of
the week interface display 30 include: an auto operational mode 32,
a setting operational mode 34, and an off operational mode 36.
[0034] In the off operational mode 36, the unit is completely
turned off and the gear connected to the motor 14 (FIG. 1) as
discussed below, will stay at the position set prior to the unit
being switched to the off operational mode 36.
[0035] In the setting operational mode 34, the user can control the
gear or vent 100 (FIG. 4), to be discussed below, by a simple
operation of an open incremental setting button 38, and/or the
close incremental setting button 40 to the desired opening
parameters of the vents 100.
[0036] In the auto operational mode 32, the stored vent settings
400 saved in the control application 212 will take control. A
detailed discussion of this setting will now take place. For every
day of the week, the user can set up to five event settings 426. In
an alternative embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2B, while only one
24-hour period during the current time clock, the user can set up
to four event settings 426 during this 24-hour period.
[0037] For the user interface, as seen in FIG. 2, these event
settings include a full close setting, a 1/4 close setting, a 1/2
close setting, a 3/4 close setting, and a full open setting. The
settings can be adjusted and programmed for five specific periods
of the day from minute No. 00:01 of a 24-hour clock, to minute No.
23:59 of the 24-hour clock.
[0038] During the setting operational mode 34, the user can set the
system into a programming mode by pushing the programming button
42, on the front of the panel 44 located below the day of the week
LCD interface 30. To change the previously set settings, the user
can utilize the directional buttons 46, which include a scroll up
button 48, a scroll down button 50, a scroll right button 52, and a
scroll left button 54.
[0039] The user will use the above-mentioned directional buttons to
scroll between the various selectable areas. The currently selected
area or in other words (the hot area or the highlighted area) can
be chosen. The highlighted area would be defined as any of the user
interface settings that can be accessed and changed by the user.
Once the user moves to the desired highlighted area, the user can
use the close increment setting button 40, or the open increment
setting button 38 to change the desired setting. To save the change
and exit the program, the user simply pushes the program button 42
once again.
[0040] An operational process will now be discussed utilizing a
control application 212, as seen in FIG. 2A, for either the user
interface day of the week 30, as seen in FIG. 2, or the second
embodiment, the single 24-hour multifunction user interface 450, as
seen in FIG. 2B.
[0041] After accessing the control application 212 through the user
interface, the user can set the current time component at step 310.
This includes various sub steps such as holding the time button
down for one second at step 312, then selecting the hours or
minutes at step 316 for changing the hour and minute clock, then
pressing the time button again at step 320 to save and exit.
[0042] The user can set the automatic settings at step 322 by, for
example, holding down the program button 42, as seen in FIG. 2, and
performed at step turn 24 for one second, then selecting either
hours or minutes by utilizing the right scroll arrow button 54 or
the left scroll arrow button 52 at step 326, depending on the
particular time element chosen (hours or minutes), user can change
the value at step 328 by utilizing the up increment setting button
40 or the down increment setting button 38. To scroll between
various events settings for 26, the user can choose a next setting
at step 330 by utilizing the up scroll button 48 or the down scroll
button 50. Once the desired settings are entered, the user can save
and exit at step 322 by holding the program button 42 for one
second.
[0043] The user can manually control the vent by utilizing the
manual open or close component at step 324. This includes in one
form utilizing the close increment setting button 40 and the open
increment setting button 38 to fix the position of the vent opening
at step 336 and then if the user desires to maintain this
particular fixed position, the user can turn the system off at step
338.
[0044] In the third embodiment of the control system (referring to
FIG. 3), a 24-hour clock LCD interface 60 is provided. The user
controls are provided on a control panel 61 which in this
particular embodiment is arranged along the bottom portion of the
LCD interface 60, and the right hand portion of the LCD interface.
Only two event settings are available, an open event time component
64 and a close event time component 66.
[0045] Similar to the first embodiment above, the third embodiment
has an auto operational mode 70, a manual operational mode 68, and
an off operational mode 66. The user can choose the manual
operational mode 68 and utilize an open vent button 72 and a close
vent button 74. Optionally, the open and close buttons can
incrementally open and close the vent 100 as seen in FIG. 4, and as
previously mentioned, either by a full close setting, a 1/4 close
setting, and 1/2 close setting, a 3/4 close setting, and a full
open setting.
[0046] The interface 60 includes a current time clock field 62, a
vent open time field 64, and a vent close time field 66. In an
optional mode for each of the various time settings, incremental
setting buttons are provided for the hour and minutes. The hour
buttons 76 and the minute buttons 78 both have an incremental up
interface button 80 and an incremental down interface button
82.
[0047] A discussion of the operational process utilizing the
control application 212 as seen in FIG. 3A will now be provided as
it relates to the use of the 24-hour clock user interface 60 as
seen in FIG. 3.
[0048] The user can enter into an editing mode to set the current
time component at step 300 by moving the switch to the setting
position 67 and then using the incremental up button 80 and the
incremental down button 82 to set the current hour and minute as
well as am/pm time settings.
[0049] Additionally, the user can set the vent open time component
64 by initiating the open/close time event component step 302. In
order to do so, the user can move the switch to the setting/edit
mode 67 position and use the arrow key to set when the user wants
the vent to open.
[0050] Similarly, the user can access the vent close time component
66 through the same open/close time event component step 302 and
using the arrow keys adjacent to the vent close time component 66,
set the desired close time.
[0051] To begin the automatic control, the user can initiate a
start automatic control component at step 304 by in one form moving
the switch 68 to the "on" setting 70. The user can temporarily
control the unit as seen in the manual open/close component step
306 by, in one form, using the open button 72 and the close button
74 to override any automatic control settings and turn the vent
into an open position or a close position.
[0052] If the user wishes to maintain the vent in an open or closed
position permanently, the user can initiate an always open/close
setting component at step 308. This setting in one form requires
the user to move the button 68 to the off position 66.
[0053] While the 24-hour clock interface 60 utilizes an LCD display
as well as push buttons and sliding switches, a capacitive touch
sensor user face can replace these analog controls with digital
controls
[0054] Referring to FIG. 1A, in an additional alternative
embodiment, an airflow control system 200 utilizes the
microcontroller unit 12 as previously discussed, which receives
power 22 from the power management circuit 28. The microcontroller
unit 12 interoperates by sending and receiving signals to a series
of control elements 210. These control elements which include
hardware components such as a motor 230, a clock 232, a flow
monitor 234, a temperature monitor 236, a moisture monitor 238, a
filter 240, and user interfaces 242. As previously mentioned, the
user interface can include a liquid crystal display device, or in
the alternative a manual on/off switch, a knob control, slide
actuation controllers, keypads, or connection with remote
clients/computers.
[0055] The microcontroller unit 12 maintains a memory and resident
in the memory is a control application 212 can initialize various
control objects 214. These control objects include a clock
component 216, a time component 218, an airflow component 220, a
temperature component 222, a moisture component 224, an input
component 226, and a manual component 228. The time component 218
stores the hour and minutes, days, and week of the various user
defined events for regulation of the airflow. The airflow component
220 correlates these events with the amount of discharge area that
the vent is set for. The temperature component 222 maintains,
stores, and compares the air temperature immediately exiting the
air duct with the preset temperature settings the user desires
exiting the duct. The moisture component 224 maintains, monitors,
and compares the humidity setting in the air to the user's desired
humidity levels. The input component 226 maintains the user defined
data. The manual component 228 enables the user to digitally turn
the application on and off.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, a discussion of the unit casing and
mechanical operation will now be provided. In this present
embodiment, the entire unit is powered with batteries stored in a
battery compartment 120. In the alternative, an external energy
source may be wired in place of the batteries and battery
compartment 120. A gearbox 122 holds the gear mechanism which is
used to control the opening and closing of the vents 100.
[0057] In replacement of a standard vent cover, a top cover 124 is
provided which enables the user to have access to the LCD and
controller panel 126 through the use of an LCD panel cover 128. The
air vents 130 are placed on either side of the vent LCD panel cover
128. The surface area, which is maintained by the LCD panel cover
128, is approximately one quarter of the entire surface area
provided by the top cover 124.
[0058] While the LCD controller panel 126 in this particular
embodiment is maintained within the top cover 124 of the air vent,
and maintained within the general path of the airflow exiting the
air vent port, other embodiments provided herein, as seen in FIGS.
4A and 4B position the controller panel 126 outside of the drug
flow of the air exiting the air vent port, thus reducing or
minimizing the obstruction of the airflow exiting the air vent port
but also maintaining the controller adjacent to the outer edge of
the air vent port and connected to the top cover 124.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 4A, a side controller arrangement 500 is
shown where the top cover 124 is positioned above the air vent port
and the air vents 130 within the top cover 124 are free from
obstruction by the user interface or controller panel 126 which is
maintained along one of the longitudinal end edges 502.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4B, a bottom controller arrangement 510 is
shown where the top cover 124 is positioned above the air vent port
and the top cover vents 100 are free from obstruction of the
controller panel 126 which is maintained along one of the
transverse end edges 512.
[0061] While the embodiments discussed herein and described below
with regard to the mechanical operation of the air vent cover
regulate the airflow through either a sliding louvered two-piece
system 150 as seen in FIG. 5, or a pivoting axial vent arrangement
100 as seen in FIG. 4, other designs include control of the air
vent within the top cover 124 through a pivoting air vent system as
well as maintaining a sliding louvered two-piece system at the top
wall.
[0062] Furthermore, the current embodiment as seen in FIG. 4 as
previously mentioned is approximately one quarter of the entire
surface area provided by the top cover 124. While the present
embodiment is approximately 25% of the entire surface area of the
top cover, it is conceived that the controller panel 126 as well as
the LCD panel cover 128 may have surface areas which are as small
as 0% maintained within the top cover to as great as nearly 100% of
the top cover 124.
[0063] Thus air flow is minimally impacted by the insertion of the
LCD controller 126 and the unit itself. In one embodiment, the
battery cover and battery compartment are placed so that the
batteries can be accessed from the top cover 124. In a second
alternative embodiment, the battery cover is located along the
sidewall 136 of the unit casing 140. The unit casing 140 or main
box 140 has a rectilinear configuration which matches the standard
rectilinear configuration of the vent and ductwork which is
standard in the industry.
[0064] Where the bottom wall would normally be to close off the
main box 140, gear vents 100 are placed to enable the opening and
closing of the bottom wall surface 142 to allow the opening and
closing of the unit through the actuation of the gear system and
the gear box 122.
[0065] In an alternative embodiment to the vents (as shown in FIG.
4), the vent system (as seen in FIG. 5) includes a sliding louver
two-piece system 150. This two-piece louver system 150 includes a
static frame section 152 and a dynamic moving section 154. The
static frame section is permanently attached to the sidewalls 140
of the main box where the bottom wall would be located. A plurality
of vent openings 156 are defined by horizontal walls 158 spaced
longitudinally at regular intervals. Two gear mechanisms 160 with
radially aligned teeth extend a slight vertical distance outwards
from the gearbox 162 and provide for mechanization of the dynamic
moving section 154.
[0066] In this particular embodiment, the gear mechanisms 160 will
mate with horizontally aligned downwardly projecting vertical teeth
162 on the bottom face of the dynamic section 154. The dynamic
section 154 will be able to move in the longitudinal direction 164
enabling the dynamic section walls 166 to be aligned with the
horizontal walls 158 of the static section 152 while also providing
for alignment of the dynamic section openings 168 with the static
vent openings 156 to provide for air flow.
[0067] The dynamic section 154 can be moved incrementally by the
radially aligned teeth of the gears 160 to the previously mentioned
1/4 close setting, 1/2 close setting, 3/4 close setting, full close
setting, or full open setting. During the full close setting, the
gears 160 move the dynamic section 154 to align the dynamic section
walls 166 with the static section openings 156 to close off the air
flow from the vent.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, a discussion will now be provided of
one embodiment of the controller 12 operating the motor 14 which
acts to move the vent opening to the desired position based on the
control settings.
[0069] Power to the system is sent from the battery current lines
264 to the controller which, as previously discussed and seen in
FIG. 1, has a power management circuit 28 which regulates the
desired amplitude and also manages the power for the motor which is
sent through the motor current lines 250 to the motor 14.
Furthermore, current is also sent through breaker control lines 266
which will be discussed below.
[0070] A number of signal operators send and receive analog current
information which is then processed by the controller. The signal
operators include an open breaker 256, a close breaker 254, as well
as a midpoint breaker 257. When the open event signal is sent to
the motor from the controller, the current through the motor
current lines 250 moves in the open direction which then enables
the motor to actuate the cylindrical gear teeth 262 and rotate
along the linear gear track 260 fixedly attached to the dynamic
moving section 154 (FIG. 5). Before the cylindrical gear teeth 262
reach the end of the linear gear track 260, a breaker post 252,
which is also rigidly attached to the dynamic moving section 154,
initiates contact with an open breaker 256. This open breaker
closes a circuit and sends a signal to the controller which then
interrupts the motor current open direction to disengage the vent
opening process.
[0071] Similarly, when the controller is operating the motor in the
close direction, the breaker post 252 will initiate physical
contact with the close breaker 254 which sends a signal to the
controller that the dynamic moving section 154 has reached the
desired close location for the vents.
[0072] In order to maintain a half open or have close position, a
midpoint breaker post 258 is arranged to initiate a stop current
signal to the controller when the linear gear track 260 initials
contact with the midpoint breaker post 258.
[0073] While the present embodiment has three breaker sensors,
other arrangements can achieve the same desired control. For
example, maintaining the open and close currents for a specific
period of time which correlates to periods of rotation of the
cylindrical gear teeth 262 along the linear gear track 260. Also,
providing fewer or additional breakers within the particular system
to maintain more or less incremental opening and closing
distances.
[0074] In operation, the user may set the current time and date for
the first time the user uses the unit. Afterwards, the second step
includes the user programming the unit to set the opening setting
for different time periods of the day and different days of the
week. Optionally, in the second alternative embodiment, the user
will set the opening and closing settings for different parts of
the day only. The unit will is provided with certain factory
presets. Lastly in the third step, the user will simply replace the
current vent located in the household or building, with the
provided vent unit to control the air flow out of the ductwork to
the particular space. The unit is thus designed to have the same
overall dimension as previously mentioned, and to thus directly
replace the current vent cover being used for most of standard
ductwork in US households.
[0075] While the present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided by way of illustration only so that this
disclosure will be thorough, complete and will convey a portion of
the intended scope of the invention as discussed in this particular
embodiment to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications
and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to those
skilled in the art to which this invention likely pertains, and
which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure
and the drawings.
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