Patent Application
20240183577
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning HVAC field device, an HVAC field device and to an HVAC system.
As people spend an estimated 90% of their time indoors, Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning HVAC systems have become of great importance to everyday life and have a great impact on people's health and comfort. In the field of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning, HVAC systems typically comprise a fluid transportation system connected to a heat exchanger arranged such as to be able to transfer thermal energy to or from the environment to be controlled (referred to hereafter as controlled environment) by means of a fluid circulating in said fluid transportation system. In order to be able to regulate the flow of fluid to/from the heat exchanger and hence the amount of thermal energy transferred, the heat exchanger is connected to the fluid transportation system via one or more actuated parts, such as valves and dampers. The actuated parts are mechanically controlled by HVAC actuators, including motorized HVAC actuators coupled to the actuated part. In the field of HVAC, 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, CO2 or dust particle levels. 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, the operational state of an HVAC actuator.
HVAC systems commonly comprise an HVAC controller configured to generate control signal(s) for operating the HVAC actuator(s) and/or process signals from the HVAC sensors. In typical HVAC applications, the HVAC controller(s) generate the control signals for the HVAC actuators according to various control algorithms (e.g. with regards to differential pressure, room temperature, flow of energy, etc.) to thereby actuate the actuators, such as to open and close an orifice of a valve or damper to regulate the flow of fluid to and from heat exchanger(s).
Certain control functions of HVAC systems may be performed from a remote server arranged remote from the controlled environment, 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.
In summary, devices of HVAC systems may be categorized into two categories by their location with respect to the controlled environment: remote devices and field devices. Field devices comprise devices of an HVAC system which are located within the controlled environment or 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.
With increasing complexity of HVAC systems, there is an ever increasing demand for a wide variety of field devices implementing various electrical and/or mechanical functions. Even for the same function, a range of HVAC field devices are required to cover a wide array of use cases each characterized by different parameters. For example, for the mechanical function of actuating a valve or a damper, different variants of a certain type of HVAC actuator are required to cover a wide range of flow regulation by means of valves of different sizes, requiring different actuation forces (e.g. a torque ranging from 1 Nm up to 160 Nm or even more). Different variants of HVAC actuators are also required to cover different power supplies and also different actuation times. Furthermore, the nature of the controlled environment also leads to varying demands on the HVAC field devices. For example, special variants of HVAC field devices are needed to be suitable for use in harsh environments. In addition, depending on the architecture of the HVAC system, various variants of HVAC field devices are needed to cover the different types of connectivity requirements.
Covering such a wide range of mechanical functions, electrical functions and suitable for such a wide range of environments, results in a very high number of combinations of HVAC field devices that need to be manufactured, serviced and maintained. Using known methods of manufacturing, satisfying such demand for a wide range of HVAC field devices is complex and therefore costly for manufacturers. In addition to complex and costly manufacturing, the function of known HVAC field devices is often difficult to expand or alter without having to exchange the entire HVAC field device.
In order to address the need to provide a wide range of HVAC devices in a large number of different configurations without having to manufacture a specific type HVAC field device for each possible combination of functions and/or parameters, according to EP2902681B1, an HVAC actuator is assembled from a base HVAC device block having a connection interface and an add-on device block connected to the connection interface of the base HVAC device block, the add-on HVAC device block extending the function of the base HVAC device block. However, according to EP2902681B1, in order to provide a function which is not supported by either the base HVAC device block or by the installed add-on HVAC device block, the installed add-on HVAC device block must be exchanged for another add-on HVAC device block. This greatly limits the capabilities of extending the function of a base HVAC device block to the additional functions provided by a single add-on HVAC device block. Embodiments of EP2908720B1 propose adding a second connection interface to the base HVAC device block to accommodate a second add-on HVAC device block. However, on one hand, merely multiplying the number of connection interfaces of EP2902681B1 is greatly limited by the available physical space on the housing of the base HVAC device block. On the other hand, multiplying the number of connection interfaces necessitates decreasing the physical dimensions of the connection interface—to allow the base HVAC device block to accommodate more add-on HVAC device blocks—which weakens the structural rigidity/integrity of the assembled HVAC field device. Furthermore, connecting all the add-on HVAC device blocks directly to the base HVAC device block has the disadvantage that exchanging the base HVAC device block requires all add-on HVAC device blocks to be disconnected.
It is an object of embodiments disclosed herein to provide a method of manufacturing of HVAC devices that—at least partially—addresses the disadvantages of known methods of manufacturing HVAC field devices.
In particular, it is an object of embodiments disclosed herein to provide a method of manufacturing an HVAC field device that overcomes the restrictions of prior art methods with respect to the flexibility and extent of providing various electrical and/or mechanical functions to an HVAC field device.
The above-identified objective is addressed according to the present disclosure by a method of manufacturing an HVAC field device from a plurality of HVAC device blocks, comprising the steps of a) providing a base HVAC device block; b) providing one or more add-on HVAC device block(s); and c) stacking the base HVAC device block and the one or more add-on HVAC device block (s).
The base HVAC device block—provided according to step a) of the method of manufacturing an HVAC field device—comprises: a housing; an electric motor and/or a sensor; a connection interface; and an electronic circuit connected to the electric motor and/or the sensor. The electric motor is arranged within the housing and arranged—upon the HVAC field device being installed—to drive an actuated part. 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, 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 liquid through a fluid transportation system. The connection interface of the base HVAC device block is of a first-type and is arranged in particular on an external surface of the housing. Depending on the particular embodiment, the electronic circuit of the base HVAC device block is connected either to the electric motor and/or to the sensor. Connected to the electric motor, the electronic circuit is configured to control the electric motor in order to implement one or more HVAC control functions. Connected to the sensor, the electronic circuit is configured to receive and/or process signals representative of the measured parameter(s) of the HVAC system.
The one or more add-on HVAC device block(s) provided according to step b) of the method of manufacturing an HVAC field device—each comprise a housing and a connection interface of the first-type and a connection interface of a second-type. According to embodiments disclosed herein, the housing can but does not have to enclose all parts of the respective add-on HVAC device block. The connection interfaces of the first-type and the connection interface(s) of the second-type of the add-on HVAC device block(s) are configured to be mechanically connectable with each other. In particular, the shape and dimensions of the first-type and second-type connection interfaces are such as to allow one to mechanically connect to the other.
After the base HVAC device block and the one or more add-on HVAC device block(s) required for the required HVAC functions have been provided, in a step c) of the method of manufacturing an HVAC field device according to the present disclosure, the base HVAC device block and the one or more add-on HVAC device block(s) are stacked. Depending on the arrangement of the connection interfaces on the respective housings, the HVAC device blocks are stacked on top of each other, side by side or a combination thereof.
Upon stacking, the connection interface of the first type is mechanically connected to the connection interface of the second type of adjacent HVAC device blocks.
Manufacturing an HVAC field device by stacking according to the method of the present disclosure, is advantageous as stand-alone function(s) of a base HVAC device block (i.e. function(s) provided by a base HVAC device block independently from add-on HVAC device block(s)) can be freely extended by the function(s) provided by one or more add-on HVAC device blocks without limitations posed by the number of connection interfaces that can be accommodated directly by the base HVAC device block. By providing the add-on HVAC device blocks with connection interfaces of both first- and second-type, the add-on HVAC device blocks can be stacked directly onto the base HVAC device block or onto an add-on HVAC device block. By providing the add-on HVAC device blocks with connection interfaces of both first- and second-type, each add-on HVAC device block further extends the possibility of stacking another add-on HVAC device block, the connection interface of the first-type serving the purpose of connecting the add-on HVAC device block while the connection interface of the second-type serving the purpose of receiving a further HVAC device block. Hence, there is effectively no limit to the number of add-on HVAC device blocks that can be stacked with a base HVAC device block to form an HVAC field device. By eliminating the limit on the number of HVAC device blocks that can be combined with a base HVAC device block, as is the case with prior art methods/prior art HVAC field devices, the complexity of each individual add-on HVAC device block can be reduced, allowing a dedicated add-on HVAC device block to be provided for each particular HVAC function. This in turn enables a higher degree of reuse of HVAC device blocks between different HVAC field devices, reducing costs of manufacturing, maintenance and increasing flexibility in providing new functionalities.
Furthermore, by eliminating the limit on the number of HVAC device blocks that can be combined with a base HVAC device block, as is the case with prior art methods/prior art HVAC field devices, there is no need to compromise with respect to the function provided by an HVAC field device. In other words, the method of manufacturing an HVAC field device/the HVAC field device according to the present disclosure is advantageous since the flexibility of providing as many add-on HVAC device blocks as need ensures that as many functions are fitted to the HVAC field device as required but not more than necessary.
A further advantage of the method/HVAC field device of the present disclosure is that, since an unlimited number of HVAC device blocks can be combined using a single connection interface and only a pair of connection interfaces on the base HVAC device block and add-on HVAC device blocks, respectively, the space available for the connection interfaces is not reduced by increasing the number of add-ons—as would be the case in prior art solutions. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, essentially entire sides (e.g. top and bottom sides) of the housing of the HVAC device blocks are taken up by the connection interfaces, which allows a rigid mechanical connection between the HVAC device blocks after stacking, yielding a robust HVAC field device, while keeping the number of stackable HVAC device blocks open.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the connection interfaces of the first-type comprise a mechanical interface of a first-type and the connection interface(s) of the second-type comprise a mechanical interface(s) of a second-type. The mechanical interface(s) of the first-type and the mechanical interface(s) of the second-type are configured such as to align adjacent HVAC device blocks upon the HVAC device blocks being stacked. For a better aligning effect, according to embodiments, the mechanical interface(s) are tapered at their outer surfaces.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the mechanical interfaces of the first-type comprise a recess, in particular a circumferential recess arranged on a first side of the housing of the respective HVAC device block and the mechanical interface(s) of the second-type comprise(s) a protrusion, in particular a circumferential protrusion arranged on a second side of the housing of the respective HVAC device block. Alternatively, according to further embodiments of the present disclosure the mechanical interfaces of the first-type comprise a protrusion, in particular a circumferential protrusion arranged on a first side of the housing of the respective HVAC device block and the mechanical interface(s) of the second-type comprise(s) a recess, in particular a circumferential recess arranged on a second side of the housing of the respective HVAC device block.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the mechanical interface(s) of the first-type and the mechanical interface(s) of the second-type the mechanical interfaces are configured to mutually interlock by an interface-fit upon the HVAC device blocks being stacked to thereby fixedly attach the plurality of HVAC device blocks to each other. The term fixedly attaching, as used herein, refers to attaching such that a release force is required to separate the fixedly attached HVAC device blocks, the release force exceeding forces applied to the HVAC device blocks under normal operation of the HVAC field device and/or the release force acting in a direction/manner different from forces applied on the HVAC device blocks under normal operation of the HVAC field device.
According to even further embodiments, the method of manufacturing an HVAC field device further comprises the step of providing an adhesive and/or fastening means to the mechanical interfaces for fixedly attaching the plurality of HVAC device blocks to each other upon being stacked. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the fastening means comprise latches, 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 stacked, in particular by ultrasonic welding or laser welding.
According to the specific requirements on the HVAC field device, a sealant is provided at the connection interfaces to seal the HVAC device blocks together, with respect to humidity, dust or other sources of contamination.
It is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to provide an HVAC field device/a method of manufacturing an HVAC field device which further enable the extension of the functionalities of the base HVAC device block by electric functionalities provided by an add-on HVAC device block comprising an electronic circuit. This further objective is addressed in that the connection interface of the first-type of the base HVAC device block and the connection interface(s) of the second-type of the add-on HVAC device block(s) comprise electrical interfaces electrically connected to the respective electronic circuit, configured to be electrically connectable to each other.
It is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to provide an HVAC field device/a method of manufacturing an HVAC field device which further enable the extension of the functionalities of the base HVAC device block by electric functionalities provided by any number of add-on HVAC device blocks comprising an electronic circuit. This further objective is addressed by extending the flexible extension by add-ons capability to comprise flexible extension by HVAC device blocks comprising an electronic circuit. In particular, this further objective is addressed in that the connection interfaces each comprise an electrical interface electrically connected to the respective electronic circuit, the connection interfaces being configured to be electrically connectable to each other. In other words, the connection interface of the first-type of the base HVAC device block and both connection interfaces of the add-on HVAC device blocks all comprise electrical interfaces. According to embodiments disclosed herein, in order to allow transfer of data and/or electric energy between HVAC device blocks of the HVAC field device, stacking the plurality of HVAC device blocks further comprises electrically connecting the plurality of HVAC device blocks to each other via the electrical interfaces of adjacent HVAC device blocks. The electrical interfaces of the HVAC device blocks are configured such as to forward data and/or electric energy between the electrical interfaces of the first-type to the electrical interfaces of the second-type, thereby allowing transfer of data and/or electric energy not only between adjacent HVAC device blocks, but between all HVAC device blocks of the HVAC field device. In other words, data and/or electric energy are passed through by the HVAC device blocks.
Embodiments wherein the HVAC device blocks comprise both mechanical as well as electrical connection interfaces are particularly advantageous as both the mechanical and electrical function of the base HVAC device block can be freely extended by mechanical and/or electrical function(s) provided by one or more add-on HVAC device blocks without limitations posed by the number of connection interfaces that can be accommodated directly by the base HVAC device block. By providing the add-on HVAC device blocks with mechanical and electrical connection interfaces of both first- and second-type, irrespective whether an add-on HVAC device block comprises mechanical and/or electrical function(s), the add-on HVAC device block can be stacked directly onto the base HVAC device block or onto an add-on HVAC device block. By providing the add-on HVAC device blocks with mechanical and electrical connection interfaces of both first- and second-type, each add-on HVAC device block further extends the possibility of stacking another add-on HVAC device block, irrespective whether an add-on HVAC device block comprises mechanical and/or electrical function(s), the connection interface of the first-type serving the purpose of connecting the add-on HVAC device block while the connection interface of the second-type serving the purpose of receiving a further HVAC device block. Thereby, there is effectively no limit to the number of add-on HVAC device blocks that can be stacked with a base HVAC device block to form an HVAC field device. By eliminating the limit on the number of HVAC device blocks that can be combined with a base HVAC device block, as is the case with prior art methods/prior art HVAC field devices, the complexity of each individual add-on HVAC device block can be reduced, allowing a dedicated add-on HVAC device block to be provided for each particular HVAC function, be it mechanical and/or electrical function. This in turn enables a higher degree of reuse of HVAC device blocks between different HVAC field devices, reducing costs of manufacturing, maintenance and increasing flexibility in providing new mechanical and/or electrical function.
Furthermore, by eliminating the limit on the number of HVAC device blocks that can be combined with a base HVAC device block, as is the case with prior art methods/prior art HVAC field devices, there is no need to compromise with respect to the mechanical and/or electrical function provided by an HVAC field device. In other words, the method of manufacturing an HVAC field device/the HVAC field device according to the present disclosure are advantageous since the flexibility of providing as many add-on HVAC device blocks as needed ensures that as many mechanical and/or electrical functions are fitted to the HVAC field device as needed but not more than necessary.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrical interface(s) of the connection interface(s) of the first-type comprise(s) an electrical connector of a first-type arranged at a first side of the respective HVAC device block while the electrical interface(s) of the connection interface(s) of the second-type comprise(s) an electrical connector of a second type arranged at a second side of the respective HVAC device block(s), in particular on a second side of the housing arranged opposite the first side.
It is an object of further embodiments of the present disclosure to enable a plug-and-play manufacture/assembly of HVAC device blocks into an HVAC field device. This further object is addressed according to the present disclosure by implementing an exchange of configuration data between the HVAC device blocks. Configuration data is stored in the electronic circuit of a first of the plurality of HVAC device blocks while its electronic circuit is configured to transmit configuration data through the electrical interface of the first of the plurality of HVAC device blocks. Furthermore, the electronic circuit of a second of the plurality of HVAC device blocks, different from the first of the plurality of HVAC device blocks, is configured to receive configuration data through the electrical interface of the second of the plurality of HVAC device blocks. The method according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprise the step of causing configuration data of the first of the plurality of HVAC device blocks to be transferred to the second of the plurality of HVAC device blocks upon the HVAC field device being supplied with electrical energy. Alternatively, or additionally, the HVAC device blocks are configured such as to exchange configuration data upon the HVAC device blocks being stacked.
Exchanging configuration data between the HVAC device blocks is advantageous since it allows the HVAC device blocks of an HVAC field device to be automatically configured. In case of HVAC field devices comprising more than two HVAC device blocks, the configuration data from one HVAC device block can be transferred even to not directly adjacent HVAC device blocks by means of step by step propagation between adjacent HVAC device blocks. Also, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the transfer, respectively receipt of configuration data is reciprocal, namely in that each HVAC device block is configured to both transmit and receive configuration data.
It is an object of further embodiments of the present disclosure to provide an HVAC field device/a method of manufacturing an HVAC field device which allows a flexible supply of the HVAC field device with electrical energy and/or a flexible configuration of the HVAC field device. This further object is addressed according to embodiments of the present disclosure in that—in addition to the HVAC device blocks comprising electrical interfaces configured to be electrically connectable to each other—an external electrical interface is provided to at least one of the HVAC device blocks. The external electrical interface is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the at least one of the HVAC device block(s). The plurality of HVAC device blocks of the HVAC field device are configured to be powered through the external electrical interface of the at least one of the HVAC device blocks via their respective electrical interfaces. Such embodiments are advantageous as they allow the entire HVAC field device to be provided with electrical energy via a single interface namely the external electrical interface of at least one of the HVAC device block(s).
Alternatively, or additionally, the HVAC device blocks of an HVAC field device can be configured via the external electrical interface(s) of any of the HVAC device blocks. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the external electrical interface(s) of the HVAC device blocks are identical or at least compatible with one certain electrical connector of a configuration device, allowing a flexible configuration of any of the HVAC device blocks or the entire HVAC field device through the external electrical interface of any HVAC device block.
According to further embodiments, one or more of the HVAC device blocks of the HVAC field device comprise two or more external electrical interfaces, wherein the two or more external electrical interfaces are configured such as to allow Daisy-Chaining of multiple HVAC field devices. In particular, the two or more external electrical interfaces are configured to both communicatively and/or energetically connect a plurality of HVAC field devices using a power over data line connection such as to enable data communication between the plurality of HVAC field devices and/or to enable supply of each of the plurality of HVAC field devices with electrical power from a power source connected to any one of the plurality of HVAC field devices. According to an embodiment, the external electrical interfaces are provided with a protection against electromagnetic interference, dust, and/or water.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the one or more add-on HVAC device block(s) comprise one or more functional extension devices selected from the list comprising:
Add-on HVAC device blocks according to embodiments disclosed herein may be grouped into several levels:
According to particular embodiments, the HVAC device blocks—in particular the Level 2 or 3 HVAC device blocks comprising a uC (microcontroller)—are configured such as to be programmable to execute use-case/client specific functions. Correspondingly, according to embodiments, the Level 2 or 3 HVAC device blocks comprising a uC (microcontroller) are provided with programming interfaces for enabling the programming of the uC (microcontroller).
According to embodiments wherein any one of the add-on HVAC device blocks comprise an energy storage device such as a capacitor, in particular a supercapacitor (as functional extension device), the energy storage device is configured to supply a failsafe voltage and/or current to a base HVAC device block—comprising an electric motor—different from a regular operating voltage and/or current. Correspondingly, the base HVAC device block is configured such as to drive the electric motor with a failsafe actuation speed corresponding to the failsafe voltage and/or current. According to embodiments, the failsafe actuation speed and/or torque is higher than a regular actuation speed, when the base HVAC device is provided—by the energy storage device of the add-on HVAC device block—with a failsafe voltage and/or current greater than the regular operating voltage and/or current. Alternatively, or additionally, the base HVAC device block is configured to drive the electric motor with a failsafe actuation speed and/or torque lower than a regular actuation speed when provided—by the energy storage device of the add-on HVAC device block—with a failsafe voltage and/or current lower than a regular operating voltage and/or current. According to embodiments disclosed herein, the HVAC field device is configured such that the energy storage device of the add-on HVAC device block supplies the electric motor with a failsafe voltage and/or current in the presence of a failure condition, such as the absence of electrical energy at the external electrical interface and/or an error being detected by a sensor of the HVAC field device.
It is an object of further embodiments of the present disclosure to provide an HVAC field device/a method of manufacturing an HVAC field device which allows fitting various types of connection interfaces to HVAC device blocks. This further object is addressed according to embodiments of the present disclosure by providing one or more connection element(s) carrying the connection interfaces, in particular at least the mechanical interfaces. The connection elements are provided as frame-like structures to be arranged on a side of the respective HVAC device block, the connection elements carrying connection interfaces of the first-type and/or the connection interface of the second-type. In a subsequent step, the one or more of the plurality of HVAC device blocks are assembled by attaching the connection element(s) to the housing of the respective HVAC device block. In case of the base HVAC device block, a single connection element(s) is provided, carrying a connection interface of the first-type. In case of add-on HVAC device blocks, a pair of connection elements is provided carrying a connection interface of the first-type and a connection interface of the second-type, respectively.
Providing the connection interfaces as part of connection elements is advantageous, since thereby HVAC device blocks can be re-used and flexibly fitted with different kinds of connection interfaces without a redesign of the entire HVAC device blocks.
In order to avoid a connection interface being left exposed after the HVAC device blocks have been stacked, according to further embodiments disclosed herein, a cover HVAC device block is provided. The cover HVAC device block comprises a housing and a connection interface of the second-type. In order to cover the connection interface of the first-type of the outermost add-on HVAC device block, the cover HVAC device block is stacked on the outermost add-on HVAC device block, thereby mechanically connecting the connection interface of the second type of the cover HVAC device block to the connection interface of the first-type of the outermost add-on HVAC device block. The term ‘outermost’ is to be understood as the HVAC device block with an exposed connection interface, i.e. not covered by a corresponding connection interface of a further HVAC device block attached thereto.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the cover HVAC device block further comprises a human interaction device HID electrically connected to an electronic circuit of the cover HVAC device block and/or—via the electrical connection interfaces—to an electronic circuit of one or more of the add-on HVAC block(s) and/or to the electronic circuit of the base HVAC block. Providing a human interaction device HID as part of a cover HVAC device block is advantageous as—after assembly of the HVAC field device—the cover HVAC device block is the outermost block and therefore offers access to the human interaction device HID. The human interaction device HID is arranged to control and/or display operational parameters of the HVAC field device (or one or more of its constituent HVAC device blocks) and/or one or more of the operational parameters of the HVAC system measured by the sensor.
It is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to separate mechanical and electric functions, not only amongst add-on HVAC device blocks but also within the base HVAC device block. This further object is addressed by: providing a primary base HVAC sub-block, comprising the electric motor; providing a secondary base HVAC sub-block, comprising a mechanical drive; and connecting the primary base HVAC sub-block and the secondary base HVAC sub-block to thereby form the base HVAC device block, such that the mechanical drive is arranged between the electric motor and the actuated part. Separating the mechanical and electric functions is advantageous since it allows the re-use/combination of the same mechanical and electrical components in different combinations. Thereby, it is possible to manufacture a wide range of base HVAC device blocks in a cost efficient manner.
It is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to allow the extension of functions of an HVAC field device even in the absence of physical space around the HVAC field device (when installed). Furthermore, it is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to allow access to HVAC device blocks in HVAC systems, where the HVAC field device, in particular the base HVAC device block is installed at a difficult to access location. These further objects are addressed in that an add-on HVAC device block is divided into two structural parts which can be arranged offset/remote one from the other. The housing of the respective add-on HVAC device block is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part accommodates the connection interface of the second-type so that the first housing part can be stacked onto the base HVAC device block (or onto another add-on HVAC device block). The second housing part accommodates the connection interface of the first-type, the electrical interface of the connection interface of the first-type being electrically connected to the electrical interface of the connection interface of the second-type by an electrical extension link, so that further HVAC device blocks—in particular a cover HVAC device block having a human interaction device HID—can be stacked onto the second housing part.
Splitting the housing of an add-on HVAC device block into two parts is advantageous as it allows the first part to be installed at the difficult to reach location of the base HVAC device block (which necessarily needs to be installed in direct mechanical connection with the actuated part, such as a valve or damper), while further HVAC device blocks, in particular HVAC device blocks comprising a human interaction device HID, can be installed at more accessible locations.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed.
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 disclosure described in the appended claims. The drawings which show:
Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein 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 so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.
In the following figures, like elements of which one or more are part of embodiments disclosed herein, are denoted with a reference numeral followed by an index range, such as. 1−n, wherein n is a whole number greater than or equal to 1.
The base HVAC device block 10 comprises: a housing 11; an electric motor M and/or a sensor S; a connection interface 15A; and an electronic circuit 12 connected to the electric motor M and/or the sensor S. The electric motor M is arranged within the housing 11 and arranged—upon the HVAC field device 1 being installed—to drive an actuated part 80—see
The sensor S of the base HVAC device block 10 is configured to measure an environmental parameter of an HVAC system 100, such as a temperature and/or humidity of an environment controlled by the HVAC system 100. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor S of the base HVAC device block 10 is provided to measure operational parameters of various components of the HVAC system 100 such as an actuated position of the actuated part 80 and/or the operational state of the HVAC field device 1. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor S is located either within the housing 11 or outside the housing 11, being communicatively connected to the electronic circuit 12.
The connection interface 15A of the base HVAC device block 10 is of a first-type and is arranged in particular on an external surface of the housing 11. As shown on the embodiment of
The add-on HVAC device block 20.1 comprises a housing 21.1 and a connection interface 25A.1 of the first-type and a connection interface 25B.1 of a second-type. As a counterpart of the connection interface 15A of the first-type of the base HVAC device block 10, the connection interface 25B.1 of the second-type of the add-on HVAC device block 20.1 is arranged on a second, bottom side 21Bot.1 of the housing 21.1 The connection interface 15A of the first-type of the base HVAC device block 10 and the connection interface 25B.1 of the second-type of the add-on HVAC device block 20.1 are configured to be mechanically connectable with each other.
The connection interface of the first-type 25A.1 of the add-on HVAC device block 20.1 is arranged on a first, top side 21Top.1 of its housing 21.1, the first side 21Top.1 being essentially parallel and opposite the second side 21Bot.1. Arranging complementary connection interfaces (of a first-type 25A.1 and of a second-type 25B.1) on essentially parallel and opposite sides of the housing 21.1 of the add-on HVAC device block 21.1 enables a plurality of add-on HVAC device blocks to be stacked while maintaining a constant footprint/cross section of the resulting HVAC field device 1.
As shown on the embodiment of
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the mechanical interface(s) 17A, 27A.1-n of the first-type and the mechanical interface(s) 27B.1-n of the second-type are configured to mutually interlock by an interface-fit upon the HVAC device blocks 10, 20.1-n being stacked to thereby fixedly attach the plurality of HVAC device blocks 10, 20.1-20-n to each other. For example, the protrusion of the mechanical interface(s) 27B.1-n of the second-type are of marginally larger dimensions than the space within the recess of the mechanical interfaces 17A, 27A.1-n of the first-type, thereby fixedly attaching upon the HVAC device blocks 10, 20.1-n being stacked, by way or a small compression and/or a small expansion of the protrusion and the recess, respectively.
As illustrated on
In order to allow even further extension of the functionalities of the base HVAC device block 10 by electric functionalities provided by more than one add-on stacked HVAC device blocks 20.1-2, as shown on
By providing the add-on HVAC device block 20.1 with mechanical and electrical connection interfaces of both first- and second-type, the add-on HVAC device block 20.1 further extends the possibility of stacking another add-on HVAC device block 20.2, irrespective whether the further add-on HVAC device block 20.2 comprises mechanical and/or electrical function, the connection interface of the second-type 25B. 1 serving the purpose of connecting the add-on HVAC device block 20.1 while the connection interface 25A.1 of the first-type serving the purpose of receiving a further HVAC device block 20.2.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the electrical connections (between interfaces and/or between interfaces and the electronic circuits) is of a bus type, in particular a bus suitable for both data communication and transmission of electrical energy (in particular at 24V).
Thereby, upon a single stacking step of the HVAC device blocks 10 and 20.1, both a mechanical and electrical connection is established between the stacked HVAC device blocks 10 and 20.1. According to the embodiment illustrated on
Turning now to
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the external electrical interface(s) 18, 28.1-n of the HVAC device blocks 10, 20.1-n are identical or at least compatible with one certain electrical connector of a configuration device, allowing a flexible (pre)configuration of any of the HVAC device blocks 10, 20.1-n or the entire HVAC field device 1 through the external electrical interface 18, 28.1-n of any HVAC device block 10. 20.1-n.
In order to allow fitting various types of connection interfaces to HVAC device blocks, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection interfaces are provided on so-called connection elements 19, 29.1-n.
As shown on
As illustrated on
Similarly to the base HVAC device block, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, connection interface(s) of add-on HVAC device block(s) is/are provided on connection element(s).
In order to avoid the outermost (on the figures the topmost) connection interface 25A.n being left exposed after the HVAC device blocks 10, 20.1-n have been stacked, as shown on
Also shown on
As shown on
In particular, the mechanical drive 13 comprises a gearing, such as a reduction gearing, to convert the torque of the motor M to the specific requirements of actuating the actuated part 80.
In order to allow the extension of the functions of an HVAC field device even in the absence of physical space around the HVAC field device (when installed) and to allow access to add-on HVAC device blocks in HVAC systems where the HVAC field device, in particular the base HVAC device block is installed at a difficult to access location, according to embodiments disclosed herein, one or more of the add-on HVAC device blocks is/are divided into two structural parts which can be arranged offset/remote one from the other. As shown on
For the measurement of the respective measure environmental variable(s), the sensor S comprises a sensing element Sx, Sx′. Depending on the measured environmental parameter(s), the sensing element Sx is arranged within the first sensor part Si within the housing 11 and fluidly connected by the second sensor part Se to the sensor probe P so that samples of a fluid flowing through the duct/pipe D are directed to the sensing element Sx.
Alternatively, or additionally, as shown on
Optionally, the sensor S comprises a duct mounting element Sm configured to allow adjustment to different duct/pipe geometries. In particular, the duct mounting element Sm is provided to allow the HVAC field device 1 being attached to a duct or pipe such that a sensing element Sx of the second sensor part Se to be placed in a center of the duct/pipe D.
Turning now to
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00339/21 | Mar 2021 | CH | national |
| 00473/21 | Apr 2021 | CH | national |
| 00545/21 | May 2021 | CH | national |
| 000273/2022 | Mar 2022 | CH | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/058641 | 3/31/2022 | WO |
