PROGRAMMABLE VENT

Abstract

A programmable vent system is provided. The programmable vent system may have at least one vent unit and at least one central housing unit. The programmable vent system may allow a user to individually monitor and control the at least one air vent located within a building or home. Each programmable vent may be controlled via a wireless communication, such as a remote control, a Bluetooth device or may be controlled wirelessly through a cell phone signal. The present programmable vent system may increase the efficiency of energy within the building or home by directing hot or cool air only to proper areas within the building or home.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A programmable vent system is provided. The programmable vent system may have at least one vent unit and at least one central housing unit. The programmable vent system may allow a user to individually monitor and control the at least one air vent located within a building or home. Each programmable vent may be controlled via a wireless communication, such as a remote control, a Bluetooth device or may be controlled wirelessly through a cell phone signal. The present programmable vent system may increase the efficiency of energy within the building or home by directing hot or cool air only to proper areas within the building or home.

Programmable appliances and home electronics are well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,876 to Linde discloses a programmable remote-control motion vent outlet having an air vent arrangement and a control device. The air vent arrangement includes a ventilating guide adapted for mounting at a ventilating air outlet, wherein the ventilating guide has a ventilating slot for guiding an airflow passing from the ventilating air outlet to outside, a plurality of vent blades rotatably mounted to the ventilating guide for selectively allowing the airflow passing through the ventilating slot. The control device is adapted for remotely switching the vent blades between an air passage position and an air blockage position. In which, at the air passage position, the vent blades are rotated to open the ventilating slot respectively for allowing the airflow passing therethrough, and at the air blockage position, the vent blades are rotated to close the ventilating slot respectively for blocking the airflow passing through.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,518 to Kline discloses an apparatus and process for individually adjusting temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices (27, 29) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of coupling each of a plurality of computers (34) located in a plurality of offices or spaces (22) for input of a temperature set point signal. The computers (34) are coupled to the VAV devices (27, 29) such that a selected computer will input or adjust the temperature set point of only VAV devices (27, 29) located in the same space (22) as the computer (34). Such coupling can be accomplished through direct electrical connections (33), transmitted signals (37, 38), or the use of computer networks (36, 42) which are connected to the VAV devices (27, 29) directly or through the building HVAC control network (32). In the preferred form, the computers (34) are also capable of retrieving the current set point from the VAV device (27, 29), displaying it on the computer display screen and thereafter adjusting the temperature, for example, by using graphical display software.

However, these patents fail to describe a programmable vent system which is easy to use as described herein by the present programmable vent system. Further, these patents fail to provide for a programmable vent system which allows a user to control the air flow through a home or building in a quick and energy efficient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A programmable vent system is provided. The programmable vent system may have at least one vent unit and at least one central housing unit. The programmable vent system may allow a user to individually monitor and control the at least one air vent located within a building or home. Each programmable vent may be controlled via a wireless communication, such as a remote control, a Bluetooth device or may be controlled wirelessly through a cell phone signal. The present programmable vent system may increase the efficiency of energy within the building or home by directing hot or cool air only to proper areas within the building or home.

An advantage of the present programmable vent system is that the present programmable vent system increases energy efficiency within a house or building by, for example, restricting the movement of cool or hot air only to occupied rooms.

And another advantage of the present programmable vent system is that the present programmable vent system may be controlled by a remote control or through a wireless Internet connection or cell phone.

Yet another advantage of the present programmable vent system is that the present programmable vent system may be used in connection with multiple vents within the home or building.

Still another advantage of the present programmable vent system is that the present programmable vent system may have a self-contained battery.

And still another advantage of the present programmable vent system is that the present programmable vent system may allow a user to control a vent which is difficult to for a person to reach which may be located on, for example, a vaulted ceiling.

And another advantage of the present programmable vent system is that the present programmable vent system allows a vent unit to be used automatically with, or manually without, a central housing unit.

For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the present programmable vent system reference should be made to the detailed description and the drawings. Further, additional features and advantages of the invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the programmable vent system wherein a central housing unit is shown transparent for illustrative purposes and wherein a remote is illustrated and wherein the central housing unit is secured to the vent unit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the central housing unit in one embodiment wherein a display screen of the central housing unit is visible.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interior view of the central housing unit of the programmable vent in one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the servo and lever of the central housing unit wherein the lever is in the first orientation (or “open” orientation) with respect to the vent unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the servo and lever of the central housing unit wherein the lever is partially in the second orientation (or “closed” orientation) with respect to the vent unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A programmable vent system is provided. The programmable vent system may have at least one vent unit and at least one central housing unit. The programmable vent system may allow a user to individually monitor and control the at least one air vent located within a building or home. Each programmable vent may be controlled via a wireless communication, such as a remote control, a Bluetooth device or may be controlled wirelessly through a cell phone signal. The present programmable vent system may increase the efficiency of energy within the building or home by directing hot or cool air only to proper areas within the building or home.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a programmable vent system 1 is provided. The programmable vent system 1 may have a vent unit 10, a central housing unit 50 and a control unit 100. In an embodiment, the vent unit 10 may be made largely of metal, plastic or other suitable and durable material. The vent unit 10 may have a top 11, a bottom 12 (FIGS. 4 and 5), a first side 13, a second side 14, a front 15 and a back 16.

The vent unit 10 may be temporarily or permanently secured to an HVAC opening (not shown) in a wall, ceiling or floor of the home or building.

The top 11 of the vent unit 10 may be comprised of a first frame and the bottom 12 of the vent unit 10 may be comprised of a second frame. In an embodiment, the second frame (the “bottom unit” 12) may move with respect to the first frame (the top unit 11). More specifically, the bottom frame may move from a first orientation (FIG. 4) to a second orientation (FIG. 5 illustrates the second frame in the process of completely closing, but still partially open). In the first orientation, the vent is “open” and in the second orientation the vent is “closed” or “partially closed.” It should be understood that the second frame may completely cover the openings 18 of the first frame so that no air may pass through the vent.

In an embodiment, the central housing unit 50 may have a top 51, a bottom (not shown), a first side 53, a second side 54, a front 54, a back 55 and an interior 56 (FIG. 3). The interior 56 of the central housing unit 50 may be exposed when the top 51 (or “lid”) is removed or opened. In an embodiment, the electronics of the interior 56 of the central housing unit 50 may be electrically grounded so as to reduce or eliminate electrical shocks. Still further, in an embodiment, the interior 56 of the central housing unit 50 may be moisture/water proof or resistant so as to reduce the chance of an electrical short. In an embodiment, the central housing unit 50 may be temporarily secured to the top 11 (the “first frame unit”) of the vent unit 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the top 51 of the central housing unit 50 may have a digital display screen 70 wherein the digital display screen 70 may display indicia 75 such as, for example, the date, the time, the temperature and on/off times for the vent to open or close. In an embodiment, the interior 56 of the central housing unit 50 may have at least a servo motor 80, a power source such as a battery 81 and a micro controller 82. The servo 80 may be powered by the battery 81 in one embodiment, but may also be powered by alternating current in an embodiment. The servo 80 may be mechanically connected to a lever 85 as described below. In an embodiment, buttons 125 may be located on the central housing unit 50 to allow a user to additionally program the central housing unit 50 directly from the central processing unit 50 (as opposed to using the remote 100).

In an embodiment, the top 11 of the vent (the “first frame” unit) may have a plurality of slots or openings 18 that allow the passage of air. FIG. 1 illustrates twelve rectangular slots or openings 18; however, a greater or fewer number of slots or openings 18 may be used in connection with the present programmable vent system 1. Further, the shape of the slots or openings 18 may vary from the slots/openings 18 shown in the illustrations.

The bottom 12 (or “second frame” unit) may also have a plurality of slots or openings 19 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Ideally, the slots or openings 19 of the second frame unit are similar to the slots or openings 18 of the first frame unit. While the top unit 11 of the vent 10 remains stationary, the bottom 12 (second frame unit) may move with respect to the top 11 (first frame unit). When the slots or openings 18, 19 of the top 11 and bottom 12 are aligned as shown in FIG. 4, air may free flow through the vent 1 to cool or heat a room. When the bottom 12 (the second frame unit) moves to the second orientation with respect to the top unit 11, the slots or openings 18 of the top unit 11 may become either partially or completely obstructed by a portion of the actual frame of the bottom 12 (the second frame unit) so that the air flow is either partially obstructed or completely obstructed from passing through the vent 10. FIG. 5 shows the second frame unit partially blocking the openings 18 of the first frame unit 11.

In an embodiment, the bottom unit 12 (second frame unit) may have a vertically extending rod 30. Preferably, the vertically extending rod 30 is perpendicular with respect to the bottom unit 12. The vertically extending rod 30 may be received within an opening 86 of a lever 85 of the central housing unit 50. More specifically, the lever 85 of the central housing unit 50 may partially surround the vertically extending rod 30 and may physically move the extending rod 30 (and therefore the entire bottom unit 12) when the servo 80 moves the lever 85. Preferably, the servo 80 requires low torque so that the overall energy consumption of the programmable vent system 1 is rather low.

In an embodiment (as described below), a user may completely remove the central housing unit 50 from the vent 10 and may still control the vent unit 10 by manually moving the vertically extending rod 30 with his/her hand. Therefore, the vent unit 10 may be operated manually when the central housing unit 50 is completely removed from the vent unit 10 or, electively, the vent unit 10 may be controlled automatically by placing the central housing unit 50 on top of the vent unit 10 as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the vent 10 may still be controlled even if the central housing unit 50 fails or the battery is depleted.

In an embodiment, the central housing unit 50 is easily removable from the vent unit 10 so that the central housing unit 50 may be replaced and/or repaired without needing to remove the entire vent unit 10 from the vent's location on the wall, floor or ceiling. As a result, a user may easily swap out a first central housing unit 50 for an alternative, yet working central housing unit 50.

In an embodiment, a remote 100 may be used to operate and/or program the programmable vent system 1. The remote 100 may be a stand alone remote or may be a cell phone which sends a signal to the central housing unit 50, by, for example, the Internet. In the embodiment wherein the remote unit 100 is a cell phone, a user may program and/or operate the programmable vent system 1 from a location outside of the house or building, for example, from miles away on vacation. In one embodiment, the programmable vent system 1 may be automatically programmed to, for example, open or close if the room temperature exceeds a preprogrammed temperature range which may be, for example, over 110 degrees or under 55 degrees. Further, a single remote 100 may be used to program multiple vents 10 with either the same on/off schedule or with different on/off schedules.

In an embodiment, at least the bottom of the central housing unit 50 is at least partially magnetic so that it can be attracted to the top 11 of the vent unit 10 (which may also be magnetic). As a result, the central housing unit 50 may remain secured to the vent unit 10 even when the vent unit 10 is vertically secured to a wall or hanging upside-down from a ceiling without the need for screws or other securing devices.

In an embodiment, the central housing unit 50 may be programmed to automatically open the vent 10 if the battery of the central housing unit 50 falls below 5%. Further, in an embodiment, the central housing unit 50 may send a wireless signal to the remote 100 or to a computer to alert a user if the battery of the central housing unit 50 drops below 5%.

Although embodiments of the invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1) A programmable vent comprising: a vent having a top and a bottom wherein the top of the vent is a first frame unit and wherein the bottom of the vent is a second frame unit;a central housing unit secured to the first frame unit wherein the central housing unit has an interior having electrical components; anda motor located within the interior of the central housing unit wherein the motor is capable of moving the second frame unit of the vent with respect to the stationary first frame unit.

2) The programmable vent of claim 1 wherein central housing unit is selectively removable from the first frame unit of the vent.

3) The programmable vent of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of slits in the first frame unit and a plurality of slits in the second frame unit of the vent.

4) The programmable vent of claim 1 wherein the central housing unit has a bottom and wherein the bottom of the central housing unit is magnetic and wherein the first frame unit is magnetic and wherein the bottom of the central housing unit and the top of the first frame unit are secured together by magnetic force.

5) The programmable vent of claim 1 further comprising: a digital display screen on the central housing unit wherein the screen displays indicia including time, date and temperature.

6) The programmable vent of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of buttons on the central housing unit wherein the plurality of buttons on the central housing unit allow the central housing unit to be programmed.

7) The programmable vent of claim 1 further comprising: an extended rod extending from the second frame unit of the vent wherein the extended rod is received within an opening of a lever secured to the motor of the central housing unit.

8) The programmable vent of claim 7 wherein the extended rod is capable of being removed from the lever of the motor of the central housing unit and manually operated.

9) The programmable vent of claim 1 further comprising: a remove control for remotely controlling the central housing unit.

10) The programmable vent of claim 9 wherein the remote controls more than one programmable vent.

11) The programmable vent of claim 1 wherein the central housing unit is electrically grounded.

12) The programmable vent of claim 1 wherein the central housing unit is water resistant.

13) The programmable vent of claim 7 wherein the extended rod extends in a perpendicular manner with respect to the second frame unit.