Thermostat with self-configuring connections to facilitate do-it-yourself installation

US9116529B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Google LLC · US

Inventors

• Daniel Adam Warren · San Francisco, US
• Hugo Fiennes · Palo Alto, US
• Jonathan Alan Dutra · Saratoga, US
• David Bell · Los Altos Hills, US
• Anthony M. Fadell · Portola Valley, US
• Matthew Lee Rogers · Los Gatos, US
• John Benjamin Filson · San Jose, US
• Fred Bould · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 2014
• Grant date: Aug 25, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 1, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49826
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A thermostat compatible with single-HVAC- and dual-HVAC-transformer systems may include a first power return wire connector, a second power return wire connector, and a user-moveable mechanical element that physically blocks wire insertion into the first wire connector when in a first position and physically allows wire insertion into the first wire connector when in a second position. The thermostat may also include a switching circuit that may be in a first configuration when the mechanical element is in the first position, and in a second configuration when the mechanical element is in the second position. The first wire connector may be electrically coupled to the second wire connector in the first configuration, and first wire connector may be electrically isolated from the second wire connector in the second configuration to promote foolproofing against undesired isolation of the first and second wire connectors.