Home Automated Ventilation System (HAVS)

Home Automated Ventilation System (HAVS)Stephan HuberLuke GentheWith the advising assistance of Professor parv venkitasubramaniam Approach of ConceptProblem StatementDifferent people have different temperature preferencesRooms may be used more or less than othersRooms may be exposed to external heat sources/sinks through:Poor insulationOvensConcrete floorsHigh window densityMulti story homesBackground ResearchPotential Market and Existing solutions60% of homes in U.S. have forced air heating and cooling1With 123.2 million households in the United States in 2014, that makes for over 60 million potential customers2HVAC systems regulated by programmable thermostatsUnbalanced air distribution addressed by breaking home up into zones

1- Enyclopedia of Human Ecology, Julia R. Miller, page 2222- U.S. Bureau of the Census3- www.keenhome.ioNew SolutionsNew approach by companies such as Keen Home, Ecovent, and Activent Concept uses remotely controlled louvers along with temperature sensors in each roomTemperature is thus regulated on a room to room basisProducts are expensive with prices ranging from $60-$80 per vent3Prior Art ConsiderationsU.S. Patent #2014/0330438Key FeaturesAims to solve same problemBattery operated vents w/ electronic actuator and locking pinLow power wireless technologyMain controllerSolar strip for rechargingSelf Learning of user schedule

U.S. Patent #2014/0312126A1Key FeaturesAims to solve same problemBattery operated vents powered by low power motorWireless technologyMain hubEase of retrofit abilityAccess via browser or phone appApproach of ConceptUser SpecificationsMust be reliable for all normal conditionsMust be able to function in all rooms in a homeMust have battery life of at least 1 yearFor indoor use onlyMust be easy to install and retrofit to any forced air systemMust have intuitive user interface via phone appInterface must provide for possibility of multiple usersMust work for heating and air conditioning

Technical Specifications Operating Temperature: -20 to 120 degrees FahrenheitRange: 150 between vents and communication hub as well as 150 between room thermostats and communication hubCommunication medium: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi between all devicesPower source: battery operated with trickle charger, 3 V operating voltageUser Interface: Phone app w/ manual control on thermostat, hierarchal preference to phone appComply with FCC electromagnetic radiation guidelines as well as all other applicable regulations

Approach of ConceptModel home with Forced Air

Model has ductwork and forced air conditioning similar to a homeOutfitted with two light bulbs to serve as external heat sources (e.g. kitchen stove/oven)Temperature sensors in each room for monitoring Glass front for visual monitoringModel Simulation

Model Simulation with 60 Watt heat source in one roomTemperature spiked thereby proving existence of the problemGoal: minimize spike in temperature by managing air flow to all of the rooms

Model Simulation ContinuedModel Simulation with 2 60 Watt heat sources in 2 different roomsTemperature spiked again, bringing up temperature in adjacent rooms as well as the room with the light bulb

Approach of ConceptDesign OverviewRegistersServo used to open and close ventCommunicates via Wi-FiBattery powered with trickle chargers (solar/air)Receives position instruction from hubSends battery life to hubRoom ThermostatsSends actual room temperature and temperature requests to main hubCommunicates via Wi-FiMain Communication HubReceives information from room thermostats, registers, and phone appMakes decisions on louvre position and sends command to registers Communicates via Wi-Fi

Three ComponentsRegistersRoom ThermostatsMain Communication HubDesign ContinuedCommunication Flow Diagram

Alternative DesignsRF communication as opposed to Wi-FiPros: lower power consumption, inexpensiveCons: prone to interference, lower reliability at longer distancesInfrared remote as opposed to thermostatPros: lower power consumption, inexpensiveCons: easy to lose, possible inaccurate temperature readingsRF communication as opposed to Wi-FiInfrared remote as opposed to room thermostatApplicable Standards and RegulationsStandardsDocument #: IEC 60730Automatic Electrical Controls for Household and Similar Use Document #: BS EN 13321-1:2006Open Data Communication in building automation, controls, and building managementDocument #: ISO 16484-2:2004Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS)RegulationsTitle 47 of Electronic Code of Regulations (RF Devices)Title 21 of Electronic Code of Regulations (Food and Drug Regulations)Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards regarding the rights of individuals willing to undergo testingBill Of Materials RegisterArduino pro mini microcontrollerWi-Fi module Vent Servo

Total Cost: $33Room ThermostatArduino pro mini microcontroller Wi-Fi module LCD screen

Total Cost: $20HubArduino pro mini microcontroller Wi-Fi module

Total Cost: $15Project SummaryStatus and ConsiderationsBeginning Gantt Chart

Modified Gantt Chart

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