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HVAC
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Project: Building a Thermostat Controller
This project involved designing part of a thermostat controller for an HVAC system, focusing on temperature regulation. My goal was to balance client needs with equipment safety and simplicity.
Project Highlights...
Project management: Successfully completed a technical project on time and within budget, balancing stakeholder needs and technical feasibility.
Requirements analysis: Analyzed stakeholder needs and translated them into functional specifications for the controller.
Testing and debugging: Identified and resolved logical errors in the design through simulation and code analysis.
Technical writing: Documented the project design, including state diagrams, truth tables, and simulation results.
User-centered design: Prioritized user needs for both functionality and cost-effectiveness in the thermostat controller design.
Stakeholders: Three clients with preferences for cooling-focused AC in apartments, with possible desires for energy saving or specific features.
After the brainstorming process, two designed emerged...
Design 1
Design 2
Design 1: Used R=L=1 as a clear/reset input, allowing power on/off for cost-conscious clients. Design 2 Treated R=L=1 as a buffer state to handle simultaneous button presses.
Choosing the Best Design: I evaluated each design based on criteria like number of states, build complexity, materials needed, feature inclusion, and potential failure.
Design 1 Wins: It scored higher due to its...
- Clear power off function for cost savings.
- Simpler logic and easier debugging compared to Design 2
- Minimal state transitions, reducing bug possibilities.
- Simulation and Refinement: While Design 1 initially malfunctioned, it required less debugging than Design 2, which occasionally violated the "no H and C simultaneously" rule. With further work, Design 1 can be a viable option for a user-friendly, cost-conscious thermostat controller.
This project highlights the importance of balancing user needs with technical constraints while prioritizing equipment safety and ease of use. Design choices should be driven by careful consideration of various factors to ensure a successful and practical outcome.