# US 10,309,672 B2 · Thermostat wiring connector

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,309,672 B2
- Document ID: US10309672B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/265,305
- Filed: 2016-09-14
- Published: 2017-01-05
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-19
- Assignees: Google Inc.
- Applicants: Google LLC
- Inventors: John Benjamin Filson; Daniel Adam Warren; Anthony Michael Fadell; Sheng-Nan Yu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309672B2

## CPC

- F24F 11/46: Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
- B01D 46/0086: {Filter condition indicators}
- F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F 11/58: using Internet communication
- F24F 11/62: characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
- F24F 11/63: Electronic processing
- F24F 11/89: Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- G05B 13/0265: {the criterion being a learning criterion}
- G05B 15/02: electric
- G05D 23/19: characterised by the use of electric means {(G05D23/1393 takes precedence)}
- G05D 23/1902: {characterised by the use of a variable reference value}
- G05D 23/1917: {using digital means}
- H01R 9/2416: {Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks}
- H04W 4/70: Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
- F24F 11/32: Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
- F24F 11/39: Monitoring filter performance
- F24F 11/47: Responding to energy costs
- F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
- F24F 11/56: Remote control
- F24F 11/61: using timers
- F24F 11/64: using pre-stored data
- F24F 2110/00: Control inputs relating to air properties
- F24F 2110/10: Temperature
- F24F 2120/10: Occupancy
- F24F 2120/20: Feedback from users
- F24F 2130/40: Noise
- F24F 2140/00: Control inputs relating to system states
- F24F 2140/60: Energy consumption
- Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal
- Y02B 10/70: Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system includes wiring terminals adapted and configured to make an electrical connection with an HVAC system wires such as common, heating and cooling control and return wires. The making of the connection with a common wire actuates switching open a loop of an electrical circuit used for power harvesting. The wiring terminal includes actuation of a moveable part of the terminal so as to accommodate the common wire that in turn actuates the switching open the power harvesting loop. More than one other loop can be switched. The wiring terminal can be used to automatically connect and/or disconnect Rc and Rh circuits when one or both Rc and Rh wires are present. The wiring terminal can be used for electronically sensing the presence of the HVAC system wire.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system comprising:
a plurality of wiring terminals each adapted and configured to make an electrical connection with one of a plurality of HVAC wires, wherein each wiring terminal includes:
a main body;
a channel opening that is positioned on a first side of the main body, the channel opening being configured to enable insertion of a respective HVAC wire of the plurality of HVAC wires into an interior of the main body, the respective HVAC wire being inserted so as to make an electrical connection between the thermostat and the respective HVAC wire;
a first conductor that is disposed within the main body so that a contact portion of the first conductor is positioned along an insertion path of the respective HVAC wire, the first conductor being configured so that the contact portion is displaceable to accommodate insertion of the respective HVAC wire within the channel opening, the contact portion being spring biased toward the insertion path such that after insertion of the respective HVAC wire, the contact portion of the first conductor engages the respective HVAC wire and urges the respective HVAC wire into contact with a contact portion of a second conductor that is disposed within the main body, wherein the respective HVAC wire is maintained in electrical contact with the contact portions of the first conductor and the second conductor to retain the respective HVAC wire securely within the channel opening and in electrical contact with the thermostat; and
a button that is coupled with the main body and operably coupled with the first conductor such that pressing the button displaces the contact portion from the insertion path thereby enabling removal of the respective HVAC wire from the channel opening.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein each of the wiring terminals is configured such that a physical presence of the respective HVAC wire inserted into the wiring terminal is automatically detectable, and wherein at least one parameter of the HVAC system is controlled based on insertion of the respective HVAC wire.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The thermostat of claim 2, wherein controlling the at least one parameter includes switching of a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the respective HVAC wire.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the loop enables power harvesting.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wiring terminals are arranged about a back plate so that the channel opening faces an aperture in the back plate through which wires of the HVAC system are inserted.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The thermostat of claim 5, wherein the plurality of wiring terminals are arranged in two terminal blocks on opposing sides of the aperture of the back plate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wiring terminals are affixed to a back plate that includes a bubble level.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the first conductor is positioned around a fulcrum member that is disposed within the main body so that the first conductor pivots about the fulcrum member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostat further comprises a back plate and a head unit that is attached to the back plate, the back plate being electrically connectable to the head unit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The thermostat of claim 9, wherein the thermostat further comprises a central display that displays information to a user.