Air Cleaner Breakthrough Time Prediction Using Upstream Gas Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaning apparatuses struggle to accurately predict the breakthrough time of filtering portions when the concentration of poisonous gases, air flow rate, temperature, and humidity vary, leading to potential health risks due to inaccurate filter replacement timing and obstructed field of vision from large sensors.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaning apparatus equipped with an arithmetic processing unit that calculates breakthrough time using a prediction formula incorporating the concentration of poisonous gases, air flow rate, temperature, and humidity, allowing for precise prediction of filter lifespan and operation even in dynamic environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a semiconductor odor sensor is used to detect hydrogen sulfide gas concentration on the downstream side of the canister, then the apparatus can detect the concentration of poisonous gas, but the apparatus cannot accurately predict the life span of the canister when work environment conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring gas concentration on the upstream side of the filtering portion before the gas enters the filter, and by pre-establishing breakthrough time prediction formulas that account for various environmental conditions. This allows the system to predict canister life span accurately without needing to place sensors inside the filter housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a flow rate measuring unit and arithmetic processing unit that calculate breakthrough time based on upstream gas concentration, flow rate, temperature, and humidity. This intermediary calculation system bridges the gap between simple concentration detection and accurate life span prediction under varying conditions.
2Measurement precision
If a first gas sensor is provided on the upstream side of the filter to measure molecular concentration of unnecessary gases, then the apparatus can detect gas concentration, but the apparatus cannot predict reduction of breakthrough time when molecular concentration of unnecessary gas in outside air is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by incorporating multiple variables (concentration, flow rate, temperature, humidity) into the breakthrough time prediction formula. This allows the system to adapt to varying gas conditions and accurately predict breakthrough time reduction when molecular concentration of unnecessary gas in outside air is high.
3Measurement precision
If a second gas sensor with high precision is provided on the downstream side of the filter, then the apparatus can detect gas concentration accurately, but the gas mask wearer's field of vision is obstructed and work is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas detection function from the downstream position (inside the mask housing) and relocates it to the upstream side (outside the mask). By placing the gas sensor on the upstream side where the gas concentration is highest and easily measurable, the system achieves high detection precision without obstructing the wearer's field of vision.
4Reliability
If judgment on magnitude is made by comparing amount of removal with limit removal offensive gas amount, then the apparatus can determine filter deterioration, but it is difficult to judge in stages the state of deterioration of the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously calculating the degree of breakthrough progress based on real-time measurements of upstream gas concentration, flow rate, temperature, and humidity. This continuous feedback mechanism allows the system to judge filter deterioration in stages by comparing the current breakthrough progress against predefined thresholds, providing detailed information about the filter's remaining life.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air cleaning apparatus capable of predicting a breakthrough time of a filtering portion is provided. Regarding a mask 1 as one example of the air cleaning apparatus, data on concentration of the poisonous gas element with which in ambient air (40) is contaminated on the upstream side of a filtering portion (3), a flow rate of the air (40) passing through the filtering portion (3), a temperature of the air (40), and relative humidity of the air (40) are input to an arithmetic processing unit (25). A breakthrough-time prediction formula in which the concentration, the flow rate, the temperature, and the relative humidity are provided as variables is programmed in the arithmetic processing unit (25), and the breakthrough time of the filtering portion (3) is calculated through the prediction formula, based on the data on the concentration and the like.