Air Filter Replacement Scheduling Using Utilization and Environmental Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing air filters in network-connected devices, such as IoT devices, lack the ability to proactively determine when to replace filters based on both air filter utilization data and environmental data.

Innovation Solution

A processing system that obtains air filter utilization data and environmental data to determine filter changing actions, and transmits instructions to implement these actions, such as replacing or upgrading filters, based on predicted future conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If filter replacement is based on fixed time intervals, then maintenance simplicity is improved, but filter performance reliability deteriorates because actual usage conditions vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance simplicityVSAvoidfilter performance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring filter utilization data and environmental conditions to predict future filter state, enabling proactive replacement scheduling before performance degradation occurs rather than relying on fixed intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously collecting filter utilization data and environmental data, analyzing the relationship between usage patterns and filter degradation, and using this feedback to dynamically adjust replacement timing for optimal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If filter replacement is delayed to extend usage period, then resource utilization is improved, but air quality performance deteriorates when filters are used beyond optimal lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidair quality degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system predicts future filter performance based on current utilization trends and environmental conditions, taking preliminary action to schedule replacement before air quality degradation occurs, thereby extending safe usage period without compromising performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts filter replacement timing based on actual usage patterns and environmental conditions rather than fixed schedules, allowing extension of filter life when conditions permit while ensuring replacement before performance degradation affects air quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If environmental data collection is expanded to improve prediction accuracy, then filter replacement timing precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multi-functional data collection that gathers environmental data serving multiple purposes: predicting filter degradation, optimizing replacement timing, and potentially informing maintenance scheduling for other system components, thereby justifying the added complexity through multiple benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250191422A1Sensor-based air filtration system management

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A processing system including at least one processor may obtain utilization data of an air filter in an air filtration system and environmental data for at least one location associated with the air filtration system. The processing system may then determine at least one filter changing action based upon at least the utilization data and the environmental data and transmit at least one instruction to implement the at least one filter changing action.