Air filtering unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filtering systems with high filter efficiency require excessive energy due to high pressure drop, wasting energy when high efficiency is not necessary for maintaining indoor air quality.
Innovation Solution
An air filtering unit that dynamically adjusts filter efficiency based on indoor air quality, using a controller to switch between high and low efficiency filters, and optionally incorporates outdoor air intake to optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high filter efficiency filters are used, then indoor air quality is improved, but energy consumption increases due to high pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between high efficiency and low efficiency filters based on real-time indoor air quality measurements. The controller adjusts filter selection according to actual pollution levels, making the filtering system adaptive rather than static, thus optimizing energy consumption while maintaining air quality standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the filtering efficiency parameter based on measured air quality conditions. When pollution levels are low, the system switches to low efficiency filters to reduce energy consumption. When pollution levels exceed thresholds, it switches to high efficiency filters, thereby dynamically adjusting the filtering parameter to match actual needs.
2Reliability
If high filter efficiency filters are used continuously, then air quality is maintained, but energy is wasted when high efficiency is not necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses air quality sensors to continuously monitor indoor air quality and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller determines whether high efficiency filtering is necessary and switches filters accordingly, eliminating energy waste during periods when air quality is already acceptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own operational needs through integrated sensors and makes autonomous decisions about filter selection. The controller self-adjusts the filtering efficiency based on real-time air quality data without requiring manual intervention, optimizing energy usage while maintaining air quality standards.
3Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic filter switching is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single controller that manages both air quality monitoring and filter selection. The controller serves as a universal component that processes sensor data, makes decisions, and actuates the appropriate filter, thereby managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate dedicated components for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces energy consumption by using lower efficiency filters when indoor air quality is sufficient, while ensuring high efficiency filtration during poor air quality, thus balancing energy savings with air quality maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter device; a second filter device, wherein the first filter device has a higher filtering efficiency than the second filter device
Implementation Method 2
an indoor damper arrangement comprising one or more damper elements controllable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
An air filtering unit 100 for filtering air from an indoor setting, the air filtering unit 100 comprising: a housing 110 comprising: a first indoor inlet air path 111 and a second indoor inlet air path 112 for receiving indoor air, and an outlet 113 for discharge of filtered air, wherein all indoor air entering the housing 110 must flow through the first indoor inlet air path 111 or the second indoor inlet air path 112 in order to reach the outlet 113; an indoor damper arrangement 120 comprising one or more damper elements controllable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the first indoor inlet air path 111 is open whilst the second indoor inlet air path 112 is closed to airflow, and wherein in the second configuration the second indoor inlet air path 112 is open whilst the first indoor inlet air path 111 is closed to airflow; a first filter device 130; a second filter device 140, wherein the first filter device 130 has a higher filtering efficiency than the second filter device 140, wherein indoor air flowing through the first indoor inlet air path 111 is directed through the first filter device 130 and indoor air flowing through the second indoor inlet air path 112 is directed through the second filter device 140; a controller 122 for controlling the indoor damper arrangement 120; wherein the controller 122 is configured to communicate with a building management system 150 or a smartphone app and the controller 122 controls the indoor air damper arrangement 120 responsive to instructions received from the building management system 150 or smartphone app; and/or the air filtering unit 100 further comprises an indoor air quality sensor 121 for obtaining a measurement relating to indoor air quality within the indoor setting, wherein the controller 122 controls the indoor air damper arrangement 120 responsive to the measurement such that when the measurement indicates that the indoor air quality is below a predetermined level, the controller 122 is configured to place the indoor damper arrangement 120 in the first configuration, and when the indoor air quality is above the predetermined level the controller 122 places the indoor damper arrangement 120 in the second configuration.