Building Air Inlet Control Using Central and Local Ventilation Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building ventilation systems face challenges in precisely controlling air inlet hatches due to external humidity and temperature influences, leading to inconsistent air regulation and poor ventilation precision.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation system with electronically controlled air inlet means featuring controllable air passage sections, integrated with sensors and a central/local control unit system that prioritizes user input, allowing for precise adjustment of air flow based on internal and external environmental parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a humidity-sensitive device is positioned between the interior and exterior of the building to control air inlet hatches, then the system can respond to environmental changes, but the control precision deteriorates due to external humidity and temperature influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to environmental changesVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent sensors positioned in different locations (interior, exterior, and near the air inlet) and multiple control units (local and central) that process data separately before coordinated action. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between local humidity conditions and external environmental influences, resolving the precision problem while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A central control unit acts as an intermediary that receives and processes data from multiple humidity sensors positioned at different locations. The central unit synthesizes this information to make control decisions, filtering out external environmental noise while responding to genuine ventilation needs. This intermediary approach maintains both precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the humidity-sensitive device is positioned near the air inlet opening, then the system can directly detect external conditions, but control reliability deteriorates due to underestimation of internal humidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidcontrol reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges data from multiple humidity sensors positioned at different locations (exterior near air inlet, interior, and other strategic points) into a comprehensive control decision. By combining these measurements, the system maintains fast response to external changes while ensuring accurate representation of internal humidity conditions, thus preserving both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to universally process humidity data from multiple sources and locations through a centralized control unit. This multi-functional approach allows the same control infrastructure to reliably handle both external detection and internal condition monitoring, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining detection speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If air inlet hatches are controlled independently of air extraction vents, then each can respond to local conditions, but system coordination deteriorates leading to poor ventilation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal response capabilityVSAvoidventilation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary assessment of both interior and exterior humidity conditions before activating ventilation. The central control unit evaluates the need for ventilation based on synthesized sensor data, then coordinates the opening of air inlet hatches and activation of extraction vents in a pre-planned sequence. This preliminary coordination ensures both local adaptability and system-wide ventilation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This system enhances air renewal and maintains air quality by accurately modulating outside air entry according to reliable data, improving user comfort and ventilation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Moisture-sensitive fabric fibers stretch when there is moisture in the air and shrink when the air is dry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHygroscopic expansion and contraction:

Implementation Method 2

The negative pressure generated by the mechanical ventilation unit allows air to enter the building through the air inlet hatches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2998657B1Ventilation system for a building and air inlet means with a controllable air passage section
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 ATLANTIC CLIMATISATION ET VENTILATION
  • EP2998657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

This building ventilation system (21) comprises air inlet means with controllable air passage section (2), at least one air exhaust means (12), control means (8, 9) cooperating with the air inlet means (2) and controlling their opening and closing. This system also comprises at least one means for inputting data relating to at least one parameter of the environment inside and/or outside the building and/or to at least one presence inside the building . The control means (8, 9) comprise electronic control units electrically controlling the opening and closing of the air inlet means (2) as a function of at least one acquired input datum, so as to adjusting the opening of the air passage section of the air inlet means (2). These control means also include a central control unit (8) and local control units (9). The activation of a local control unit (9) takes priority over the central control unit (8), which makes it possible to control the opening-closing of the air inlet means (2).