Method for efficient deployment of a cluster of air purification devices in large indoor and outdoor spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air purification systems lack an efficient method to strategically deploy air purification devices in large indoor and outdoor spaces, leading to suboptimal air quality improvement due to random or unguided placement.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a computer system to access three-dimensional representations of target spaces, sensor data, and device characteristics to simulate pollutant distributions and calculate optimal positions for air purification devices, considering spatial constraints and pollutant dynamics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If air purification devices are deployed using random or unguided placement, then deployment simplicity is maintained, but air quality improvement effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidair quality improvement effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by conducting computational fluid dynamics simulations and pollutant distribution analysis before actual device deployment. This pre-planning phase identifies optimal device positions and configurations, ensuring that when devices are deployed, they are strategically placed for maximum effectiveness rather than randomly positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual three-dimensional representation (digital twin) of the target space that replicates the physical environment's geometry, boundaries, and pollutant sources. This virtual model allows for simulation and optimization of device placement without affecting the actual physical space, enabling informed deployment decisions while maintaining real-world accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If strategic deployment methods with simulation and optimization are implemented, then air quality improvement effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair quality improvement effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex deployment system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a virtual model creation module that builds three-dimensional representations, a simulation module that performs computational fluid dynamics analysis, an optimization module that determines optimal device positions, and a deployment module that implements the plan. This modular segmentation manages complexity by allowing each component to be developed and optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual three-dimensional representation serves as an intermediary between the physical space and the optimization algorithms. Instead of directly analyzing complex real-world geometries and pollutant dynamics, the system works with this simplified virtual model, which captures essential features while enabling efficient computation and iteration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If more air purification devices are deployed to improve air quality, then air quality improvement effectiveness is improved, but investment cost worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair quality improvement effectivenessVSAvoidinvestment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes key parameters including device placement coordinates, device orientation angles, device selection from available models, and operational settings such as airflow rates. By systematically varying and optimizing these parameters through simulation, the system identifies the minimum number and configuration of devices needed to achieve target air quality levels, avoiding both under-deployment and wasteful over-deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12320537B2Method for efficient deployment of a cluster of air purification devices in large indoor and outdoor spaces
Publication Date: 2025.06.03 PRAAN INC
  • US12320537B2 patent drawing
  • US12320537B2 patent drawing
  • US12320537B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for distributing a set of air purification devices in a target space comprising: accessing a void volume representing the target space; accessing a set of observed parameter data streams recorded by a set of air sensors with the target space during an observation period, the set of observed parameter data streams comprising a set of pollutant concentration data streams of a pollutant, a set of air speed data streams, and a set of air direction data streams; simulating a distribution of the pollutant in the void volume reproducing the set of observed parameter data streams based on the set of observed parameter data streams; accessing a set of device characteristics for a set of air purification devices to be deployed within the target space; and calculating a set of device positions in the void volume based on the distribution of the pollutant and the set of device characteristics.