Air Purifier Control Using Sensor Co-Location Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air treatment devices often lack sensors or have limited sensing capabilities, leading to ineffective control and potential misinterpretation of air quality parameters, such as particle concentration, especially when sensors and purifiers are not co-located in the same ambient air space.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment system comprising an air purifier, a sensor, and a controller that determines whether the sensor and purifier are co-located by analyzing sensor data during a test mode, allowing the controller to adjust the purifier's operation based on sensor data only if they are in the same ambient air space, thereby improving control and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the air purifier operates based on sensor data without verifying co-location, then the control responsiveness is improved, but the reliability of control deteriorates due to potential misinterpretation of air quality parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary co-location verification test before enabling sensor-based control. The controller determines whether the sensor and air purifier are in the same ambient air space by analyzing sensor data during a test mode, and only if they are confirmed to be co-located, the controller will control the air purifier based on sensor data from that sensor. This preliminary action ensures control reliability while maintaining responsiveness.
2Reliability
If the air purifier continuously operates to maintain air quality, then the air treatment effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor data as feedback to dynamically adjust the air purifier's operation. The controller monitors real-time air quality parameters detected by the co-located sensor and adjusts the purifier's operation accordingly, enabling it to operate at lower power levels when air quality is good and increase operation only when needed, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The air purifier's operation is made dynamic rather than static. The controller adjusts operational parameters based on real-time sensor data, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current air quality conditions. This dynamic operation enables the purifier to consume less energy during good air quality periods while maintaining effectiveness when pollution levels rise.
3Measurement precision
If separate air sensors are purchased to supplement air treatment devices, then the sensing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the air sensor and air purifier into a single unified system with a common controller. The controller manages both the purifier operation and sensor data processing, eliminating the need for separate standalone sensors and reducing overall system complexity. The sensor becomes part of the purifier's control ecosystem rather than an independent device.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it controls the air purifier's operation, processes sensor data, determines co-location status, and adjusts operational parameters based on air quality readings. This multi-functional controller eliminates the need for separate control units for the purifier and sensor, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An air treatment system (100) is provided that comprises an air purifier (110) arranged to treat a first parameter of ambient air; a controller (130) arranged to control operation of the air purifier (110); and a sensor (120) arranged to detect a value indicative of the first parameter, and to output sensor data indicative of the value to the controller. The controller (130) is arranged to determine whether the sensor (120) and the air purifier (110) are in a same air space by controlling the air purifier (110) to operate in a test mode and analyzing sensor data from the sensor (120) received during the test mode. If the sensor (120) and the air purifier (110) are determined to be in the same air space, the controller (130) is arranged to control the air purifier (110) to operate in a mode based on sensor data from the sensor (120).