Air Purifier Sensor Channel for Accurate Filter EOL Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purifiers face challenges in accurately determining the end-of-life (EOL) of pollutant removal structures, leading to premature or delayed replacements, which can result in unnecessary costs or insufficient air purification, especially for vulnerable groups, due to fixed EOL values not accounting for actual usage and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
An air purification apparatus with a branched sensor channel and a processor that uses a single pollutant sensor to determine pollutant levels in both ambient and purified air, allowing for accurate monitoring of pollutant removal efficiency and timely replacement or servicing by creating underpressure upstream and overpressure downstream, facilitating high air flow velocities and reducing sensor drift issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple air quality sensors are integrated into the air purification machine to monitor pollutant levels before and after the filter layer, then the accuracy of determining filter layer pollution level is improved, but the cost of the air purification machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate detection device as an intermediary component that can be positioned at different locations relative to the air purification machine. This separate device monitors air quality at the inlet and outlet without being integrated into the main machine structure, thereby avoiding the cost increase and complexity associated with integrating multiple sensors into the air purification machine itself while still achieving accurate filter layer pollution level determination
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring function is segmented from the air purification machine into a separate detection device. This segmentation allows the detection device to be independently positioned and configured, enabling accurate pollutant level monitoring before and after the filter layer without requiring multiple integrated sensors within the machine, thus reducing overall system complexity and cost
2Reliability
If multiple air quality sensors are used to detect air quality at the inlet and outlet of the filter layer, then the ability to determine filter layer EOL is improved, but the system complexity and sensor drift issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
A separate detection device serves as an intermediary that simplifies the system architecture. Instead of integrating multiple sensors into the air purification machine which creates complex signal processing and synchronization requirements, the separate device independently measures air quality at different positions and transmits data for analysis, thereby determining filter layer EOL with reduced system complexity and minimized sensor drift interference
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is extracted from the air purification machine into a separate, independent device. This extraction eliminates the complexity of coordinating multiple integrated sensors and their associated signal processing circuits within the machine, while still enabling accurate determination of filter layer end-of-life through comparative analysis of inlet and outlet air quality data
3Ease of operation
If fixed EOL values are used for pollutant removal structures, then the ease of operation is improved, but the accuracy of predicting actual EOL deteriorates due to not accounting for environmental conditions and actual usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring air quality at the inlet and outlet of the filter layer using the detection device. This real-time data feedback enables dynamic assessment of filter layer performance and accurate prediction of actual end-of-life based on observed pollutant removal efficiency, rather than relying on fixed predetermined values that do not account for actual usage patterns and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device enables the system to self-assess filter layer condition by automatically comparing inlet and outlet air quality measurements. This self-service capability allows the system to determine when the filter layer has reached its actual end-of-life based on its own operational data, eliminating the need for manual intervention or reliance on simplified fixed EOL values while maintaining ease of operation through automated monitoring
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 solution enables cost-effective and accurate monitoring of pollutant levels and purification efficiency, ensuring timely replacement of pollutant removal structures, thereby optimizing air purification performance and reducing health risks for vulnerable populations.
Implementation Method 1
In operation, the air displacement apparatus may create an underpressure relative to ambient pressure in a section of the flow channel upstream from the air displacement apparatus whilst at the same time creating an overpressure relative to ambient pressure in a further section of the flow channel downstream from the air displacement apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the first branch is typically connected to the underpressure and the second branch is typically connected to the overpressure, such that air is forced through the respective channels towards the sensor device
Data Source
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AI summary
An air purification apparatus (100) is disclosed that comprises a flow channel (110) extending between an inlet (111) and an outlet (113); a pollutant removal structure (120) and an air displacement apparatus (130) in the flow channel; a branched sensor channel (140) including: a first branch (142) extending between an ambient air port (141) and a further outlet (143) in the flow channel between the inlet and the air displacement apparatus; and a second branch (144) extending between the ambient air port and a further inlet (145) in the flow channel between the air displacement apparatus and the outlet, the first branch and second branch sharing a branch section; at least one sensor (150) in the shared branch section; a valve arrangement (161, 163) in the branched sensor channel adapted to exclusively disconnect the first branch from the flow channel in a first configuration and exclusively disconnect the second branch from the flow channel in a second configuration; and a controller (170) adapted to control the valve arrangement.