Air Purifier Control Using Co-Located Air Quality Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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, resulting in inefficient operation and unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment system comprising an air purifier, a sensor, and a controller that determines whether the sensor and air purifier are co-located in the same ambient air space, allowing the controller to adjust operation modes based on sensor data for optimized performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air treatment devices are provided with sensors to measure air quality parameters, then control accuracy and operational efficiency are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air treatment device and sensor into an integrated system where the sensor is incorporated within or alongside the air treatment device. This merging allows the sensor data to directly inform the control logic of the air treatment device, improving operational efficiency while avoiding the complexity of completely separate systems through unified architecture and shared processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller in the air treatment device performs multiple functions: it controls the air treatment operation and simultaneously processes sensor data to determine co-location and adjust operations accordingly. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to serve both air treatment and environmental monitoring purposes, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If air treatment devices use sensor data for control, then operational precision is improved, but reliability decreases when sensor and device are not co-located
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where sensor data is continuously monitored and used to adjust air treatment operations. The controller receives sensor readings, determines whether the sensor is co-located with the device by analyzing spatial relationships, and only uses the sensor data for control when co-location is confirmed. This feedback loop ensures operational precision when conditions are appropriate while maintaining reliability by validating sensor relevance before use.
Solution Approach 2:
Before using sensor data for control decisions, the system performs a preliminary check to determine whether the sensor and air treatment device are co-located in the same ambient air space. This preliminary action of verifying spatial relationship ensures that only relevant sensor data is used, preventing unreliable control decisions from sensors in different locations while maintaining precision when co-location is confirmed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If air purifier operates continuously to maintain air quality, then air quality parameter stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment device operates dynamically rather than continuously, with the controller adjusting operation modes based on real-time sensor data analysis. When sensor data indicates poor air quality and co-location is confirmed, the device increases operation intensity; when air quality is acceptable or sensor relevance is uncertain, operation is reduced or suspended. This dynamic operation maintains air quality stability when needed while significantly reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on sensor data and co-location determination. The controller adjusts fan speed, filtration intensity, and operational timing according to the quality and relevance of sensor information. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain air quality stability through targeted intervention rather than continuous operation, optimizing the balance between performance and energy consumption.
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
Improves control and efficiency of air purifiers by ensuring accurate data-driven operation, reducing energy consumption and maintaining desired air quality parameters.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor arranged to detect a value indicative of the first parameter, and to output sensor data indicative of the value to the controller
Implementation Method 2
an air purifier arranged to filter a surrounding ambient air to treat a first parameter of said ambient air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
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).