Air Sensor Calibration Using Purified Zero Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air sensors in air treatment devices often drift over time, leading to inconsistent measurements and inaccurate air quality indications, making it difficult for users to determine if indoor air quality has improved, and requiring inconvenient external zero air calibration.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment device generates clean air locally to calibrate its air sensor, using a processor to control the air flow and determine if the purified air meets predefined criteria, allowing for accurate calibration without external zero air generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external zero air is used to calibrate the air sensor, then the air sensor can be calibrated, but the user has to make efforts to find zero air which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment device generates its own zero air through the air purifying unit for calibration purposes, eliminating the need for external zero air sources. The processor controls the air flow path to direct the generated zero air to the air sensor, enabling the device to calibrate itself autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration function is merged with the air purification function. The air purifying unit that normally purifies ambient air is also used to generate zero air for calibration, and the air flow path is shared between normal operation and calibration modes through the switch mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the air sensor is not calibrated regularly, then the device operation is simple, but the measurement output drifts over time leading to wrong air quality indications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration action by generating zero air and calibrating the air sensor at scheduled intervals or under specific conditions. The processor automatically manages the calibration process, including controlling the switch to direct zero air to the sensor and adjusting the sensor output accordingly, so users don't need to manually intervene.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor monitors the air sensor output and automatically initiates calibration when drift is detected or according to a schedule. The calibration process itself provides feedback by adjusting the sensor baseline based on the known zero air condition, ensuring continued measurement accuracy.
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 method provides convenient and accurate calibration of air sensors, ensuring reliable air quality indications by using the device's own purified air to calibrate the sensor, improving user confidence and reducing calibration efforts.
Implementation Method 1
an air purifying unit configured to purify air
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
One embodiment of the invention provides an air treatment device. The air treatment device comprises: an air purifying unit, configured to purify air; an air sensor, configured to measure a first air quantity and provide a measurement output, wherein the first air quantity comprises the purified air purified by the air purifying unit; and a processor, configured to generate a first value based on the measurement output of the air sensor so as to calibrate the air sensor. With the air treatment device of one embodiment of the invention, clean air, i.e. zero air, is generated locally by the air treatment device so as to calibrate the air sensor, without the need for externally generating the zero air, which brings convenience for the user or other operators performing calibration of the air sensor of the air treatment device. Another embodiment of the invention also provides a method of calibrating an air sensor of an air treatment device. The method comprises the steps of: purifying air by using the air treatment device; and measuring a first air quantity by using the air sensor to get a first value so as to calibrate the air sensor, wherein the first air quantity comprises the purified air.