Clean room system and method of operating the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clean room systems lack efficient and adaptive control mechanisms to regulate clean room conditions based on usage, energy consumption, and environmental factors, leading to suboptimal performance and energy inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A clean room system equipped with a computing unit that monitors and regulates clean room electronics units based on usage, presence of people, particle concentration, and environmental conditions, including weather, to optimize energy usage and maintain consistent clean room conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clean room electronics units operate continuously to maintain clean room conditions, then reliability of clean room conditions is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclean room conditions maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation of clean room electronics units based on real-time monitoring of particle concentration and usage data. Instead of continuous operation, the system modulates equipment operation to match actual clean room needs, improving energy efficiency while maintaining reliability through adaptive control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring particle concentration, usage patterns, and energy consumption, then using this information to adjust the operation of clean room electronics units. This closed-loop control ensures clean room conditions are maintained reliably while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If clean room electronics units are controlled based on particle concentration and usage data, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring particle concentration, tracking usage data, analyzing energy consumption, and adjusting equipment operation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control system, the patent improves energy efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically analyzes monitoring data and adjusts clean room electronics unit operation without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability simplifies operation while maintaining the sophisticated control needed for energy efficiency, as the system manages its own optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If monitoring and control based on presence and environmental factors is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but measurement and detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption reductionVSAvoidpresence and environmental factor detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple monitoring functions (particle concentration detection, presence sensing, environmental factor measurement) into an integrated monitoring network. By merging these detection capabilities, the system reduces energy consumption through coordinated control while managing the complexity of multiple sensors through unified data processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediate control layer that processes data from various sensors and translates it into equipment control decisions. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity of detecting multiple parameters by providing a unified interface between sensing and actuation, enabling energy reduction without overwhelming measurement complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2886966B2Clean room system and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 SCHILLING ENG
  • EP2886966B2 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention is based on a clean room system with at least one room (12) that is closed off in at least one operating state and with at least one clean room electronics unit (14) for providing clean room conditions in the at least one room (12). It is proposed that the clean room system has at least one computing unit (16) which is provided for use- and/or consumption-based regulation of the at least one clean room electronics unit (14).