Distributed Heat Exchanger Units With Sensor-Based Air Quality Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Insulated buildings face challenges in maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring adequate ventilation, leading to negative impacts on air quality due to the need for mechanical ventilation systems that result in energy losses and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A building system with independently controlled heat exchanger units and sensor systems in each living space, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment of air quality based on CO2, humidity, and noise levels, enabling efficient energy recovery and ventilation optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If insulation of walls, floors, ceilings, roofs and windows is increased to make buildings more energy efficient, then energy loss for heating and cooling is reduced, but ventilation of living spaces is limited which negatively affects air quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building into multiple living spaces, each equipped with its own heat exchanger unit and sensor system. This segmentation allows independent control of ventilation in each space, ensuring adequate air quality while maintaining energy efficiency through localized heat recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor units in each living space continuously monitor air quality parameters and provide feedback to control the operation of local heat exchanger units. This feedback mechanism ensures ventilation is activated only when needed, maintaining air quality without unnecessary energy consumption.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical ventilation is provided to maintain air quality in insulated buildings, then ventilation is improved, but air heated in the building is expelled and replaced by colder outside air which increases heating energy and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of expelling heated air into a benefit by using heat exchanger units that recover heat from the outgoing air and transfer it to the incoming outside air. This transforms the energy loss into a useful heating process, maintaining air quality while minimizing heating energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the heat energy in the expelled air, the system recovers it through heat exchangers that transfer thermal energy from the outgoing air stream to the incoming air stream, thereby recovering valuable heating energy that would otherwise be wasted.
3Loss of energy
If a central heat exchanger unit is provided for the building, then heat exchange between incoming and outgoing air is achieved, but the system complexity increases and the heat exchanger has to be placed relatively far away from relevant living spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single central heat exchanger with multiple distributed heat exchanger units, each located in or near individual living spaces. This segmentation reduces system complexity by creating smaller, independent units that are easier to install and maintain, while also placing the heat exchangers closer to where they are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Each living space is equipped with its own heat exchanger unit, providing localized heat recovery tailored to the specific needs of each space. This local approach eliminates the need for complex central distribution systems and reduces the distance between heat exchangers and living spaces.
4Loss of energy
If air exchange volume is regulated based on temperature sensed by a thermostat, then energy efficiency is improved, but air quality control becomes insufficient as it does not account for other air quality parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring temperature, humidity, and other air quality parameters. This multi-functionality allows the system to make comprehensive air quality assessments and regulate ventilation based on all relevant parameters, not just temperature, thereby improving both energy efficiency and air quality control.
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 system effectively maintains energy efficiency while improving air quality by allowing for precise control of ventilation in different areas of a building, reducing energy consumption and enhancing comfort.
Implementation Method 1
heat can be exchanged in the heat exchanger between air flowing into the at least one living space and air being expelled from said at least one living space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Building, comprising at least one living space, separated from an outside space by at least one outer wall, wherein at least one heat exchanger unit is provided at said outer wall and wherein at least one ventilator is provided for said heat exchanger unit, for forcing air through a heat exchanger of the heat exchanger unit, wherein an air outlet duct is connected to the heat exchanger unit for allowing air to be expelled from the at least one living space through the heat exchanger, such that heat can be exchanged in the heat exchanger between air flowing into the at least one hving space and air being expelled from said at least one living space, wherein in said at least one living space at least one sensor unit is provided for assessment of air quahty and/or noise in said at least one living space and control of the at least one ventilator and/or the at least one heat exchanger unit based on the assessed air quality and/or noise level in said living space.