Enclosure Ventilation Control Using Air Quality and Occupancy Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems in enclosures fail to maintain optimal atmospheric quality due to inadequate monitoring and control, leading to decreased occupant wellbeing and increased infection risk, particularly in high occupancy areas, as they do not adjust ventilation rates effectively to account for varying concentrations of gases and occupancy levels.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing sensors to detect atmospheric components like CO2, VOC, and particulate matter, combined with occupancy detection using ultrawide band radio waves, infrared, and cameras, to calculate and adjust ventilation rates dynamically, ensuring optimal indoor air quality while minimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing ventilation systems operate at fixed rates, then system simplicity is maintained, but atmospheric quality deteriorates due to inability to respond to varying occupancy and pollutant levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor atmospheric components (CO2, VOCs, particulates) and occupancy levels, and the ventilation system automatically adjusts its operation based on these measurements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling dynamic response to environmental conditions while maintaining systematic control through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system transitions from fixed static operation to dynamic adjustment based on real-time sensor data. The system modulates ventilation rates according to varying occupancy levels and pollutant concentrations, allowing it to adapt to changing conditions. This dynamic behavior improves atmospheric quality reliability while the automated control manages the complexity of continuous adjustment.
2Reliability
If ventilation rate is increased to improve atmospheric quality, then pollutant removal is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the ventilation rate parameter based on measured atmospheric conditions and occupancy. Rather than operating at constant high rates, the ventilation system adjusts its flow rate to match actual needs, reducing energy consumption when pollutant levels are low or occupancy is minimal while maintaining atmospheric quality when conditions require enhanced ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system uses its own sensor data to make autonomous decisions about operating intensity. By self-regulating based on internal measurements of atmospheric quality and occupancy, the system avoids unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring adequate ventilation only when and where needed, resolving the energy-quality tradeoff.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to monitor atmospheric components, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent sensor units, each measuring specific atmospheric parameters (CO2, VOCs, particulates, temperature, humidity). This segmentation allows for specialized measurement capabilities while distributing system complexity across modular components. Each sensor focuses on specific measurements, and the overall system integrates these specialized measurements to achieve comprehensive atmospheric monitoring with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor network is designed with multi-functional capabilities where sensors can detect various atmospheric parameters and the system can serve multiple functions including occupancy detection, air quality monitoring, and ventilation control. This universality allows a single integrated system to perform multiple measurement tasks, improving overall measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity through dedicated separate systems for each function.
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 effectively maintains optimal indoor air quality by dynamically adjusting ventilation rates based on real-time atmospheric and occupancy data, reducing the risk of pathogen proliferation and energy waste, while improving occupant comfort and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
determining a present concentration of a substance in the atmosphere of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
occupancy detection using ultrawide band radio waves, infrared, and cameras
Implementation Method 3
occupancy detection using ultrawide band radio waves, infrared, and cameras
Implementation Method 4
adjusting a ventilation system based at least in part on the atmosphere exchange rate determined
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein as methods, apparatuses, non-transitory computer readable media, and systems for controlling atmospheric quality of an enclosed zone (e.g., at least one enclosure, an enclosure, or a portion of an enclosure), e.g., by controlling ventilation of the zone and/or adjusting a chemical content of an atmosphere of the enclosed zone.