Air flow control apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flow control systems in spaces with fans struggle to prevent unwanted movement of objects like paper, ash, soot, dust, and dirt by adjusting the air flow direction or volume effectively, leading to these items being blown around unintentionally.
Innovation Solution
An air flow control apparatus that includes an acquisition section for image data, a detection section to identify specific objects movable by the air flow, and a control section to adjust the air flow direction or volume based on detection results, ensuring these objects are not moved unintentionally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fan generates a strong air flow to achieve effective air circulation, then the air flow volume increases, but objects like paper, ash, soot, dust, and dirt are blown around unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in the target space using image capturing devices before the fan operates. By identifying the presence, type, and position of objects beforehand, the control section can pre-adjust air flow parameters to prevent unwanted object movement while maintaining effective air circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the target space using image capturing devices and provides feedback to the control section. Based on this real-time feedback about object presence and movement, the control section dynamically adjusts air flow direction and volume to prevent objects from being blown around while maintaining overall air circulation effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the air flow direction is adjusted to avoid specific objects, then object movement is prevented, but the overall air circulation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different air flow control strategies to different regions of the target space. Instead of uniformly reducing air flow throughout the entire space, the control section selectively adjusts air flow direction and volume only in specific local areas where objects are detected, maintaining effective air circulation in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow control is segmented into multiple independent control zones based on object detection results. The control section divides the target space into regions with and without objects, applying appropriate air flow adjustments only to necessary zones, thereby maintaining overall circulation efficiency while preventing object movement in protected zones.
3Measurement precision
If image processing is performed to accurately detect objects, then detection precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image capturing devices to create visual copies (images) of objects in the target space instead of requiring direct physical sensing. This optical copying approach enables accurate object detection and identification without complex mechanical or sensor systems, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining high detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An air flow control apparatus controls a fan. The air flow control apparatus includes an acquisition section, a detection section, and a control section. The acquisition section acquires image data obtained by an image capturing device installed in a target space. The detection section detects a specific object movable by an air flow sent from the fan, based on the image data acquired by the acquisition section. The control section executes first processing. The first processing includes controlling at least one of a direction and a volume of an air flow sent from the fan, based on a result of detection by the detection section.