Image-Based Metabolic Rate Ventilation Control for Accurate Air Volume
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ventilation control systems inaccurately determine ventilation volume based on the presence or absence of a person and carbon dioxide concentration, leading to excess or deficiency in ventilation, as the measured carbon dioxide values may not represent the entire space and do not account for individual metabolic rates and activities.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation control apparatus that uses an image acquisition unit to capture images of a space, calculates a metabolic rate equivalent amount based on attributes such as age, gender, body type, and actions of individuals, and adjusts ventilation volume accordingly to accurately approximate the required ventilation volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ventilation volume is adjusted based on presence/absence of person and carbon dioxide concentration detected by sensor, then ventilation control is implemented, but excess or deficiency in ventilation volume occurs because the measured carbon dioxide value may not be representative and individual metabolic rates are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from simple presence/absence detection to metabolic rate equivalent amount calculation. By analyzing image data to determine attributes (age, gender, body type) and actions of occupants, the system calculates a metabolic rate equivalent amount that more accurately reflects actual ventilation requirements, thereby improving ventilation volume accuracy without requiring complex additional sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an image processing-based metabolic rate calculation mechanism as an intermediary between occupancy detection and ventilation control. This intermediary calculates the metabolic rate equivalent amount based on visual attributes and actions, serving as a more accurate proxy for actual ventilation needs than direct carbon dioxide measurement, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
2Reliability
If carbon dioxide concentration is used to control ventilation, then ventilation is provided based on air quality, but the measured value may not represent the entire space leading to inaccurate ventilation control
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by determining attributes and actions of individuals at specific locations within the space using image analysis. By calculating metabolic rate equivalent amounts for different occupants based on their specific attributes and activities, the system accounts for local variations in ventilation requirements across different positions in the space, thereby improving ventilation control reliability without losing spatial distribution information
3Productivity
If fixed ventilation volume is used regardless of individual characteristics, then system operation is simple, but ventilation volume does not match actual metabolic activity leading to energy waste or insufficient ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by making ventilation volume adjustable based on calculated metabolic rate equivalent amounts. Instead of fixed ventilation, the system dynamically adjusts ventilation volume according to the actual metabolic activity of occupants determined from their attributes and actions, thereby improving ventilation efficiency while optimizing energy consumption to match actual ventilation needs
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation device control apparatus includes an image acquisition unit, a first calculation unit, and a ventilation control unit. The image acquisition unit acquires a captured image from an image capturing device that captures an image of a target space. The first calculation unit calculates a metabolic rate equivalent amount of a person in the target space, based on the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit. The ventilation control unit adjusts a ventilation volume of the target space by a ventilation device that ventilates the target space, based on the metabolic rate equivalent amount calculated by the first calculation unit. A ventilation system further includes the image capturing device and the ventilation device.