Systems and methods for adjusting mitigation thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor air quality (IAQ) systems for buildings lack efficient and adaptive control mechanisms to manage multiple air quality parameters like humidity, particulates, VOCs, and carbon dioxide, often leading to overuse or underuse of mitigation devices and inadequate air quality maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An IAQ system with sensors for measuring relative humidity, particulates, VOCs, and carbon dioxide, featuring a mitigation module that adjusts thresholds based on baseline values and responses to mitigate device operations, optimizing the operation of devices like air purifiers, humidifiers, and ventilators to maintain optimal indoor air quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed predetermined thresholds are used to control mitigation devices, then the control logic is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying baseline air quality conditions leading to overuse or underuse of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing a baseline air quality measurement during an initial period before mitigation devices are activated. This baseline serves as a reference point that enables subsequent adaptive threshold adjustments, allowing the system to adapt to specific building conditions without complex real-time control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the thresholds for turning mitigation devices on and off based on the established baseline air quality. The thresholds are modified as a function of the baseline measurement, enabling the system to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining relatively simple control logic that compares current readings against adjusted thresholds.
2Reliability
If mitigation devices are operated continuously to ensure air quality, then air quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring current air quality parameters and comparing them against dynamically adjusted thresholds that are derived from baseline measurements. This feedback mechanism allows the system to operate mitigation devices only when necessary, maintaining air quality reliability while avoiding continuous operation and associated energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the control thresholds variable rather than fixed. The thresholds are adjusted based on the established baseline air quality, allowing the system to adapt its operation to actual conditions. This dynamic approach ensures reliable air quality maintenance while optimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary device operation.
3Productivity
If thresholds are adjusted frequently to optimize performance, then air quality control improves, but system stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing a stable baseline air quality measurement during an initial period before any threshold adjustments are made. This one-time baseline establishment provides a stable reference point that enables subsequent threshold adjustments without requiring frequent changes, thereby maintaining system stability while improving air quality control efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by adjusting thresholds based on the established baseline, but these adjustments are made once rather than frequently. The thresholds remain stable after the initial adjustment, providing predictable and stable control while still optimizing air quality management for the specific building conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes an IAQ sensor that is located within the building and that is configured to measure an IAQ parameter, the IAQ parameter being one of: a relative humidity (RH) of air; an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air; an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in air; and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air. A mitigation module is configured to: selectively turn on a mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a first threshold; and selectively turn off the mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a second threshold. A thresholds module is configured to: set the first and second thresholds to predetermined default values; and selectively adjust at least one of the first and second thresholds.