System and method for adjusting mitigation thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor air quality (IAQ) systems for buildings lack efficient methods to dynamically adjust mitigation device operations based on real-time air quality parameters, leading to suboptimal performance and potential overuse or underuse of systems.
Innovation Solution
An IAQ system that includes sensors to measure parameters like relative humidity, particulate matter, VOCs, and carbon dioxide, with a mitigation module that selectively turns on/off devices based on set thresholds, and an adjustment mechanism to optimize these thresholds based on baseline values and real-time data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed thresholds are used for mitigation device operation, then system simplicity is maintained, but air quality management becomes suboptimal with overuse or underuse of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts thresholds based on baseline IAQ parameter values without requiring manual user input. The processor independently determines baseline values from sensor data and modifies thresholds accordingly, enabling the system to self-optimize its air quality management performance while maintaining operational simplicity for users
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors IAQ parameters through sensors, compares real-time values against thresholds, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust thresholds based on determined baseline values. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables adaptive optimization of mitigation device operation while maintaining system simplicity through automated control
2Reliability
If mitigation devices operate continuously, then air quality is consistently maintained, but energy consumption and device wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational thresholds based on determined baseline IAQ values rather than using fixed thresholds. This allows the mitigation devices to operate only when necessary based on real-time conditions, maintaining reliable air quality control while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption and device wear
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (thresholds) of the mitigation devices based on baseline IAQ parameter values. By adjusting these thresholds dynamically, the system ensures devices operate reliably when needed while reducing energy consumption by avoiding operation during normal baseline conditions
3Loss of energy
If high thresholds are set for mitigation device activation, then device usage is reduced, but air quality may deteriorate before intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines baseline IAQ parameter values and adjusts thresholds based on these baselines. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures thresholds are optimally set for each environment - high enough to save energy during normal baseline conditions, but low enough to trigger timely intervention when air quality deteriorates from the baseline
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors IAQ parameters and uses this feedback to maintain appropriate threshold settings based on baseline values. This ensures energy savings are achieved during normal operation while the system remains sensitive to air quality deterioration and triggers mitigation device operation when necessary
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4A
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.