Inside air control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inside air control systems face increased running costs due to unnecessary replacement of gas sensors that temporarily output abnormal values, often due to condensation issues, rather than actual damage.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a controller that determines the normalcy of gas sensors by supplying outdoor air and comparing measured values, allowing continued use without replacement unless absolutely necessary, and calibrates sensors based on outdoor air measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas sensors are replaced whenever abnormal measured values are output, then measurement reliability is improved, but running cost increases due to unnecessary replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary diagnostic actions by supplying outdoor air to the gas sensor before replacement. The controller measures the concentration of target gas in outdoor air (which has known concentration) and compares it with the sensor's reading to determine whether the abnormal measurement is due to sensor failure or temporary condensation, thereby avoiding unnecessary replacements
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the measured values from gas sensors and automatically initiating diagnostic procedures when abnormalities are detected. The controller uses the feedback from outdoor air measurement comparisons to determine whether sensor replacement is actually necessary, optimizing the balance between reliability and cost
2Measurement precision
If gas sensors are replaced when condensation occurs, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to unnecessary maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-diagnosis by automatically detecting when a gas sensor outputs abnormal values and initiating the outdoor air supply procedure to determine the cause. This self-service capability distinguishes between temporary condensation issues (where the sensor can continue operating) and actual failures requiring replacement, reducing unnecessary maintenance complexity
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 approach reduces unnecessary repairs and maintenance costs by accurately assessing sensor functionality and calibrating sensors, ensuring accurate air composition control within target ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a gas sensor (92) configured to measure a concentration of a target gas contained in inside air in a storage (1)
Implementation Method 2
supply outdoor air through the outdoor air supply passage (255, 281) to the gas sensor (92)
Implementation Method 3
the gas sensor on which condensation has occurred, for example, may output an abnormal measured value
Implementation Method 4
evaporation of condensed water after a lapse of a certain period of time allows the gas sensor to again output the correct measured value
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A carbon dioxide sensor (92) measures the carbon dioxide concentration of inside air. An inside air control system (30) controls the carbon dioxide concentration of the inside air based on a measured value obtained by the carbon dioxide sensor (92). If the measured value obtained by the carbon dioxide sensor (92) returns to a predetermined normal range after falling outside the normal range, the controller (110) of the inside air control system (30) performs a determination operation. The determination operation is an operation for supplying outdoor air to the carbon dioxide sensor (92) to determine whether or not the carbon dioxide sensor (92) is normal.