IoT Air Purifier Control for Clothing Dust and Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air purifiers do not effectively prevent the scattering of dust removed from clothing, leading to indoor pollution and potential inhalation of dust particles, and they lack efficient energy management and outdoor air quality-based operation.

Innovation Solution

An air purifying system comprising a main air cleaner and a portable air quality sensor IoT device that communicates to control the main air cleaner based on outdoor air quality, using a portable air cleaner to suction dust from clothing and integrating energy-saving features to reduce indoor pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a multifunctional dryer blows air through an opening toward a body and clothes to remove dust, then dust removal from clothes is improved, but dust scatters into the room causing indoor pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal capabilityVSAvoidindoor air pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable air purifier as an intermediary device between the dust source (clothes) and the indoor environment. This handheld purifier with a suction nozzle directly removes dust from clothes by creating negative pressure, preventing dust from scattering into the room while effectively cleaning the garments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical blowing action (which scatters dust) with a suction-based pneumatic system. The portable air purifier uses a fan to create negative pressure and draw dust particles directly from the clothes surface into the filtration system, eliminating the harmful scattering effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the main air cleaner operates continuously to maintain indoor air quality, then air cleanliness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor air qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the air cleaner operation based on real-time air quality monitoring. The system adjusts the fan speed and purification capacity according to the measured air quality level, operating at high capacity when pollution is detected and reducing operation when air quality is good, thereby optimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates air quality sensors that continuously monitor indoor air conditions and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the air cleaner to automatically adjust its operation, turning on or off based on whether air quality thresholds are exceeded, ensuring reliable air quality maintenance while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the air purifier increases fan speed to handle high outdoor pollution, then indoor air quality protection is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair quality protectionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of fan speed based on real-time air quality monitoring. When outdoor pollution levels are high, the system automatically increases fan speed to enhance purification capacity and protect indoor air quality. When pollution levels are low, the fan speed is reduced, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters (fan speed, purification capacity) of the air cleaner based on the measured air quality conditions. The system adjusts these parameters dynamically to match the pollution level, using higher power consumption only when necessary for effective air quality protection, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The system effectively reduces dust scattering and inhalation risks while optimizing energy consumption by automatically adjusting operations based on outdoor air quality, ensuring a cleaner indoor environment.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to sense air quality of an outdoor space outside of the indoor space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir quality sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an air purifier having a fan to suction air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow generation:

Implementation Method 3

a filter to filter pollutants or contaminants including dust, germs, etc. in the suctioned air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3712519B1Air purifying system and method for controlling the air purifying system
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3712519B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3712519B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3712519B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An air purifying system may include a main air purifier placed in an indoor space, a handheld air purifier mounted on the main air purifier, and an air quality sensor IOT device that communicates with the main air purifier. The air quality sensor IOT device may be fixed in an outdoor space adjacent to the indoor space, or may be carried by a user to measure air quality data while the user travels. The main air purifier may automatically operate based on air quality data received from the air quality sensor IOT device.