Air cleaning system and method for controlling the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

In complex indoor spaces, multiple air cleaners installed to improve air quality often experience measurement noise and reduced sensor lifetime due to independent operation, leading to incorrect measurement values and decreased efficiency, as well as issues with faulty sensors causing operational failures.

Innovation Solution

An air cleaning system with a controller that links dust sensors across multiple air cleaners through network communication, allowing for comparison and correction of measurement values, selection of a master sensor, and coordinated operation to ensure accurate air quality assessment and efficient purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple air cleaners are installed in the same space to improve air quality, then air cleaning coverage is improved, but measurement noise increases and sensor lifetime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair cleaning coverageVSAvoidsensor measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple dust sensors installed in the same space into a single coordinated measurement system. The controller receives data from multiple sensors, identifies the most reliable measurement, and uses that as the basis for controlling air cleaners. This combines the functionality of multiple sensors while eliminating the problem of conflicting measurements and extended operation time for each individual sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring dust sensor measurements from multiple air cleaners and using this information to coordinate their operation. The controller adjusts the operation of each air cleaner based on the consolidated sensor data, creating a closed-loop system that improves overall efficiency while reducing redundant sensor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Area of stationary object

If multiple dust sensors operate simultaneously in the same space, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement noise and incorrect values increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverage areaVSAvoiddust measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement function by designating one sensor as the primary measurement source while using other sensors as backup or reference. The controller divides the role of dust measurement among multiple sensors, with only the most reliable one actively controlling air cleaner operation at any given time, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving coverage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the sensors by adjusting their measurement and control roles dynamically. Based on the reliability of each sensor's measurements, the controller assigns different weights or priorities to each sensor's data, effectively changing how each sensor contributes to the overall measurement without altering their physical positions or basic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If dust sensors operate continuously to monitor air quality, then air quality monitoring is improved, but sensor lifetime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair quality monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidsensor lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having the controller selectively activate and deactivate dust sensors based on operational needs. Instead of continuous operation of all sensors, the system periodically switches between available sensors, allowing each sensor to rest and reducing cumulative operation time. This maintains monitoring reliability through periodic measurements while extending individual sensor lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Power

If multiple air cleaners operate independently, then air cleaning capacity is improved, but system coordination and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair cleaning capacityVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions: it consolidates measurements from multiple dust sensors, determines the most reliable measurement, and coordinates the operation of multiple air cleaners based on that consolidated data. This universal controller manages the entire system centrally, maintaining high air cleaning capacity while simplifying coordination compared to independent operation of each unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11141688B2Air cleaning system and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An air cleaning system having at least one dust sensor and a method for controlling the air cleaning system may improve accuracy of dust sensors through linkage control of the dust sensors, and may normally operate a faulty air cleaner using dust sensors of the remaining communicating air cleaners other than the faulty air cleaner even when any one of the dust sensors fails to operate. The air cleaning system may select a master dust sensor through linkage control of the dust sensors, and may operate the plurality of air cleaners only using sensor information of the master dust sensor. Therefore, the air cleaning system may stop operation of the remaining dust sensors other than the master dust sensor, may reduce measurement noise produced by the dust sensors and power consumption, and may increase a lifetime of the dust sensors.