Property Moisture Load Monitoring With Surface Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring moisture load in properties are unreliable in determining moisture damage caused by construction defects, as they solely rely on room air humidity and temperature, failing to detect condensation risks within walls and often lead to disputes between tenants and landlords regarding mold growth.
Innovation Solution
A system with movable measuring modules that record temperature gradients on mounting surfaces, combined with room air humidity sensors, stores data securely, and uses dew point calculations to assess moisture risks, incorporating weather data and ventilation monitoring to objectively determine the cause of moisture issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only room air humidity and temperature sensors are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of moisture damage detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple independent measuring modules, each equipped with its own set of sensors (room air humidity sensor, temperature sensor, and surface temperature sensor). This segmentation allows each module to independently monitor specific locations, improving measurement precision without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple sensing capabilities within a single measuring module housing. The module contains nested sensor elements (humidity sensor, temperature sensor, surface temperature sensor) that work together to provide comprehensive moisture monitoring, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining compact device structure.
2Ease of operation
If measurements are based solely on room air humidity and temperature, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of moisture damage assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surface temperature sensors as an intermediary measurement element that directly contacts or nears the mounting surface (walls, ceilings, floors). This intermediary sensor provides critical surface temperature data that mediates between room air conditions and actual condensation risks, enabling reliable moisture damage assessment while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual moisture detection methods with an automated electronic sensing system that continuously monitors room air humidity, temperature, and surface temperature. This substitution of mechanical/manual inspection with electronic sensing maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving reliability through continuous, objective data collection.
3Device complexity
If no surface temperature measurement is performed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect condensation risks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the measuring module to perform multiple functions: monitoring room air humidity, room air temperature, and surface temperature simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the single device to detect condensation risks by comparing surface temperature against dew point calculations, making condensation detection accessible without requiring complex specialized equipment.
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 system provides reliable and objective monitoring of moisture load and mold risks, enabling accurate assessment of disputes by distinguishing between tenant misconduct and construction defects, ensuring accurate data storage and transmission with tamper-proof measures.
Implementation Method 1
each measuring module comprising at least one room air humidity sensor and a temperature sensor, by means of which the temperature can be measured on or near that mounting surface
Implementation Method 2
each measuring module comprising at least one room air humidity sensor and a temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
the electronics are set up to record measured values at least for the measured temperature and room air humidity
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for monitoring the moisture load on properties, comprising at least one measuring module, preferably a large number of measuring modules, each measuring module comprising at least one room air humidity sensor and a temperature sensor, by means of which the temperature on or near that mounting surface can be measured on which the measuring module is mounted and has electronics that are set up to record measured values at least for measured temperature and room air humidity and the time of the measurements at time intervals and to send them by telecommunication and at least one database separate from the at least one measuring module for storing the measured values of a respective measurement module sent from the measurement module by telecommunication.