Air Sensor Calibration by Recirculating Purified Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air sensors in air treatment devices often drift over time, leading to inconsistent measurements and inaccurate air quality indications, making it difficult for users to determine if indoor air quality has improved, and requiring inconvenient external calibration.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment device generates clean air locally to calibrate its air sensor, using a processor to control the air flow and determine if the purified air meets predefined criteria, allowing for accurate calibration without external zero air generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external zero air is used to calibrate the air sensor, then the air sensor can be calibrated, but the user has to make efforts to find zero air which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment device generates its own zero air through the air purifying unit for calibration purposes, eliminating the need for external zero air sources. The processor controls the air flow path to direct the generated zero air to the air sensor, enabling the device to calibrate itself autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration function is merged with the air purification function. The air purifying unit that normally purifies ambient air is also used to generate zero air for calibration by blocking the ambient air intake and recirculating purified air through the system.
2Productivity
If the air sensor is not calibrated regularly, then the device operates continuously, but the measurement output drifts over time causing wrong air quality indications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration periodically by temporarily switching to a closed-loop air circulation mode where the air purifying unit recirculates purified air back through the sensor. The processor manages this periodic calibration process, opening or closing switches to control air flow paths, ensuring the sensor is recalibrated at scheduled intervals without requiring manual intervention.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the air sensor measurement output drifts, then the sensor continues to operate, but the air quality indicator gives wrong indications reducing user confidence
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the air sensor's measurement output as feedback to determine when calibration is needed. The processor monitors the measurement values and triggers calibration when drift is detected, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains measurement reliability over extended operational periods.
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 method ensures accurate air quality indications by calibrating the air sensor using locally generated clean air, enhancing user convenience and confidence in the air treatment device.
Implementation Method 1
an air purifying unit configured to purify air
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the invention provides an air treatment device. The air treatment device comprises: an air purifying unit, configured to purify air; an air sensor, configured to measure a first air quantity and provide a measurement output, wherein the first air quantity comprises the purified air purified by the air purifying unit; and a processor, configured to generate a first value based on the measurement output of the air sensor so as to calibrate the air sensor. With the air treatment device of one embodiment of the invention, clean air, i.e. zero air, is generated locally by the air treatment device so as to calibrate the air sensor, without the need for externally generating the zero air, which brings convenience for the user or other operators performing calibration of the air sensor of the air treatment device. Another embodiment of the invention also provides a method of calibrating an air sensor of an air treatment device. The method comprises the steps of: purifying air by using the air treatment device; and measuring a first air quantity by using the air sensor to get a first value so as to calibrate the air sensor, wherein the first air quantity comprises the purified air.