System and method for detecting low indoor air quality and enabling ventilation in multi-zone environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IAQ control solutions in multi-zone environments are costly and inefficient, requiring multiple sensors and often ventilate entire zones even if only specific zones have low air quality, causing inconvenience to occupants.
Innovation Solution
A system with zone dampers in supply air channels and a single IAQ sensor in a common return duct, monitored by a controller that selectively opens zone dampers to direct supply air into zones with low IAQ, allowing return air to be monitored and ventilated, and optionally alerts occupants or actuates blower fans or air handling units for ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple IAQ sensors are placed in each zone to monitor IAQ values, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple IAQ monitoring functions into a single sensor located in the common return duct. The controller achieves zone-specific IAQ monitoring by selectively directing supply air to different zones and analyzing the combined return air composition, eliminating the need for multiple distributed sensors while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single IAQ sensor in the common return duct serves multiple zones simultaneously. By combining return air from different zones and using the controller to direct supply air selectively, one sensor performs the function that would traditionally require multiple sensors distributed across different zones
2Reliability
If entire zones are ventilated when low IAQ is detected, then IAQ improvement is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies ventilation locally to only the specific zone experiencing low IAQ conditions. The controller identifies the affected zone and directs supply air and ventilation exclusively to that zone, rather than ventilating entire zones or the entire building, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system is segmented into zone-specific control. The controller can isolate and ventilate individual zones based on their specific IAQ conditions, allowing precise control over where ventilation energy is applied rather than blanket ventilation of entire zones
3Reliability
If entire zones are ventilated when low IAQ is detected in specific zones, then IAQ improvement is achieved, but occupancy inconvenience increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides targeted ventilation only to the specific zone where low IAQ is detected, rather than ventilating entire zones. This localized approach maintains convenience for occupants in other zones who are not experiencing IAQ issues, avoiding unnecessary disruption to their environment
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) for detecting low IAQ and enabling ventilation in a multi-zone environment (102) is disclosed. The system comprises dampers (108) configured in supply air channels (106) associated with zones (104) of the environment, and an IAQ sensor (114) configured in a common return duct (112) associated with the environment. When the IAQ values of combined return air are detected to vary, a controller (120) successively operates one of the dampers in an open state while operating remaining zone dampers in a closed state, so that supply air flows into the zone having zone damper in the open state. The controller further successively monitors IAQ values of the return air received from each of the zones and accordingly detects a low IAQ condition in the zones when a difference is detected between the IAQ values of the return air from the respective zone, and the IAQ values of the combined return air received collectively from the zones.