Systems and methods for adjusting mitigation thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor air quality (IAQ) systems for buildings lack efficient and adaptive control mechanisms to manage multiple air quality parameters such as relative humidity, particulate levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide, often leading to overuse or underuse of mitigation devices and inadequate air quality maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An IAQ system with sensors to measure these parameters, a mitigation module to selectively activate and deactivate devices based on threshold comparisons, and a thresholds module to adjust these thresholds dynamically based on baseline values and responses to mitigate device operations, ensuring optimal air quality management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed thresholds are used to control mitigation devices, then the control logic is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying baseline conditions leading to overuse or underuse of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic thresholds that automatically adjust based on measured baseline values of air quality parameters. Instead of using fixed predetermined thresholds, the system establishes baselines during initial operation and continuously adapts thresholds to reflect actual environmental conditions, enabling the control logic to respond appropriately to varying baseline conditions without requiring complex manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically establishing baseline values from initial measurements and using these baselines to dynamically set control thresholds. The mitigation control logic autonomously adapts to the specific building environment without requiring external intervention or complex user configuration, achieving adaptability through self-service mechanisms
2Reliability
If mitigation devices are operated continuously to ensure air quality, then air quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors air quality parameters and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust mitigation device operation. By comparing real-time measurements against dynamically adjusted thresholds based on baseline conditions, the system activates mitigation devices only when necessary to correct deviations from acceptable air quality levels, avoiding continuous operation and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts operation based on actual conditions rather than following a fixed schedule or continuous operation mode. Thresholds and control parameters are continuously adapted to baseline measurements, enabling the system to maintain air quality reliability while optimizing energy usage by activating devices only when and where needed
3Productivity
If dynamic threshold adjustment is implemented, then device operation is optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing baseline values during an initial measurement period before normal operation begins. These pre-established baselines are then used to dynamically adjust control thresholds during subsequent operation, enabling optimized device operation efficiency without requiring complex real-time calculations or adjustments during active mitigation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements dynamic threshold adjustment that automatically adapts to measured baseline conditions. The system transitions from static predetermined thresholds to dynamic thresholds that are continuously adjusted based on actual environmental measurements, achieving optimized device operation efficiency through adaptive control while managing complexity through systematic implementation
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes an IAQ sensor that is located within the building and that is configured to measure an IAQ parameter, the IAQ parameter being one of: an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air; an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in air; and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air. A control module is configured to selectively turn a mitigation device on and off based on the IAQ parameter. A change module is configured to, in response to a determination that the mitigation device has been on, determine a change in the IAQ parameter over time. An alert module is configured to selectively generate an alert indicative of a fault in the mitigation device based on the change.