Ventilation apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation apparatuses fail to adequately dehumidify outside air supplied to indoor spaces, leading to insufficient control over room temperature and humidity, and there is a risk of contamination accumulation in the total heat exchanger due to consumer unawareness of replacement needs, which can result in bacterial and mold propagation.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation apparatus with a housing, inlets and outlets, temperature sensors, blowers, and a processor that performs drying operations on the total heat exchanger by adjusting blower operations based on temperature differences, using dampers to control airflow paths, and incorporating heat exchangers for humidity adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If total heat exchange is performed between outside air and room air through a total heat exchanger, then room temperature and humidity can be adjusted, but outside air is insufficiently dehumidified and comfort room temperature and humidity cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchange process into two separate stages: first, a total heat exchanger performs total heat exchange between outside air and room air; second, a partial heat exchanger performs partial heat exchange on the already cooled outside air. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both temperature adjustment and sufficient dehumidification, resolving the contradiction between temperature control and humidity control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a partial heat exchanger as an intermediary component that processes the outside air after it has been initially cooled by the total heat exchanger. This intermediary device provides the additional dehumidification function needed to maintain comfortable humidity levels, thereby improving humidity control reliability without compromising temperature adjustment capabilities.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If consumers cannot recognize replacement needs of the total heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger can be used for a long time, but contamination accumulates and bacteria and mold propagate inside the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary drying operation that activates when the ventilation system starts up, particularly when the temperature difference between inside and outside air exceeds a threshold. This preliminary action removes moisture from the heat exchanger before normal operation begins, preventing the conditions that lead to contamination accumulation and bacterial growth, thereby extending the heat exchanger's safe service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic drying operations that occur at specific intervals or under specific conditions (such as when temperature difference thresholds are exceeded). This periodic maintenance action prevents contamination buildup by regularly removing moisture from the heat exchanger, addressing the harmful effects of prolonged use without requiring consumer awareness of replacement needs.
3Productivity
If dampers are used to control airflow paths for drying operations, then drying efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the dampers to serve multiple functions: they control airflow during normal ventilation operations and also direct airflow during drying operations. By making the damper system multi-functional, the patent improves drying efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same components perform both routine and maintenance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the drying function with the existing ventilation control system by integrating damper control for both modes into a single control architecture. This merging of functions allows the system to achieve effective drying operations while avoiding the complexity of a separate, dedicated drying control system.
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
The apparatus effectively maintains comfortable indoor humidity and temperature levels by efficiently drying the total heat exchanger, preventing contamination, and ensuring high air quality by alternating airflow paths and using heat exchangers to dehumidify air.
Implementation Method 1
a total heat exchanger to perform heat exchange between the outside air and the room air
Implementation Method 2
a first blower connected to the first outlet; wherein the processor is configured to operate the first blower
Implementation Method 3
a second blower connected to the second outlet; wherein the processor is configured to operate the second blower
Implementation Method 4
an outside temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the outside air; a room temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the room air
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation apparatus includes: a housing including a first inlet through which outside air is sucked, a second inlet through which room air is sucked, a first outlet through which air is supplied to an indoor space, and a second outlet through which air is discharged to an outdoor space; an outside temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the outside air; a room temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the room air; a total heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the outside air and the room air; a first blower communicating with the first outlet; a second blower communicating with the second outlet; and a processor to perform a drying operation for the total heat exchanger by operating at least one of the first blower or the second blower, based on a difference value between the first temperature and the second temperature.