WO2021049924A2

WO2021049924A2 - Device for monitoring of air quality

Info

Publication number: WO2021049924A2
Application number: PCT/MK2020/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josif KJOSEV
Original assignee: Inform Doo
Priority date: 2019-09-13
Filing date: 2020-09-11
Publication date: 2021-03-18
Also published as: WO2021049924A3

Abstract

Air quality monitoring device, which can be configured according to the needs of users in terms of parameters and accuracy, serves for non-stationary measurement, inspection and monitoring of the level of gases or particles at a specific location. In addition to displaying the measurement results on the built-in screen, the device enables connection and sending of the measurement data, using a wireless and mobile network, to an appropriate environment, information infrastructure, in which their storage, processing and use is enabled.

Description

DEVICE FOR MONITORING OF AIR QUALITY

Technical field to which the invention relates

The technical field to which the invention relates is Physics, more precisely belongs to the field of instruments in the class of measurement and testing, in the subclass of testing or analysis of materials to determine their chemical or physical properties. Specifically in the group of specific testing and analysis that is not covered in other classes.

Due to the specific way of presentation and data transfer used in the presented solution, the invention can be classified in the field of electricity in the class of electro-telecommunication technology, in the subclass of transmission in the group of radio transmission systems and devices.

According to the parts of the technique covered by the present invention, it can be designated by the codes G01N33/00 and H04B7/00 of the International Patent Classification.

Technical problem solved by the invention

Monitoring certain number of parameters, which are related to determining the air quality, is a problem that becomes more acute by the increasing of the pollution in the environment.

The invention solves the problem of complex, simultaneous monitoring of a large number of parameters of the same kind, at variable geographical location, which can be easily distributed to the users and the relevant competent parties.

State of the Art

At current market there are alot of instruments used for measuring air pollution. On the one hand there are high-end analytic instruments that are quite expensive, and at the other hand there are devices for everyday personal usage based on the sensors that have short exploitation period and/or using energy inefficient technologies, that require frequent change of the sensors adding uncertainty in the measured results. Additionally, results that are obtained during the measurement by these instruments are stored locally and has limited processing capacity, and the transfer to the data processing devices(computers) demands physical connection. Devices of newer generations are provided with capability for wireless transfer to the local device from which can be distributed and processed. Completed solution, which include simultaneously measurement of flexible number of parameters, using small power consumption and long lifetime, displayed locally as well as simultaneously distributed in a cloud (computer) for usage by unlimited number of users, using public telecommunication protocol cannot be find at the market at the moment of creating of this specification. Provisional research, performed using public databases of patent specifications, in the referred field of the invention, contains several solutions that reveal this kind of devices, but those, even similar in specific elements, measure parameters different from the presented invention, and/or measure different set of parameters or use different technology for transfer or another methodology of data analysis.

Additionally, usage of the device presented in the specification seems to be original, in relation to other patents, due to the possibility to be configured according to the requirements of the user of the measurements.

Thus, according the solution, presented in the patent specification EP3242278, the present invention differs in usage of the mobile phone of the users to transfer data to the data center and returns information to warn the users about the levels of pollution.

Contrary to this solution, the communication unit to the data center, of the subject device is built-in and does not use the user's mobile phone, while the sensor and communication unit are directly connected into single block, whereby additionally local data can be stored and displayed locally ( without connection to the center).

The specification US 2015212057 refers to a portable device that measures only two parameters, uses technology with high power consumption and short life of the sensors (due to which easy sensor replacement is emphasised), uses display of alphanumeric LCD and mentions only optional possibility for connecting a communication device (computer or mobile phone).

In the specification of US20080045156, the emphasis of the solution is placed on the communication device and the communication center for receiving and processing data, which is only part of the characteristics of the device in question. Pollution sensor (s) are provided only by principle, without any specification or solution about of power consumption or lifetime of the sensors. Also, the referred device does not have ability to store data locally, whenever no communication connection is present.

The device reviled in the specification US20130174646A1 is purposed for indoor usage and spaces humans reside, that referes to only one of the possibilities for usage of the device in question. Aadditionally, the specified conditioners of the sensors include heaters that are large energy consumers.

Solution provided in 2002112550A1 belongs to different category of devices related to the one presented in this specification, i.e. belongs to category of personal measuring equipment for monitoring of breathing zone airborne contaminants in relation with physical activities of the user. Also the method of measurement of the particles is based on pressure drop during the passing through a filter which is totally different from the method of the this subject invention that is based on laser beam dispersion. Additionally, decrease of the energy consumption from the battery is based on fixed electronic collisional pulse-wide modulation of the power supply of the pump, and in the device from this specification there is microprocessor control of air samples.

According the insight in available solutions, from the field in which this invention is classified and according to discovered patent specifications which solves this particular problem, no identical enclosing solutions are determined that the inventor is familiar with or that are part of the state of the art that is known.

Description of the invention

Short description of the drawings

To illustrate the solution of question a picture showing principal diagrams and one possible realization of the device are enclosed.

Figure 1 Showing general block scheme of the deice.

The corresponding markings on the positions of the image have the following meanings:

1.1. Power supply module;

1.2. Sensor module;

1.3. Microcontroller module ;

1.4. Computing-communication module.

Figure 2 represents the principal structure scheme of the sensor module.

The corresponding markings on the positions of the figure have the following meanings:

2.1. Electrochemical sensors;

2.2. PM 2,5 and PM 10 particle measuring analyzers (optionally PM1);

2.3. Carbon dioxide (C02) measuring analyzer;

2.4. Sensor protection filters;

2.5. Air pump;

2.6. Air tunnel.

Figure 3 presents the configuration a microcontroller module with controling components for connecting the sensors.

3.1. Microcontroller board;

3.2. Multiplexer;

3.3. Power management component;

3.4. Power supply of the electrochemical sensors.

Figure 4 shows the structure of the computer communication module and the enclosed elements. The corresponding markings on the positions of the image have the following meanings: 4.1. External air conditioner;

4.2. Internal battery;

4.3. Processor;

4.4. Working memory;

4.5. Program memory;

4.6. User data memory;

4.7. Graphical user interface;

4.8. Interface for connection to the microcontroller module;

4.9. GPS receiver;

4.10. 3G modem;

4.11. WiFi modem;

Figure 5 is a representation of possible external appearance of the device in portable embodiment in two positions. The corresponding markings on the positions of the figure have the following meanings:

5.1. Housing;

5.2. Inlet- for air supply;

5.3. Outlet - for air exaust;

5.4. Touch screen;

5.5. Belt;

5.6. Cover-senile.

5.7. Entrance cover;

5.8. Charger connector;

5.9. Power button;

5.10. Intake pipe for directional air collection;

5.11. Container of the intake pipe.

Figure 6 Principal block diagram for the air quality monitoring system with cloud environment and appropriate communication;

The corresponding labels, which indicate the positions of the image, have the following meaning:

6.1. Cloud Server;

6.2. User database server;

6.3. 3G channel for communication with the database via the Internet;

6.4. WiFi channel for communication with the database via the Internet;

6.5. Various devices with allowed access to the database via the Internet;

6.6. Interaction with other data devices;

6.7. Data processing and analytics;

6.8. Presentation of data and results. Detailed description of the invention

Air quality monitoring device, which can be adapted by the requirements of the users, regarding the parameters that are monitored and the way it records the results of the measurements , appropriately processes and transmits them for further use, and can serve as a portable or stationary air quality monitoring instrument.

The air quality monitoring device consists of four modules that builts its basic architecture, illustrated on Figure 1, in a form of a block diagram scheme of the device, in which primary, for the pourpouse of power suppling of the three essential modules being the battery power supply module 1.1. , necessary to obtan portability of the device and allows the operation of other modules. The power supply module (1.1) is made of a properly sized renewable battery that has a charging connector (5.8) and its operation is directly controlled by the computing- communication module (1.4) which is provided with energy, from the power supply module (1.1) necessary to drive the device in function and properly distributes it to the microcontroller module(1.3) and the sensor module (1.2) in a way that provides an appropriate calibration voltage of the microcontroller, which maintains the accuracy of the sensors in the corresponding sensor module (1.2).

Principal structure scheme of the sensor module presented on the Figure 2, assumes that this module is built in the separate, chemically passive, air tunnel (2.6) that allows modular placement of multiple measurement sensors, namely, electrochemical (2.1) (eg CO, S02, N02, H2S, 03), PM and C02 analyzers. The modular manner of placement of sensors requires even flow through the tunnel that is provided by of a fan (2.5) or fans at the outlet of the tunnel and proper sizing of the inlet of the tunnel (2.6). The three zones for placing of the sensors in the tunnel are set in following order, firs along the inlet part are the electrochemical sensors (2.1), protected from additional particles and parts of the measured gases by a protective filter (2.4), after which, in the direction of movement of the analized air, C02 analyzers (2.3) is placed, ends by PM particle analyzers (2.2) and exits through the vent/s to which the fan/s(2.5) is/are located. Tunnel configured in this manner enables even distribution of the air measuring sample and prevents interference of the sensors that can occur during simultaneous measurement. As a basic condition for performing the measurement, besides eliminating the possibility of interference of the measurement sensors, it is important the possibility of evaporation of the material from which the channel (2.6) is build to be excluded, thus it is derived from a chemically stable material that does not emit direct or indirect products in the form of gases or vapors, which may enter the composition of the measured air and cause a change in the results.

In the chemically passive channel (2.6) the connections for the sensors are made in a way that allows their simple replacement and configuration with additional electrochemical sensors, depending on the need. The number of sensors, in each of the columns may vary depending on the needs of the user and the level of accuracy needed to be achieved. Namely, by connecting multiple identical sensors, multiple reading of the values can be achieved as well as proper accuracy. The redundancy achieved in this way eliminates the systematic errors that sensors can occure under different ambient conditions. To accurate the measurements, depending on the ambient conditions, two separate sensors are included: temperature (2.8) and pressure / humidity (2.9), their values are taken into account to specify the characteristics.

The microcontroller module (1.3) includes a microcontroller board (3.1.) And a multiplexer (3.2) to which the PM and C02 analyzers are connected. Additionaly, it includes a control circuit to supply C02 sensors and PM sensors with the air from pump (3.3), and a constant power supply for the electrochemical sensors (3.4) is provided. This power supply can be part of the power supply module (1.1) or as an internal battery unit that is part of the microcontroller module (1.3).

This module is connected to the computing-communication module (1.4) via a connection interface (4.8.). The module includes an external conditioner to maintain the charge in the internal battery (4.1.), Internal battery (4.2.), Processor (4.3.), Working memory (4.4.), Program memory (4.5.), User data memory (4.6.) , graphical user interface (4.7), GPS receiver (4.9.), 3G modem (4.10.) and WiFi modem (4.11.). From the specification contained in this module, for a person skilled at the art it is clear that it can be a computer device, tablet, mobile phone or data device that is able to be adapted for receiving data through an interface compatible with the interface to connect the microcontroller module (1.3).

The device, which is configured in the manner described above, can be stationary and portable, and in particular is used for field monitoring of air quality and can collect and transfer the measuring data from the measurement depending on the specific requirements of the insight that would be performed and available network infrastructure.

One of the embodiment that the device that has its portable shape is shown in Figure 5. The exterior of the device features a rigid housing (5.1.) which is placed in a protective cover made of soft material to prevent physical damage to the parts. At one end of the housing there is an air intake, inlet (5.2.) which is appropriately sized to allow the measuring sample of air to move over the sensors to a volume that can be reliably measured and discharged through the air outlet (5.3.). The touch screen (5.4.) Located in the middle of the housing above which dual-purpose lens cap (5.6.) is placed a to serve as a shader (Figure 5, A) for protection from direct sunlight on the screen during active use - in the open position, or as a cover (Figure 5, B) to protect the touch screen display and to protect the air outlet (5.3) - in the closed position. The air intake inlet (5.2.) In case of inactivity of the device is closed with a cover (5.7.) that protects the sensors from unnecessary exposure. The embodiment, for non-stationary measurement, includes suitable battery charging connector (5.8.), Power button (5.9.) as well as provided belt (5.5.) on the housing for transport and safe manipulation during measurement.

Considering the specific conditions and to enable directional measurement, an air intake pipe (5.10) is provided, which is placed in a grooved part of the housing that serves as container of the pipe (5.11) during inactive position.

The purpose of the device is to be used for inspection and monitoring of the air quality by measuring the level of gases or particles, at locations according to the user requirements as well as transfer of data to a database for storage and further processing.

The infrastructure required to perform the function of remote data monitoring includes a server in the Internet cloud (6.1.) which is properly connected to the user database (6.2.) of authorized device users and data from the measurements, and to which operating devices access via, 3G (6.3) or WiFi communication channel (6.4). Additionally, the solution for this measurement collection system enables users on various computing devices (6.5.), with allowed access to the database via the Internet, that is enabled by components and their ability to interact with other data systems. (6.6) and appropriate processing power and program for data processing and analytics (6.7). The system is customized with a user interface for displaying data and results (6.8) from device handling and measurements performed.

During normal use, the device performs measurements of the concentration of gases and particles in the air, according to the configuration of parameters that need to be measured and records them dynamically at time intervals. It stores them together with the geo-locations it receives from the GPS receiver (4.9) and the system measurement time of the device itself. Sends the data simultaneously, or at regular intervals, using one of the device's remote communication modes, 3G modem or WiFi connection, using standard secure data exchange protocols to the database (6.2) located on the cloud server (6.1.). Data stored both on the device and in the cloud, storage provides protection against data loss or unauthorized misusage.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. An air quality monitoring device that consists of a power supply module (1.1.), a sensor module (1.2), comprising a plurality of gas detection sensors, operated by a microcontroller module (1.3) and appropriately connected via Computing-communication module (1.4), capable of collecting, processing, displaying and transfering data is characterized in that the sensor module (1.2) is built as chemically passive, tunnel (2.6) in a way that allows modular placement in three separate zones of at least one electrochemical (2.1) sensor, at least one PM particle analyzer and a C02 analyzer, whereby a regulated fan (2.5) and dimensioning of the duct inlet (2.6) enables permanent airflow.

2. The air quality monitoring device according to claim 1 , is characterized by that in the chemically passive tunnel (2.6) the connections for the sensors are made in a way that enables, according to the needs of the user, replacement and addition of additional electrochemical sensors (2.1 ) or doubling them in order to the level of accuracy of the measurements that need to be achieved.

3. The air quality monitoring device according to the preceding claims consisting of a rigid housing, which houses the power supply module (1.1.), The sensor module (1.2), which includes a plurality of gas detection sensors and which is operated from a microcontroller module (1.3) and appropriately connected via a computing-communication module (1.4) is placed in a protective case (5.1.) which on one side has an inlet for air supply (5.2.) an outlet for air drainage (5.3), Touch screen (5.4.), is characterized by that it is used for non stationary measurement, inspection and monitoring of gases or particles at locations according to the current needs of the user.

4. An air quality monitoring system comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims, connected via a 3G (6.3) or WiFi communication channel (6.4) further comprising a dedicated cloud server (6.1.) to operate a user database (6.2.) of authorized users of devices and measurement data, which can be accessed by a multitude of devices (6.5.) with the possibility of interaction with other data systems (6.6), appropriate processing power, program processing The data and analytics (6.7) and user interface for displaying the data and results (6.8) of the handling of the devices and the performed measurements, is determined by transmitting the results from the locations where the measuring devices are active immediately or at a certain interval to the database on the server and are stored together with the geo-location data received from the GPS receiver (4.9) and the system measurement time of the device itself.