Device for measuring odor

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring an odor, capable of: accurately presetting a baseline serving as a reference value of an output value of an odor sensor; calculating an increment value representing a difference between a preset baseline and an output value of the odor sensor sensing the odor measurement target gas; and specifies the calculated increment value as the amount of change in the odor measurement target gas. By means of the device, the precision of smell measurement can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for measuring an odor, and more particularly, to an apparatus for measuring an odor capable of accurately setting a baseline serving as a reference value of an output value of an odor sensor, thereby improving the accuracy of odor measurement. Background Art

[0002] It is well known that distinctive odors and volatile organic compound (VOC) odors emanating from various interior components of a vehicle, such as seat covers, headliners, door trims and mats, are a major cause of complaints about new vehicles.

[0003] Additionally, mold growth and foul odors caused by condensed moisture in the evaporator core when the vehicle's air conditioning is operating are also a cause of discomfort to vehicle occupants.

[0004] In addition, depending on the surrounding environment during vehicle travel, the outside air flowing into the vehicle may contain various bad odors, and these bad odors from the outside may also make the vehicle user uncomfortable.

[0005] Therefore, the quality of the vehicle may be reduced due to various odors occurring inside and outside the vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, in order to analyze and remove the causes of these odors that occur inside and outside the vehicle, first, an odor sensor is needed to accurately measure the odor and the generated odor data needs to be collected. In addition, a process is also needed to accurately determine the actual cause of the odor occurrence by analyzing the components and concentrations of the odors occurring inside and outside the vehicle, etc.

[0007] In order to solve complaints about odors occurring not only in vehicles but also in various industrial sites, first, it is necessary to perform a process of installing odor sensors at these industrial sites and accurately measuring the components and concentrations of the odors.

[0008] To this end, in the prior art, electrochemical odor sensors and electrochemical odor sensor arrays can be used as odor sensors for measuring odors occurring from vehicles and industrial sites. Alternatively, biological odor sensors such as biological peptide type sensors and sensors using amino acids can also be used.

[0009] For example, when gas particles of the odor measurement object are adsorbed on the surface of the electrochemical odor sensor, odor measurement can be performed in a manner of outputting an electrical signal. Similarly, when gas particles of the odor measurement object are adsorbed on the surface of the biological odor sensor, odor measurement can be performed in a manner of changing in color signals, RGB signals, and brightness signals according to the number of adsorbed gas particles.

[0010] The device for measuring odors having the odor sensor can fundamentally measure the amount of change in the odor measurement target gas.

[0011] For example, Figure 1 As shown, when the odor sensor outputs an output value generated by sensing the concentration of the odor measurement object gas to the controller, the controller calculates an incremental value representing the difference between the baseline used as a reference value and the output value of the odor sensor, and determines the calculated incremental value as the change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

[0012] When the baseline used as a reference value is inaccurate, the incremental value representing the difference between the baseline and the output value of the odor sensor becomes inaccurate. As a result, there is a problem that the measurement accuracy of the change amount of the odor measurement target gas may be erroneous.

[0013] Therefore, among the factors for ensuring the measurement accuracy of the odor measurement device, the most critical factor is to accurately set the baseline. Therefore, a new technology for accurately setting the baseline is needed. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present disclosure proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art aims to provide a device for measuring odor, which can: accurately preset a baseline used as a reference value of the output value of the odor sensor, calculate an incremental value representing the difference between the preset baseline and the output value of the odor sensor sensing the odor measurement target gas, and determine the calculated incremental value as the change amount of the odor measurement target gas. With this device, the accuracy of odor measurement can be improved.

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for measuring odor, the apparatus comprising: a pre-chamber; a pure air supply line connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a gas inflow line for introducing odor measurement object gas, the gas inflow line connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a fresh air supply line connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a first valve installed on an inlet port in the pure air supply line; a second valve installed on an inlet port in the gas inflow line; a third valve installed on an inlet port in the fresh air supply line; an odor sensor chamber, the pure air supply line, the gas inflow line and the fresh air supply line being connected to the odor sensor chamber to enable access to the odor sensor chamber; an odor sensor installed in the odor sensor chamber; and a controller configured to set a baseline of a reference value representing an output value of the odor sensor sensing the odor measurement object gas based on a signal generated by the odor sensor sensing pure air or fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber.

[0016] The device may also include: a gas flow line, one end of which is connected to the pure air supply line, the gas inflow line and the fresh air supply line so as to be able to lead to the pure air supply line, the gas inflow line and the fresh air supply line, and the other end is connected to the other side of the pre-chamber; a connecting pipe connected between the gas flow line and the odor sensor chamber so as to be able to communicate with each other; and a pure air supply box connected to the pure air supply line.

[0017] In the device, the controller may be configured to close the second valve and the third valve while opening the first valve, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the odor sensor chamber, and store an output value of the odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber as an initial value.

[0018] In the device, the controller can be configured to: store the output value of the odor sensor sensing pure air as an initial value, then compare the initial value with the subsequent output value of the odor sensor sensing pure air at a predetermined time interval, and when the difference between the subsequent output value of the odor sensor and the initial value reaches a predetermined level or higher, perform alarm control for replacing the odor sensor.

[0019] In the apparatus, the controller may be configured to close the first valve and the second valve while opening the third valve, so that external air as fresh air is supplied from the fresh air supply line to the odor sensor chamber, and to set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the odor sensor sensing the fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber.

[0020] In the device, the controller can be configured to: close the first valve and the third valve while opening the second valve so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas supply pipeline to the odor sensor chamber, calculate an incremental value representing the difference between an output value of the odor measurement object gas sensed by the odor sensor supplied to the odor sensor chamber and a baseline representing a reference value, and determine the calculated incremental value as the change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

[0021] In the apparatus, the controller may be configured to, when odor measurement is required at a location where outside air as fresh air is contaminated, close the second valve and the third valve while opening the first valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the odor sensor chamber, and set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber.

[0022] In the apparatus, an intake pump for introducing pure air, the odor measurement object gas, and fresh air into the odor sensor chamber may be coupled to the outlet port formed in the other side of the odor sensor chamber.

[0023] The device also includes: a first heater, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the gas or air flowing through the gas flow pipeline; and a first cooler, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the gas or air flowing through the gas flow pipeline. The first heater and the first cooler can be installed on the pre-chamber.

[0024] In the device, it also includes: a second heater, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the interior of the odor sensor chamber; and a second cooler, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the interior of the odor sensor chamber. The second heater and the second cooler can be installed on the odor sensor chamber.

[0025] To achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for measuring odor, the apparatus comprising: a pre-chamber; a pure air supply line connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a gas inflow line for introducing an odor measurement target gas, the gas inflow line being connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a first valve installed on an inlet port in the pure air supply line; a second valve installed on an inlet port in the gas inflow line; a first odor sensor chamber, the pure air supply line and the gas inflow line being connected to the first odor sensor chamber so as to be accessible to the first odor sensor chamber; a first odor sensor installed inside the first odor sensor chamber; a second odor sensor chamber, the second odor sensor chamber being separately installed at an external position where fresh air is seamlessly introduced, using a structure in which a fresh air inlet port and a fresh air outlet port are formed on one side and the other side, respectively; a second odor sensor installed inside the second odor sensor chamber; and a controller configured to set a baseline representing a reference value of an output value of the first odor sensor for sensing the odor measurement target gas, based on a signal generated by the first odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber or a signal generated by the second odor sensor sensing the fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber.

[0026] The device may also include: a gas flow line, one end of the gas flow line is connected to the pure air supply line and the gas inflow line so that one end of the gas flow line can lead to the pure air supply line and the gas inflow line, and the other end of the gas flow line is connected to the other side of the pre-chamber; a connecting pipe connected between the gas flow line and the first odor sensor chamber so that the gas flow line and the first odor sensor chamber are connected to each other; and a pure air supply tank connected to the pure air supply line.

[0027] In the device, the controller may be configured to: close the second valve while opening the first valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the first odor sensor chamber, and store an output value of the first odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber as an initial value.

[0028] In the device, the controller may be configured to: store an output value of the first odor sensor sensing pure air as an initial value, then compare the initial value with a subsequent output value of the first odor sensor sensing pure air at a predetermined time interval, and perform alarm control for replacing the first odor sensor when a difference between the subsequent output value of the first odor sensor and the initial value reaches a predetermined level or higher.

[0029] In the apparatus, the controller may be configured to set the baseline used as the reference value to an output value of the second odor sensor sensing fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber.

[0030] In the device, the controller can be configured to: close the first valve while opening the second valve, so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas supply pipeline to the first odor sensor chamber, calculate an incremental value representing the difference between the output value of the odor measurement object gas sensed by the first odor sensor supplied to the first odor sensor chamber and the baseline representing the reference value, and determine the calculated incremental value as the change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

[0031] In the apparatus, the controller may be configured to, when odor measurement is required at a location where outside air as fresh air is contaminated, open the first valve while closing the second valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the first odor sensor chamber, and set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the first odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber.

[0032] In the apparatus, an air intake pump for introducing pure air and the odor measurement object gas into the first odor sensor chamber may be coupled to the outlet port formed in the other side of the first odor sensor chamber.

[0033] The device also includes: a first heater, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the gas or air flowing through the gas flow pipeline; and a first cooler, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the gas or air flowing through the gas flow pipeline. The first heater and the first cooler can be installed on the pre-chamber.

[0034] In the device, further included is: a second heater, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the interior of the first odor sensor chamber; and a second cooler, which is activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the interior of the first odor sensor chamber, and the second heater and the second cooler can be installed on the first odor sensor chamber.

[0035] The apparatus for measuring odor according to the present disclosure provides the following advantageous effects.

[0036] First, a baseline used as a reference value for the output value of the odor sensor can be accurately preset, and an incremental value representing the difference between the preset baseline and the output value of the odor sensor sensing the odor measurement object gas can be determined as the change amount of the odor measurement object gas, thereby improving the accuracy of the odor measurement.

[0037] Secondly, the first heater or the first cooler installed on the pre-chamber can be operated separately, or the second heater or the second cooler installed on the odor sensor chamber can be operated separately. Thus, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas supplied to the odor sensor chamber are adjusted to a level at which the odor sensor accurately performs sensing, thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the odor sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The above and other features of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given hereinafter by way of illustration only and therefore do not limit the present disclosure, and in which:

[0039] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a method of measuring a change amount of an odor measurement target gas with reference to the apparatus for measuring odor described above;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for measuring odor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 are schematic diagrams each showing a state in which the apparatus for measuring an odor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is in an odor measuring operation;

[0042] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method of measuring odor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for measuring odor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 are schematic diagrams each showing a state in which the apparatus for measuring odor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is in an odor measuring operation; and

[0045] Fig.13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring odor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] For the purpose of supporting written description and realizing requirements, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in an exemplary manner according to specific structures and functions. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms. However, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to this. In addition, the present disclosure should be interpreted as including all modifications, equivalents and replacements that fall within the essence and purpose of the present disclosure and its technical scope.

[0047] Throughout this specification, the terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but no limitation is imposed thereon. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the claims limiting the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as the second component. Similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

[0048] It should be understood that throughout this specification, when it is mentioned that a component is "coupled to" or "connected to" different component elements, the component element may be directly coupled to or directly connected to the different component elements, or may be coupled to or connected to the different component elements with an intermediate component element therebetween. Conversely, it should be understood that when it is referred to as "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" different component elements, the component element is coupled to or connected to the different component elements without any intervening component element therebetween. Expressions such as "between" and "directly between" and "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to" used to describe the relationship between component elements should be interpreted in the same manner.

[0049] Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals describe the same constituent elements. The terms used in this specification are used for the purpose of describing the embodiments, but are not intended to impose any limitations on the present disclosure. Unless otherwise specifically stated throughout this specification, a singular noun or a singular noun phrase may have a plural meaning. The terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" used in this specification should be interpreted as meaning "including the following constituent elements, steps, operations or elements, but not excluding one or more other constituent elements, steps, operations or elements".

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] First embodiment

[0052] Figures 2 to 6 1 and 2 are views each showing an apparatus for measuring an odor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numerals 10 and 110 in the drawings depict a pre-chamber and an odor sensor chamber, respectively.

[0053] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the pre-chamber 10 and the smell sensor chamber 110 are coupled to each other through a coupling pipe 120 so as to be accessible to each other.

[0054] A pure air supply line 101 , a gas inflow line 102 for inflowing an odor measurement object gas, and a fresh air supply line 103 are connected to one side of the pre-chamber 10 in parallel.

[0055] At this time, a pure air supply tank 105 for supplying pure air (e.g., pure carbon dioxide or pure nitrogen) is connected to the pure air supply line 101. The gas inflow line 102 is arranged in an open state in a space (e.g., a vehicle interior space) where the odor measurement target gas exists. The fresh air supply line 103 may be arranged in an open state in a manner extending to a position (e.g., an air intake portion through which external air flows into the vehicle, a dash panel communicating with external air, a sunroof, etc.), and external air in a clean state may flow into the position.

[0056] Furthermore, a first valve 101-1 for supplying or blocking the flow of pure air is installed in an openable and closable manner on the inlet port in the pure air supply line 101. Likewise, a second valve 102-1 for supplying or blocking the flow of the odor measurement object gas is installed in an openable and closable manner on the inlet port in the gas inflow line 102. Furthermore, a third valve 103-1 for supplying and blocking the flow of fresh air is installed in an openable and closable manner on the inlet port in the fresh air supply line 103.

[0057] Figures 1 to 6 1 and other figures show that the first valve 101-1, the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1 are installed outside the pre-chamber 10 in a preferred manner. However, they may be arranged to be installed inside the pre-chamber 10.

[0058] The outlet port in the pure air supply line 101 , the outlet port in the gas inflow line 102 , and the outlet port in the fresh air supply line 103 are all connected to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 , enabling access to the odor sensor chamber 110 .

[0059] To this end, a gas flow line 104 is arranged in the pre-chamber 10 along the length direction of the pre-chamber 10. The outlet port in the pure air supply line 101, the outlet port in the gas inflow line 102, and the outlet port in the fresh air supply line 103 are connected to one end of the gas flow line 104 in a manner that they can pass into the gas flow line 104. The other end of the gas flow line 104 is connected to the other side of the pre-chamber 10.

[0060] In addition, the gas flow line 104 and the smell sensor chamber 110 are coupled to each other through a coupling pipe 120 so that the gas flow line and the smell sensor chamber can lead to each other.

[0061] An odor sensor 112 for sensing pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc. is attached to the inner bottom surface of the odor sensor chamber 110. The odor sensor 112 may be one of an electrochemical odor sensor, an electrochemical odor sensor array, a biopeptide type sensor, a sensor using amino acids, and other types of odor sensors.

[0062] In this case, the odor sensor 112 is connected to the controller 130 to be able to send a sensing signal. Thus, the odor sensor 112 can send a signal to the controller 130, that is, an output value of pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc. sensed by the odor sensor 112.

[0063] Specifically, the controller 130 is configured to preset a baseline representing a reference value based on a signal generated by sensing pure air or fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the odor sensor 112. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to use the preset baseline as a reference value of the output value of the odor sensor 112 that senses the odor measurement target gas.

[0064] For this reason, Figure 4 As shown, the controller 130 is configured to open the third valve 103-1 while closing the first valve 101-1 and the second valve 102-1, so that the outside air as fresh air is supplied from the fresh air supply line 103 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to set a baseline as a reference value of an output value of the odor sensor 112 that senses the fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110.

[0065] On the contrary, odor measurement may be necessary at a location where the outside air as fresh air is polluted. For example, a vehicle may pass through a livestock shed or an industrial complex that generates odors. In addition, odor measurement may be necessary at a location where the outside air as fresh air is polluted or does not exist, such as the inside of a manhole where toxic gases are present, the inside of an airtight coal mine, the inside of an airtight submersible vehicle, the inside of an airtight submarine, the inside of an airtight spacecraft, the inside of an airtight spacecraft, etc. In these cases, when the baseline used as a reference value is set to the output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing fresh air, the baseline used as a reference value may be inaccurate. As a result, the incremental value (the amount of change in the odor measurement object gas) representing the difference between the output value of the odor sensor 112 and the baseline may inevitably be inaccurate as before.

[0066] To address this issue, in situations where odor measurement is required in a location where fresh air is contaminated or absent, the user can use an input device (e.g., a switch or menu button installed in the vehicle, or a corresponding application installed on a smart device) to instruct the controller 130 to set a baseline based on pure air.

[0067] Therefore, if Figure 6 As shown, in the case where odor measurement is required at a location where fresh air is polluted or does not exist, the controller 130 is configured to open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110.

[0068] As described above, after setting the baseline, a process of measuring the odor present in a specific interior space (eg, a vehicle interior space, etc.) may be performed.

[0069] For this reason, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 130 is configured to open the second valve 102-1 and simultaneously close the first valve 101-1 and the third valve 103-1, so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas inflow line 102 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connection pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to calculate an incremental value representing a difference between an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the odor measurement object gas supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110 and a baseline representing a reference value, and determine the calculated incremental value as a change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

[0070] In a case where the odor sensor 112 is initially attached inside the odor sensor chamber 110 , in order to manage the life and durability of the odor sensor 112 , it is preferable to store the initial output value of the odor sensor 112 in the controller 130 .

[0071] For this reason, Figure 3 As shown, the controller 130 is configured to open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1 when the odor sensor 112 is initially attached inside the odor sensor chamber 110, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to store an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110 as an initial value.

[0072] In this case, the more the use of the odor sensor 112 accumulates, the more cracks appear on the surface of the odor sensor 112, or the more foreign matter (dust, gas particles, etc.) that causes the sensing performance to deteriorate accumulates on the surface of the odor sensor 112. For these reasons, the performance of the odor sensor 112 is deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately determine the time period when the odor sensor 112 is replaced.

[0073] To this end, the controller 130 may store the output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air as an initial value, and then control the first valve 101-1 in an open manner, while controlling the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1 in a closed manner, thereby supplying pure air to the odor sensor chamber 110 at a predetermined time interval. Thus, the odor sensor 112 can sense pure air at a predetermined time interval.

[0074] Therefore, the controller 130 is configured to store the output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air as an initial value, and then compare it with the subsequent output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air at a predetermined time interval. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to determine the replacement of the odor sensor 112 due to the performance degradation of the odor sensor 112, and is configured to perform alarm control for replacing the odor sensor 112 when the difference between the subsequent output value of the odor sensor 112 and the initial value reaches a predetermined level or higher.

[0075] In this case, the controller 130 may instruct the visual or audio alarm device 132 to issue an alarm signal to perform alarm control for replacing the odor sensor 112 .

[0076] Preferably, an intake pump 114 for introducing pure air, the odor measurement subject gas, and fresh air into the odor sensor chamber 110 is coupled to an outlet port formed in the other side of the odor sensor chamber 110 .

[0077] Therefore, pure air, odor measurement target gas, and fresh air can be easily introduced into the odor sensor chamber 110 by driving the intake pump 114, and can be discharged to the outside through the outlet port in the odor sensor chamber 110 after being sensed by the odor sensor 112.

[0078] When the odor sensor 112 senses pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc., the odor data generated by the measurement of the odor sensor 112 may vary with the temperature or humidity of the air or gas. As a result, the accuracy of the measurement of the odor sensor 112 may decrease. For this reason, it is preferable to uniformly adjust the temperature or humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) sensed by the odor sensor 112.

[0079] To this end, in order to heat the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line 104, a first heater 141 and a first cooler 151 are installed on the pre-chamber 10. The first heater 141 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130. The first cooler 151 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130 so as to cool the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line 104.

[0080] Therefore, when the temperature of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 is lower than the reference value, or when the humidity thereof is equal to or higher than the reference value, the controller 130 activates the first heater 141 based on the detection signal of the temperature and humidity sensor (not shown), so that the first heater 141 performs a heating operation. Conversely, when the temperature of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 is at or higher than the reference value, or when the humidity thereof is lower than the reference value, the controller 130 controls the first cooler 151 in an activation manner based on the detection signal of the temperature and humidity sensor, so that the first cooler 151 performs a cooling operation. Thus, the temperature and humidity of the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line 104 can be uniformly adjusted.

[0081] Preferably, the pre-chamber 10 is manufactured such that its volume facilitates the transfer of warm air generated during heating or cold air generated during cooling to the air or gas flowing through the gas flow line 104 .

[0082] In this case, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 are mainly adjusted by the first heater 141 or the first cooler 151, but may not be completely adjusted to a predetermined level.

[0083] Therefore, the second heater 142 and the second cooler 152 may be further installed at predetermined positions on the odor sensor chamber 110, respectively. The second heater 142 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130 so as to heat the inside of the odor sensor chamber 110. The second cooler 152 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130 so as to cool the inside of the odor sensor chamber 110.

[0084] With this configuration, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 are mainly adjusted by the first heater 141 or the first cooler 151, and then supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110. Thereafter, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber 110 are secondarily adjusted by the heating operation of the second heater 142 and the cooling operation of the second cooler 152. Thus, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) detected by the odor sensor 112 can be completely adjusted to a predetermined level. Therefore, the accuracy of the odor data generated by the measurement of the odor sensor 112 can be ensured.

[0085] The sequential steps of odor measurement by the apparatus for measuring odor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure are performed as follows.

[0086] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring an odor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] First, in a case where the odor sensor 112 is initially attached inside the odor sensor chamber 110, the odor sensor 112 is set to sense pure air, and the controller 130 stores an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air as an initial value in step S101.

[0088] For this reason, Figure 3 As shown, in the case where the odor sensor 112 is initially attached inside the odor sensor chamber 110, the controller 130 opens the first valve 101-1 and simultaneously closes the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 stores the output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110 as an initial value.

[0089] Subsequently, in step S102 , the user checks whether the outside air as fresh air is polluted or whether fresh air exists.

[0090] In step S103, in a case where the check result is that the outside air as fresh air is not polluted, the baseline is set to the output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the fresh air.

[0091] For this reason, Figure 4As shown, the controller 130 may open the third valve 103-1 while closing the first valve 101-1 and the second valve 102-1, so that the outside air as fresh air is supplied from the fresh air supply line 103 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connection pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 may set a baseline used as a reference value as an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110, and may store the output value of the odor sensor 112.

[0092] In contrast, in step S104, in a case where the outside air as fresh air is polluted or does not exist, the baseline is set to an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air.

[0093] For this reason, Figure 6 As shown, the controller 130 may open the first valve 101-1 and simultaneously close the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 may set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110, and may store the output value of the odor sensor 112.

[0094] Next, in step S105 , odor measurement target gas (eg, various bad odors existing in the interior of a vehicle, bad odors existing in various industrial sites, etc.) is sensed.

[0095] For this reason, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 130 opens the second valve 102-1 while closing the first valve 101-1 and the third valve 103-1, so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas inflow line 102 to the odor sensor chamber 110 through the gas flow line 104 and the connection pipe 120. The odor sensor 112 senses the odor measurement object gas supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110, and sends an output value generated by the sensing to the controller 130.

[0096] Subsequently, in step S106 , the controller 130 calculates an incremental value representing a difference between an output value of the odor measurement target gas sensed by the odor sensor 112 and a baseline representing a reference value, and determines the calculated incremental value as a change amount of the odor measurement target gas.

[0097] The controller 130 may store the output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air as an initial value, and then may open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1 and the third valve 103-1, so that pure air is supplied to the odor sensor chamber 110 at a predetermined time interval. Thus, in step S107, the odor sensor 112 may sense pure air at a predetermined time interval.

[0098] Subsequently, at step S108, the controller 130 compares the initial value with a subsequent output value of the odor sensor 112 sensing pure air at a predetermined time interval. When the absolute value difference between the initial value and the subsequent output value of the odor sensor 112 is at a predetermined level or higher, the controller 130 determines that the odor sensor 112 should be replaced due to the performance degradation of the odor sensor 112, and performs an alarm control for replacing the odor sensor 112 at step S109.

[0099] Therefore, the controller 130 may instruct the visual or audio alarm device 132 to issue an alarm signal to perform an alarm control for replacing the smell sensor 112. Thus, the user may recognize that the smell sensor 112 needs to be replaced due to the degradation of its performance.

[0100] In the odor measurement method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a baseline serving as a reference value for the output value of the odor sensor 112 can be accurately preset, and an incremental value representing a difference between the preset baseline and the output value of the odor measurement target gas sensed by the odor sensor 112 can be determined as a change amount of the odor measurement target gas. Thus, the accuracy of odor measurement can be improved.

[0101] Second embodiment

[0102] Figures 8 to 12 1 and 2 are views each showing an apparatus for measuring an odor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numerals 10 and 110 - 1 in each of the drawings depict a pre-chamber and a first odor sensor chamber, respectively.

[0103] The second embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by having a second odor sensor chamber 110-2 and a second odor sensor 112-2 for sensing fresh air, which are separately arranged at a specific external location (for example, an air intake portion through which external air flows into the vehicle, a front panel connected to the external air, a sunroof, etc.) in a manner enabled by wired and wireless communications.

[0104] A pure air supply line 101 and a gas inflow line 102 for flowing in the odor measurement object gas are connected to one side of the pre-chamber 10 in a parallel manner.

[0105] In this case, a pure air supply tank 105 for supplying pure air (pure carbon dioxide or pure nitrogen) is connected to the pure air supply line 101, and a gas inflow line 102 is arranged in an open state in a space (e.g., a vehicle interior space) where the odor measurement target gas exists.

[0106] Furthermore, a first valve 101-1 for supplying or blocking the flow of pure air is installed in an openable and closable manner at the inlet port in the pure air supply line 101. Likewise, a second valve 102-1 for supplying or blocking the flow of the odor measurement object gas is installed in an openable and closable manner at the inlet port in the gas inflow line 102.

[0107] The outlet port in the pure air supply line 101 and the outlet port in the gas inflow line 102 are both connected to the first odor sensor chamber 110 - 1 through one gas flow line 104 , so as to be able to pass into the first odor sensor chamber 110 - 1 .

[0108] To this end, a gas flow pipeline 104 is arranged inside the pre-chamber 10 along the length direction of the pre-chamber 10. The outlet port of the pure air supply pipeline 101 and the outlet end of the gas inflow pipeline 102 are connected to one end of the gas inflow pipeline 104 so as to be accessible to the gas inflow pipeline 104. The other end of the gas flow pipeline 104 is connected to the other side of the pre-chamber 10.

[0109] In addition, the gas flow line 104 and the first smell sensor room 110 - 1 are coupled to each other through the coupling pipe 120 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0110] A first odor sensor 112-1 for sensing pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc. is attached to the inner bottom surface of the first odor sensor chamber 110-1. The first odor sensor 112-1 may be one of an electrochemical odor sensor, an electrochemical odor sensor array, a biopeptide type sensor, a sensor using amino acids, and other types of odor sensors.

[0111] In this case, the first odor sensor 112-1 is connected to the controller 130 so as to be able to send a sensing signal. Thus, the first odor sensor 112-1 can send a signal to the controller 130, that is, an output value of pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc. sensed by the odor sensor 112.

[0112] In particular, the second odor sensor chamber 110-2 adopts a structure in which a fresh air inlet port and a fresh air outlet port are respectively formed in one side and the other side of the second odor sensor chamber 110-2. The second odor sensor chamber 110-2 is separately installed at an external position where fresh air is seamlessly introduced. The second odor sensor 112-2 for sensing fresh air is attached to the inner bottom surface of the second odor sensor chamber 110-2.

[0113] Therefore, the second odor sensor 112-2 is connected to the controller 130 so that a sensing signal can be sent. Thus, the second odor sensor 112-2 can send a signal to the controller 130, that is, an output value of fresh air sensed by the second odor sensor 112-2.

[0114] Therefore, the controller 130 can be configured to set the baseline representing the reference value to the output value of the odor measurement object gas sensed by the first odor sensor 112-1 based on the signal generated by the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, or the signal generated by the second odor sensor 112-2 sensing the fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber 110-2.

[0115] For this reason, Fig.10 As shown, when external air as fresh air is supplied to the second odor sensor chamber 110-2 in a state where the first valve 101-1 and the second valve 102-1 are closed, the controller 130 is configured to set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the second odor sensor 112-2 sensing the fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber 110-2.

[0116] As described above, the second odor sensor chamber 110-2 and the second odor sensor 112-2 for setting a baseline by sensing fresh air are separately arranged at an external position where fresh air flows seamlessly from the outside. This configuration can allow fresh air to be sensed more easily and can reduce the sensing load on the first odor sensor 112-1, thereby ensuring durable performance.

[0117] Odor measurement may be necessary at a location where the outside air as fresh air is polluted. For example, a vehicle may pass through a livestock shed that generates odors or pass through an industrial complex. In addition, odor measurement may be necessary at a location where the outside air as fresh air is polluted or does not exist, such as the inside of a manhole where toxic gases are present, the inside of an airtight coal mine, the inside of an airtight submersible vehicle, the inside of an airtight submarine, the inside of an airtight spacecraft, the inside of an airtight spacecraft, and the like. In these cases, when the baseline used as a reference value is set to the output value of the second odor sensor 112-2 that senses fresh air, the baseline used as a reference value may be inaccurate. As a result, the incremental value (the amount of change in the odor measurement object gas) representing the difference between the baseline and the output value of the second odor sensor 112-2 may inevitably be inaccurate as described above.

[0118] To address this issue, in situations where odor measurement is required in a location where fresh air is contaminated or absent, the user can use an input device (e.g., a switch or menu button installed in the vehicle, or a corresponding application installed on a smart device) to instruct the controller 130 to set a baseline based on pure air.

[0119] Therefore, if Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the case where odor measurement is necessary at a location where fresh air is polluted or does not exist, the controller 130 is configured to open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1.

[0120] As described above, after setting the baseline, a process of measuring the odor present in a specific interior space (eg, a vehicle interior space, etc.) may be performed.

[0121] For this reason, Fig.11 As shown, the controller 130 may open the second valve 102-1 while closing the first valve 101-1, so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas inflow pipeline 102 to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 through the gas flow pipeline 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 may be configured to calculate an incremental value representing a difference between an output value of the odor measurement object gas sensed by the first odor sensor 112-1 supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 and a baseline representing a reference value, and determine the calculated incremental value as a change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

[0122] In the case where the first odor sensor 112-1 is initially attached inside the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, in order to manage the life and durability of the first odor sensor 112-1, it is preferable to store the initial output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 in the controller 130.

[0123] For this reason, Fig. 9 As shown, in the case where the first odor sensor 112-1 is initially attached inside the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, the controller 130 is configured to open the first valve 101-1 and close the second valve 102-1 at the same time, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to use the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 as an initial value.

[0124] In this case, as the use of the first smell sensor 112-1 accumulates more, more cracks appear on the surface of the first smell sensor 112-1, or more foreign matter (dust, gas particles, etc.) accumulates on the surface of the first smell sensor 112-1, which causes the sensing performance to be reduced. For these reasons, the performance of the first smell sensor 112-1 is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately determine the time period when the first smell sensor 112-1 is replaced.

[0125] To this end, the controller 130 may store the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing pure air as an initial value, and may open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1, so that pure air is supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 at a predetermined time interval. Thus, the first odor sensor 112-1 may sense pure air at a predetermined time interval.

[0126] Therefore, the controller 130 is configured to store the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing pure air as an initial value, and then compare the subsequent output value of the pure air sensed by the first odor sensor 112-1 with the initial value at a predetermined time interval. In addition, the controller 130 is configured to determine the replacement of the first odor sensor 112-1 due to the performance degradation of the first odor sensor 112-1, and when the difference between the subsequent output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 and the initial value reaches a predetermined level or higher, perform alarm control for replacing the first odor sensor 112-1.

[0127] In this case, the controller 130 may instruct the visual or audio alarm device 132 to issue an alarm signal to perform alarm control for replacing the first odor sensor 112-1.

[0128] Preferably, an intake pump 114 for introducing pure air and the odor measurement object gas into the first odor sensor chamber 110 - 1 is linked to an outlet port formed at the other side of the first odor sensor chamber 110 - 1 .

[0129] Therefore, by driving the air intake pump 114, pure air and odor measurement object gas can be easily introduced into the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, and after being sensed by the first odor sensor 112-1, can be discharged to the outside through the outlet port in the first odor sensor chamber 110-1.

[0130] When the first odor sensor 112-1 senses pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc., the odor data generated by the measurement of the first odor sensor 112-1 may vary with the temperature or humidity of the air or gas. As a result, the accuracy of the measurement by the first odor sensor 112-1 may be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to uniformly adjust the temperature or humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc.) detected by the first odor sensor 112-1.

[0131] To this end, in order to heat the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line 104, a first heater 141 and a first cooler 151 are installed on the pre-chamber 10. The first heater 141 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130. The first cooler 151 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130 so as to cool the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line 104.

[0132] Therefore, when the temperature of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 is lower than the reference value, or when the humidity thereof is equal to or higher than the reference value, the controller 130 activates the first heater 141 based on the detection signal of the temperature and humidity sensor (not shown), so that the first heater 141 performs a heating operation. Conversely, when the temperature of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 is equal to or higher than the reference value, or when the humidity thereof is lower than the reference value, the controller 130 activates the first cooler 151 based on the detection signal of the temperature and humidity sensor, so that the first cooler 151 performs a cooling operation. Thus, the temperature and humidity of the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line 104 can be uniformly adjusted.

[0133] Preferably, the pre-chamber 10 is manufactured such that its volume facilitates the transfer of warm air generated during heating or cool air generated during cooling to the air or gas flowing through the gas flow line 104 .

[0134] In this case, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 are mainly adjusted by the first heater 141 or the first cooler 151, but may not be completely adjusted to a predetermined level.

[0135] Therefore, the second heater 142 and the second cooler 152 may be further installed at predetermined positions on the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, respectively. The second heater 142 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130 so as to heat the interior of the odor sensor chamber 110-1. The second cooler 152 is activated and deactivated by the controller 130 so as to cool the interior of the odor sensor chamber 110-1.

[0136] With this configuration, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, etc.) flowing through the gas flow line 104 are adjusted mainly by the first heater 141 or the first cooler 151, and then the air or gas is supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1. Thereafter, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas introduced into the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 are secondarily adjusted by the heating operation of the second heater 142 and the cooling operation of the second cooler 152. Thus, the temperature and humidity of the air or gas (pure air, odor measurement target gas, fresh air, etc.) detected by the first odor sensor 112-1 can be fully adjusted to a predetermined level. Therefore, the accuracy of the odor data generated by the measurement of the first odor sensor 112-1 can be ensured.

[0137] The sequential steps of odor measurement by the apparatus for measuring odor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure are performed as follows.

[0138] Fig.13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring an odor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] First, when the first odor sensor 112-1 is initially attached to the inside of the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, in step S201, the first odor sensor 112-1 is set to sense pure air, and the controller 130 stores the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing pure air as an initial value.

[0140] For this reason, Fig. 9As shown, in the case where the first odor sensor 112-1 is initially attached inside the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, the controller 130 opens the first valve 101-1 and closes the second valve 102-1, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 stores the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 as an initial value.

[0141] Then, in step S202, the user checks whether the outside air as fresh air is polluted or whether fresh air exists.

[0142] In the case where the result of the check is that the outside air as fresh air is clean and not polluted, in step S203, the baseline is set to the output value of the second odor sensor 112-2 sensing the fresh air.

[0143] For this reason, Fig.10 As shown, in a state where the first valve 101-1 and the second valve 102-1 are closed, the controller 130 can set a baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the second odor sensor 112-2 sensing fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber 110-2, and can store the output value of the second odor sensor 112-2.

[0144] In contrast, in step S204, in a case where the outside air as fresh air is polluted or does not exist, the baseline is set to an output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing pure air.

[0145] For this reason, Fig.12 As shown in , the controller 130 may open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1, so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line 101 to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 through the gas flow line 104 and the connecting pipe 120. In addition, the controller 130 may set the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 as a baseline used as a reference value, and may store the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1.

[0146] Next, in step S205, the first odor sensor 112-1 senses an odor measurement target gas (eg, various bad odors existing inside a vehicle, bad odors existing in various industrial sites, etc.).

[0147] For this reason, Fig.11As shown, the controller 130 opens the second valve 102-1 while closing the first valve 101-1, so that the odor measurement target gas is supplied from the gas inflow pipeline 102 to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 through the gas flow pipeline 104 and the connection pipe 120. The first odor sensor 112-1 senses the odor measurement target gas supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1, and transmits an output value generated by the sensing to the controller 130.

[0148] Subsequently, in step S206 , the controller 130 calculates an incremental value representing a difference between an output value of the first odor sensor 112 - 1 sensing the odor measurement target gas and a baseline representing a reference value, and determines the calculated incremental value as a change amount of the odor measurement target gas.

[0149] The controller 130 may store the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing pure air as an initial value, and then may open the first valve 101-1 while closing the second valve 102-1, so that pure air is supplied to the first odor sensor chamber 110-1 at a predetermined time interval. Thus, in step S207, the first odor sensor 112-1 may sense pure air at a predetermined time interval.

[0150] Subsequently, at step S208, the controller 130 compares the initial value with a subsequent output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 sensing pure air at a predetermined time interval. When the absolute value difference between the subsequent output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 and the initial value is equal to a predetermined level or higher, the controller 130 determines that the replacement of the first odor sensor 112-1 is caused due to the degradation of the performance of the first odor sensor 112-1, and performs an alarm control for replacing the first odor sensor 112-1 at step S209.

[0151] Therefore, the controller 130 can instruct the visual or audio alarm device 132 to issue an alarm signal to perform an alarm control for replacing the first smell sensor 112-1. Thus, the user can recognize that the first smell sensor 112-1 needs to be replaced due to the degradation of its performance.

[0152] In the odor measurement method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a baseline serving as a reference value for the output value of the first odor sensor 112-1 can be accurately preset, and an incremental value representing a difference between the preset baseline and the output value of the odor measurement target gas sensed by the first odor sensor 112-1 can be determined as a change amount of the odor measurement target gas. Thus, the accuracy of odor measurement can be improved.

[0153] The device for measuring odor according to the present disclosure can be installed in future mobility vehicles (such as special-purpose vehicles (PBV) or urban air mobility (UAM)) and in standard ground vehicles, and can measure various odors occurring in standard ground vehicles and future mobility vehicles. Therefore, the device can accurately analyze the actual cause of the occurrence of bad odors based on the odor data generated by the measurement, thereby contributing to improving the odor-related emotional quality of the vehicle and future mobility.

[0154] The device for measuring odor according to the present disclosure can be installed on a robot that is easy to enter various industrial sites (e.g., industrial sites where gas or bad odor leaks occur). Therefore, the practicality of the robot can be greatly enhanced, for example, by accurately measuring the components and concentrations of odors present in these industrial sites.

[0155] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, but the scope of the claims of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements made by ordinary technicians in the field using the basic concepts of the present disclosure defined in the appended claims are also included in the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A device for measuring odor, the device comprising: Pre-room: A pure air supply line connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a gas inflow pipeline configured to introduce a gas to be measured as an odor, the gas inflow pipeline being connected to the one side of the pre-chamber; a fresh air supply line connected to the one side of the pre-chamber; A first valve installed on the pure air supply line; A second valve installed on the gas inflow pipeline; a third valve installed on the fresh air supply line; an odor sensor chamber, to which the pure air supply line, the gas inflow line, and the fresh air supply line are connected so as to be accessible to the odor sensor chamber; An odor sensor is installed inside the odor sensor chamber; as well as The controller is configured to set a baseline of a reference value representing an output value of the odor sensor sensing the odor measurement target gas based on a signal generated by the odor sensor sensing pure air or fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a gas flow line, one end of which is connected to the pure air supply line, the gas inflow line and the fresh air supply line so as to be accessible to the pure air supply line, the gas inflow line and the fresh air supply line, and the other end of which is coupled to the other side of the pre-chamber; a connecting pipe connected between the gas flow line and the smell sensor chamber to enable the gas flow line and the smell sensor chamber to communicate with each other; and A pure air supply box is connected to the pure air supply line.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to close the second valve and the third valve while opening the first valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the odor sensor chamber, and the controller is configured to store an output value of the odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber as an initial value.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The controller is configured to store an output value of the odor sensor sensing pure air as the initial value, then compare subsequent output values ​​of the odor sensor sensing pure air with the initial value at a predetermined time interval, and perform alarm control for replacing the odor sensor when a difference between the subsequent output value of the odor sensor and the initial value reaches a predetermined level or higher.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to close the first valve and the second valve while opening the third valve so that outside air as fresh air is supplied from the fresh air supply line to the odor sensor chamber, and the controller is configured to set the baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the odor sensor sensing the fresh air supplied to the odor sensor chamber.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to close the first valve and the third valve while opening the second valve, so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas supply pipeline to the odor sensor chamber, and the controller is configured to calculate an incremental value representing the difference between an output value of the odor measurement object gas sensed by the odor sensor supplied to the odor sensor chamber and the baseline representing a reference value, and determine the calculated incremental value as the change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to, when odor measurement is required at a location where outside air as fresh air is contaminated, close the second valve and the third valve while opening the first valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the odor sensor chamber, and set the baseline used as a reference value to an output value of the odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the odor sensor chamber.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: An air intake pump for introducing pure air, odor measurement object gas, and fresh air into the odor sensor chamber is coupled to an outlet port formed in the other side of the odor sensor chamber.

9. The device according to claim 2, further comprising: a first heater configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line; and a first cooler configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line, the first heater and the first cooler being mounted on the pre-chamber.

10. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second heater configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the interior of the odor sensor chamber; and a second cooler configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the interior of the odor sensor chamber, the second heater and the second cooler being mounted on the odor sensor chamber.

11. A device for measuring odor, the device comprising: Pre-chamber; A pure air supply line connected to one side of the pre-chamber; a gas inflow pipeline configured to introduce a gas to be measured as an odor, the gas inflow pipeline being connected to one side of the pre-chamber; A first valve installed on the pure air supply line; A second valve installed on the gas inflow pipeline; a first odor sensor chamber, the pure air supply line and the gas inflow line being connected to the first odor sensor chamber so as to be able to pass into the first odor sensor chamber; A first odor sensor, installed inside the first odor sensor chamber; a second odor sensor chamber having a structure in which a fresh air inlet port is positioned in one side of the second odor sensor chamber and a fresh air outlet port is positioned in the other side of the second odor sensor chamber, the second odor sensor chamber being separately installed at an external position where fresh air is seamlessly introduced; a second odor sensor, mounted inside the second odor sensor chamber; as well as The controller is configured to set a baseline of a reference value representing an output value of the first odor sensor sensing the odor measurement target gas based on a signal generated by the first odor sensor sensing pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber or a signal generated by the second odor sensor sensing fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising: a gas flow line, one end of which is connected to the pure air supply line and the gas inflow line so as to be accessible to the pure air supply line and the gas inflow line, and the other end of which is connected to the other side of the pre-chamber; a connecting pipe connected between the gas flow line and the first odor sensor chamber so as to enable the gas flow line and the first odor sensor chamber to communicate with each other; as well as A pure air supply box is connected to the pure air supply line.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein: The controller is configured to close the second valve while opening the first valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the first odor sensor chamber, and the controller is configured to store an output value of the first odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber as an initial value.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein: The controller is configured to: store the output value of the first odor sensor sensing pure air as the initial value, then compare subsequent output values ​​of the first odor sensor sensing pure air with the initial value at a predetermined time interval, and when the difference between the subsequent output value of the first odor sensor and the initial value reaches a predetermined level or higher, perform alarm control for replacing the first odor sensor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: The controller is configured to set a baseline serving as a reference value to an output value of the second odor sensor sensing fresh air supplied to the second odor sensor chamber.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: The controller is configured to close the first valve while opening the second valve, so that the odor measurement object gas is supplied from the gas supply pipeline to the first odor sensor chamber, and the controller is configured to calculate an incremental value representing the difference between an output value of the odor measurement object gas sensed by the first odor sensor supplied to the first odor sensor chamber and a baseline representing a reference value, and determine the calculated incremental value as the change amount of the odor measurement object gas.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: The controller is configured to, when odor measurement is performed at a location where outside air as fresh air is contaminated, open the first valve and simultaneously close the second valve so that pure air is supplied from the pure air supply line to the first odor sensor chamber, and set a baseline serving as a reference value to an output value of the first odor sensor sensing the pure air supplied to the first odor sensor chamber.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: An air intake pump for introducing pure air and odor measurement object gas into the first odor sensor chamber is coupled to an outlet port formed in the other side of the first odor sensor chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a first heater configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line; and a first cooler configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the gas or air flowing through the gas flow line, the first heater and the first cooler being mounted on the pre-chamber.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a second heater configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to heat the interior of the first odor sensor chamber; and a second cooler configured to be activated and deactivated by the controller to cool the interior of the first odor sensor chamber, the second heater and the second cooler being mounted on the first odor sensor chamber.

Images