Odor detection device and odor detection method

Abstract

The invention provides an odor detection device and an odor detection method. The odor detection device and the odor detection method are used for detecting low-concentration odor gas which is emitted from explosives or poisonous substances and has the concentration lower than a certain level. According to the odor detection device and the odor detection method, low-concentration odorous gas with the concentration below a certain level is concentrated, so that high-concentration odorous gas with the concentration higher than a certain level is obtained, the high-concentration odorous gas is supplied to the odor sensor, and the odor sensor can sense the high-concentration odorous gas. The odor detection device and the odor detection method can be used in various industrial and inspection places.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an odor detection device and an odor detection method, and more particularly to an odor detection device and an odor detection method capable of conveniently detecting low-concentration odorous gases. Background Art

[0002] Existing odor sensors are constructed to detect odors generated in vehicles and also to detect odors generated in various industrial sites. The odor sensor may use an electrochemical odor sensor and an electrochemical odor sensor array. Alternatively, a biological odor sensor may be used, such as a biological peptide type sensor and a sensor using amino acids.

[0003] The odor data detected by the existing odor sensor is acquired based on a predetermined time. Here, the odor components are not evenly mixed in the air within the predetermined time, and the odor data detected by the odor sensor varies according to the temperature and humidity of the air or gas containing the odorous gas (hereinafter referred to as the odorous gas). Accordingly, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of the odor sensor may decrease.

[0004] In particular, existing odor sensors can detect odorous gases with a concentration higher than a certain level. However, if odorous gases continuously leak from various industrial sites, existing odorous gas sensors cannot detect odorous gases with a low concentration below a certain level, and if explosives or toxic substances generate odorous gases, existing odorous sensors cannot detect other types of odorous gases with a low concentration below a certain level.

[0005] For example, since explosives, drugs, etc. are sealed using various forms of sealing means, existing odor sensors cannot detect low-concentration odor gases generated by explosives or drugs below a certain level. In this case, sniffer dogs for detecting explosives and drugs are used.

[0006] In addition, odorous gases with a low concentration below a certain level that leak from various industrial sites may be explosive gases. In this case, gas accumulation may cause explosion accidents.

[0007] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention provides an odor detection device and an odor detection method, which are configured to reliably detect low-concentration odor gas whose concentration is below a certain level. In particular, the odor gas with a low concentration initially is concentrated to reach a higher concentration above a certain level, and then the concentrated odor gas is supplied to the odor sensor, so that the odor sensor can accurately detect the low-concentration odor gas.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, an odor detection device includes: an antechamber having an inlet disposed on a first side of the antechamber, and the inlet is configured to allow odorous gas to be introduced into the antechamber. The antechamber also has an outlet disposed on a second side of the antechamber, and the outlet is configured to discharge odorous gas from the antechamber. The odor detection device also includes a flow pipe configured to connect the inlet and the outlet. The odor detection device also includes a gas capture unit installed on the flow pipe and configured to collect odorous gas particles. The odor detection device also includes a first heater installed on the antechamber and configured to heat the gas capture unit. The odor detection device also includes a first cooler installed on the antechamber and configured to cool the gas capture unit. The odor detection device also includes an odor sensor chamber connected to the outlet of the antechamber through a connecting pipe. The odor detection device also includes an odor sensor installed in the odor sensor chamber and configured to sense odorous gas desorbed from the gas capture unit. The odor detection device also includes a controller configured to operate and control the first heater and the first cooler.

[0010] In an embodiment, the odor detection device may further include a bypass pipe having a first end connected to the connecting pipe and a second end connected to the discharge pipe of the odor sensor chamber. The odor detection device may further include a first three-way valve installed at a connection point between the connecting pipe and the first end of the bypass pipe and controlled by the controller. The odor detection device may further include a second three-way valve installed at a connection point between the discharge pipe and the second end of the bypass pipe and controlled by the controller.

[0011] In another embodiment, the antechamber may have at least three inlets formed therein and configured to smoothly introduce low-concentration odorous gas having a concentration below a certain level into the antechamber.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the exhaust pipe of the odor sensor chamber may be connected to a suction pump driven under the control of the controller.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the odor sensor chamber may have a second heater and a second cooler mounted on the odor sensor chamber. The second heater may heat the odor sensor under the control of the controller, and the second cooler may cool the odor sensor under the control of the controller.

[0014] In another embodiment, the gas capture unit may be composed of a shell and a porous body. The shell is open at two opposite sides thereof, and the porous body may be arranged in the shell to adsorb odorous gas particles.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the gas capture unit may include a housing, laminated metal plates, and a plurality of metal wedges. The housing may be open on opposite sides thereof, the laminated metal plates may be stacked in the housing, and the plurality of metal wedges may be installed in a predetermined arrangement between the laminated metal plates.

[0016] In another further embodiment, the gas capture unit may include a housing and an electrostatic filter. The housing may be open on opposite sides thereof, and the electrostatic filter may be installed in the housing to adsorb odorous gas particles.

[0017] In yet a further embodiment, when the gas capture unit comprises an electrostatic filter, the flow pipe may have a guide device mounted thereon and configured to make the odorous gas flow in reverse from the rear of the gas capture unit to the front of the gas capture unit.

[0018] In yet a further embodiment, the guiding device may include a first guiding pipe portion having a first end connected to a predetermined position of a flow pipe connected to the front of the gas capture unit. The first guiding pipe also has a second end connected to a predetermined position of a flow pipe connected to the rear of the gas capture unit. The guiding device may also include a second guiding pipe having a first end connected to the flow pipe between the first end of the first guiding pipe and the front of the gas capture unit. The second guiding pipe also has a second end connected to the flow pipe between the other end of the first guiding pipe and the outlet of the front chamber. The guiding device may also include a first switch valve installed on the flow pipe between the first end of the first guiding pipe and the first end of the second guiding pipe. The first switch valve is opened or closed under the control of the controller. The guiding device may also include a second switch valve installed on the flow pipe between the second end of the first guiding pipe and the second end of the second guiding pipe. The second switch valve is opened or closed under the control of the controller.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, the odor detection method includes allowing a low-concentration odor gas having a concentration below a certain level to flow through a flow tube connecting an inlet of an antechamber and an outlet of the antechamber. The odor detection method also includes collecting odor gas particles within a predetermined time by a gas capture unit installed on the flow tube. The odor detection method also includes desorbing the odor gas particles collected in the gas capture unit after a predetermined time. The odor detection method also includes supplying the odor gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit to an odor sensor chamber provided with an odor sensor. The odor detection method also includes sensing the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber by the odor sensor.

[0020] In an embodiment, the front chamber may have a first cooler installed on the front chamber. The odor detection method further includes driving the first cooler under the control of the controller when collecting odor gas particles within a predetermined time through a gas capture unit installed on the flow pipe, so as to adsorb the odor gas particles onto the gas capture unit by cooling the gas capture unit.

[0021] In another embodiment, the antechamber may have a first heater mounted on the antechamber. The odor detection method further includes driving the first heater under the control of the controller when desorbing the odor gas particles collected in the gas capture unit after a predetermined time, so as to desorb the odor gas particles from the gas capture unit by heating the gas capture unit.

[0022] In another embodiment, the odor sensor chamber may have a second cooler mounted on the odor sensor chamber. The odor detection method further includes driving the second cooler under the control of the controller when the odor sensor senses the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber, so as to adsorb the odor gas particles onto the surface of the odor sensor by cooling the odor sensor.

[0023] In another embodiment, the odor sensor chamber may have a second heater installed on the odor sensor chamber. The odor detection method further includes, after the odor sensor senses the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber, driving the second heater under the control of the controller to desorb the odor gas particles from the surface of the odor sensor by heating the odor sensor.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, when the concentration of the odor gas sensed by the odor sensor is lower than a certain level, the step of collecting odor gas particles within a predetermined time by the gas capture unit installed on the flow pipe may be repeatedly performed.

[0025] In a further embodiment, when the concentration of the odor gas sensed by the odor sensor is lower than a certain level, the odor gas can be bypassed through a bypass pipe. The bypass pipe can connect the connecting pipe connected to the outlet of the front chamber to the exhaust pipe of the odor sensor chamber.

[0026] Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

[0027] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used herein include general motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as gasoline-powered and electric vehicles.

[0028] The above features and other features of the present invention are discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to better understand the content of the present invention, the present invention is described in various forms by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an odor detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention and its operating state;

[0031] Figure 3A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a gas capture unit of an odor detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing a gas capture unit of an odor detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a method for detecting an odor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an odor detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention and its operating state; and

[0035] Figure 7 is a flow chart showing an odor detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0037] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and present somewhat simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the inventive content disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, are determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0038] In the drawings, like reference numerals designate the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The specific structure or function description related to the embodiment of the present invention is illustrative and is only used for the purpose of describing the embodiment of the concept according to the present invention. The embodiment of the concept according to the present invention can be realized in various forms. In addition, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiment. On the contrary, the present invention is not only intended to cover the embodiment, but also to cover various substitutions, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which can be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0040] At the same time, in the present invention, terms such as "first" and / or "second" may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of rights of the concept of the present invention. When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, element, or the like should be considered herein as "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function. Each component, device, element, etc. may be embodied separately as part of a device or contained in a processor and memory such as a non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an odor detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention and its operating state.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the front chamber 100 has an inlet 101 disposed at one side thereof and configured to allow odorous gas to be introduced thereinto, and has an outlet 102 disposed at the other side thereof and configured to allow odorous gas to be discharged therefrom.

[0044] In addition, the front chamber 100 has a flow tube 110 disposed inside thereof, and the flow tube 110 is configured to connect the inlet 101 and the outlet 102 to allow odorous gas to flow through the flow tube 110 .

[0045] In an embodiment, the front chamber 100 has at least three inlets 101 formed therein, and the inlets 101 are configured to allow low-concentration odorous gas having a concentration below a certain level to be smoothly introduced thereinto.

[0046] In this case, the front end of the flow tube 110 may be formed with three tubes, each of which may be communicatively connected to a corresponding one of the inlets 101, and the rear end of the flow tube 110 may be formed as one tube communicatively connected to the three tubes.

[0047] In particular, the flow pipe 110 has a gas capture unit 120 installed therein and configured to collect odorous gas particles.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3A As shown, the gas capture unit 120 includes a housing 121 whose opposite sides are open to be communicatively connected to the flow pipe 110, and includes a porous body 122 disposed in the housing 121 and configured to adsorb odorous gas particles, such as charcoal.

[0049] Or, if Figure 3B As shown, the gas capture unit 120 includes a shell 121 which is open on opposite sides to be communicatively connected to the flow pipe 110, a plurality of multilayer metal plates 123 stacked in the shell 121, and a plurality of metal pins 124 installed between the metal plates 123 in a predetermined arrangement and configured to adsorb odorous gas particles.

[0050] In addition, a first heater 130 for heating the gas capture unit 120 and a first cooler 140 for cooling the gas capture unit are installed at a lower portion of the front chamber 100 .

[0051] For example, a heating coil or the like may be used as the first heater 130. As the first cooler 140, a blower or the like configured to suck in cool air according to the driving of the air conditioner may be used. Alternatively, a single Peltier element capable of heating or cooling may be used as the first heater 130 and the first cooler 140.

[0052] Meanwhile, at a high temperature above a certain temperature, the frequency of collision and contact between the odor gas particles and the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120 is reduced. Therefore, the speed at which the odor gas particles are adsorbed onto the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120 is reduced. The reason for this is that the adsorption and binding force between the odor gas particles and the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120 is reduced due to the increase in momentum of the odor gas particles caused by thermal vibration.

[0053] Therefore, at high temperatures above a certain temperature, odorous gas particles will not easily adsorb onto the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120, and odorous gas particles will easily desorb from the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120.

[0054] On the contrary, at a low temperature below a certain temperature, the frequency of collision and contact between the gas particles to be detected for odor and the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120 increases. Therefore, the speed at which the gas particles to be detected for odor are adsorbed onto the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120 increases. The reason for this is that the momentum of the odor gas particles caused by thermal vibration decreases, and the adsorption and binding force between the odor gas particles and the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120 increases.

[0055] Therefore, at low temperatures below a certain temperature, odorous gas particles can be easily adsorbed onto the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120, and odorous gas particles are not easily desorbed from the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120.

[0056] Therefore, the gas capture unit 120 is cooled by the cooling operation of the first cooler 140, thereby cooling the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124. Thus, odor gas particles can be easily adsorbed on the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120.

[0057] In addition, the heat is transferred to the gas capture unit 120 by the heating operation of the first heater 130, thereby heating the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124. Thus, the odor gas particles can be easily desorbed from the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120.

[0058] The smell sensor chamber 200 is communicably connected with the outlet 102 of the front chamber 100 through a connection pipe 150 having a predetermined length.

[0059] In addition, an odor sensor 210 configured to sense odorous gas is installed in the odor sensor chamber 200 .

[0060] Therefore, the odor sensor 210 may easily sense the odor gas that is desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 and then introduced into the odor sensor chamber 200 through the connection pipe 150 .

[0061] In addition, the odor sensor chamber 200 may have a second heater 230 mounted thereon and configured to heat the odor sensor 210 and a second cooler 240 mounted thereon and configured to cool the odor sensor 210. Therefore, as described above, at a low temperature below a certain temperature, odor gas particles may be easily adsorbed onto the surface of the odor sensor 210, and at a high temperature above a certain temperature, odor gas particles may be easily desorbed from the surface of the odor sensor 210.

[0062] The odor detection device of the present invention further includes a bypass pipe 220, one end of which is connected to the connection pipe 150, and the other end is connected to the discharge pipe 202 of the odor sensor chamber 200. The bypass pipe 220 further includes a first three-way valve 221 installed at a connection point between the connection pipe 150 and one end of the bypass pipe 220. The bypass pipe 220 further includes a second three-way valve 222 installed at a connection point between the discharge pipe 202 and the other end of the bypass pipe 220.

[0063] Therefore, when odorous gas particles are collected by the gas capture unit 120 for a predetermined time, the first three-way valve 221 can be opened in a direction to connect the connecting pipe 150 and the bypass pipe 220 to each other, and the second three-way valve 222 can be opened in a direction to connect the bypass pipe 220 and the exhaust pipe 202 to each other.

[0064] Alternatively, the first three-way valve 221 can be opened in a direction to connect the connecting pipe 150 and the odor sensor chamber 200 to each other so as to supply the odor gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 to the odor sensor chamber 200, and the second three-way valve 222 can be opened in a direction to connect the odor sensor chamber 200 and the exhaust pipe 202 to each other.

[0065] Here, since the suction pump 250 driven under the control of the controller 300 is connected to the exhaust pipe 202 of the odor sensor chamber 200, the suction force generated by the driving of the suction pump 250 can be applied to the gas capture unit 120 in the front chamber 100 through the odor sensor chamber 200 and the connecting pipe 150, and the suction force can be applied to the gas capture unit 120 in the front chamber 100 through the bypass pipe 220 and the connecting pipe 150.

[0066] Meanwhile, the controller 300 is configured to ON or OFF control the first heater 130 and the first cooler 140 , ON or OFF control the second heater 230 and the second cooler 240 , and perform opening direction control on the first three-way valve 221 and the second three-way valve 222 .

[0067] The following describes an odor detection method performed by the odor detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing an odor detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] First, low-concentration odor gas having a concentration lower than a certain level is made to flow from the inlet 101 to the outlet 102 of the front chamber 100 through the flow pipe 110 within a predetermined time (S101).

[0070] In this case, since the front chamber 100 is provided with at least three inlets 101, low-concentration odorous gas with a concentration below a certain level can be smoothly introduced into the circulation tube 110 from the odor detection target (for example, explosives or poisons sealed by sealing means) through three or more inlets 101.

[0071] Next, in the next step, the gas capture unit 120 installed on the flow pipe 110 collects odorous gas particles within a predetermined time (S102).

[0072] More specifically, when the low-concentration odor gas introduced into the circulation pipe 110 enters the housing 121 of the gas capture unit 120 , the odor gas particles may be adsorbed and collected on the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 in the housing 121 .

[0073] In addition, when the odor gas particles are easily collected by the gas capture unit 120 within a predetermined time, the gas capture unit 120 is cooled by the cooling operation of the first cooler 140 under the control of the controller 300 to cool the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124. Thus, the odor gas particles can be easily adsorbed onto the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120.

[0074] At this time, when the odorous gas particles are collected by the gas capture unit 120 for a predetermined time, the first three-way valve 221 can be opened in the direction of allowing the connecting pipe 150 and the bypass pipe 220 to be connected to each other under the control of the controller 300, and the second three-way valve 222 can be opened in the direction of allowing the bypass pipe 220 and the exhaust pipe 202 to be connected to each other under the control of the controller 300.

[0075] In addition, the suction pump 250 is driven under the control of the controller 300 , and a suction force generated by the operation of the suction pump 250 is applied to the gas capture unit 120 in the front chamber 100 through the bypass pipe 220 and the connection pipe 150 .

[0076] Therefore, when the odor gas particles are collected by the gas capture unit 120 for a predetermined time, the remaining odor gas that is not collected does not flow to the odor sensor chamber 200 but flows to the exhaust pipe 202 through the bypass pipe 220.

[0077] In the next step, the odorous gas particles collected in the gas capture unit 120 are desorbed after a predetermined time (S103).

[0078] To this end, the first heater 130 installed on the front chamber 100 is controlled under the control of the controller 300 to desorb odorous gas particles from the gas capture unit 120 by heating the gas capture unit 120 .

[0079] Therefore, through the heating operation of the first heater 130, heat is transferred to the gas capture unit 120, and the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 is heated. Thus, odor gas particles can be easily desorbed from the surface of the porous body 122 or the metal wedge 124 of the gas capture unit 120.

[0080] In the next step, the odor gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 are supplied to the odor sensor chamber 200 in which the odor sensor 210 is installed (S104).

[0081] To this end, the first three-way valve 221 may be opened in a direction that enables the connection pipe 150 and the odor sensor chamber 200 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300, so as to supply the odor gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 to the odor sensor chamber 200. The second three-way valve 222 may be opened in a direction that enables the odor sensor chamber 200 and the exhaust pipe 202 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300.

[0082] In addition, the suction pump 250 is driven under the control of the controller 300 , and a suction force generated by the operation of the suction pump 250 is applied to the gas capture unit 120 in the front chamber 100 through the smell sensor chamber 200 and the connection pipe 150 .

[0083] Therefore, the odor gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 may be supplied into the odor sensor chamber 200 without flowing to the bypass pipe 220 through the connection pipe 150 .

[0084] In the next step, the odor sensor 210 senses the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber 200, that is, the odor gas desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 (S105).

[0085] To this end, the second cooler 240 installed on the odor sensor chamber 200 is driven under the control of the controller 300, so that the odor gas particles are well adsorbed onto the surface of the odor sensor 210 by cooling the odor sensor 210.

[0086] Therefore, as described above, the odor sensor 210 can be cooled by driving the second cooler 240, and the odor gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit 120 can be easily adsorbed onto the surface of the odor sensor 210 at a low temperature below a certain temperature. Thus, the odor sensor 210 can easily sense the odor gas desorbed from the gas capture unit 120.

[0087] After the step of sensing the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber 200 by the odor sensor 210 for a predetermined time, it is necessary to desorb the odor gas particles from the surface of the odor sensor 210 to sense the newly incoming odor gas.

[0088] To this end, the second heater 230 installed on the odor sensor chamber 200 is driven under the control of the controller 300 so that the odor gas particles are well desorbed from the surface of the odor sensor 210 by heating the odor sensor 210 .

[0089] The second heater installed on the odor sensor chamber is driven under the control of the controller, so that the odor gas particles are desorbed from the surface of the odor sensor by heating the odor sensor 210.

[0090] Therefore, as described above, the odor sensor 210 can be heated by driving the second heater 230, and the odor gas particles can be easily desorbed from the surface of the odor sensor 210 at a high temperature above a certain temperature. Thus, the surface of the odor sensor 210 can be kept in a clean state to sense the newly entered odor gas.

[0091] Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned step S105 , the signal sensed by the odor sensor 210 is transmitted to the controller 300 .

[0092] Next, the controller 300 determines whether the concentration of the odor gas sensed by the odor sensor 210 is less than or equal to or greater than a certain level (S106).

[0093] As a result of the judgment in step S106, if the concentration of the odor gas sensed by the odor sensor 210 is lower than a certain level ("Yes" in S106), the gas capture unit 120 installed on the circulation pipe 110 repeatedly performs the collection of odor gas particles within a predetermined time (S107).

[0094] To this end, the first three-way valve 221 is opened again in a direction that allows the connection pipe 150 and the bypass pipe 220 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300. The second three-way valve 222 is opened again in a direction that allows the bypass pipe 220 and the discharge pipe 202 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300.

[0095] Therefore, when the odor gas particles are repeatedly collected by the gas capture unit 120 for a predetermined time, the remaining odor gas that is not collected does not flow to the odor sensor chamber 200, but is also bypassed through the bypass pipe 220, thereby flowing through the exhaust pipe 202.

[0096] On the other hand, as a result of the judgment in step S106, if the concentration of the odor gas sensed by the odor sensor 210 is equal to or greater than a certain level ("No" in S106), the odor gas components sensed by the odor sensor 210 can be analyzed (S108).

[0097] For example, the controller 300 may perform odor gas analysis, including analysis on the type of odor gas components sensed by the odor sensor 210 and pattern comparison with the target gas, and execute the next step according to the analysis result.

[0098] Next, a smell detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0099] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an odor detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention and an operating state thereof.

[0100] The smell detection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from the smell detection apparatus according to the embodiment only in that the gas capture unit 120 includes an electrostatic filter, and the remaining components are the same as those of the smell detection apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0101] According to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the gas capture unit 120 includes a housing 121 (which is open at opposite sides thereof) and an electrostatic filter 125 installed in the housing 121 and configured to adsorb odorous gas particles.

[0102] For example, electrostatic filter 125 may be a car cabin filter.

[0103] At this time, after the odor gas particles are adsorbed on the front of the electrostatic filter 125, even if the adsorbed odor particles are desorbed therefrom, the desorbed odor particles may not pass through the electrostatic filter 125. As a result, the desorbed odor particles do not flow toward the odor sensor chamber 200.

[0104] Therefore, when the gas capture unit 120 includes the electrostatic filter 125 , the flow pipe 110 has a guide device 160 mounted thereon and configured to cause the odor gas to flow in reverse from the rear of the electrostatic filter 125 of the gas capture unit 120 to the front thereof.

[0105] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the guide device 160 may include a first guide pipe 161 and a second guide pipe 162 connected to the circulation pipe 110 , and a first switch valve 163 and a second switch valve 164 installed on the circulation pipe 110 .

[0106] One end of the first guide pipe 161 is connected to a predetermined position of the flow pipe 110 connected to the front of the gas capture unit 120 , and the other end thereof is connected to a predetermined position of the flow pipe 110 connected to the rear of the gas capture unit 120 .

[0107] One end of the second guide pipe 162 is connected to the flow pipe 110 between one end of the first guide pipe 161 and the front of the gas capture unit 120 , and the other end thereof is connected to the flow pipe 110 between the other end of the first guide pipe 161 and the outlet 102 of the front chamber 100 .

[0108] The first switch valve 163 is installed on the flow pipe 110 between one end of the first guide pipe 161 and one end of the second guide pipe 162 , and opening or closing of the first switch valve 163 is controlled by the controller 300 .

[0109] The second switch valve 164 is installed on the flow pipe 110 between the other end of the first guide pipe 161 and the other end of the second guide pipe 162 , and opening or closing of the second switch valve 164 is controlled by the controller 300 .

[0110] The following describes an odor detection method performed by an odor detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Figure 7 is a flow chart showing an odor detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] First, as described above, low-concentration odor gas having a concentration lower than a certain level is flowed into the flow pipe 110 in the front chamber 100 (S101).

[0113] In the next step, odorous gas particles are collected by the gas capture unit 120 including the electrostatic filter 125 for a predetermined time (S102).

[0114] To this end, the first switch valve 163 and the second switch valve 164 are closed under the control of the controller.

[0115] Furthermore, the first three-way valve 221 can be opened in a direction that allows the connection pipe 150 and the bypass pipe 220 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300. The second three-way valve 222 can be opened in a direction that allows the bypass pipe 220 and the discharge pipe 202 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300.

[0116] Therefore, after the low-concentration odor gas introduced into the flow pipe 110 passes through the first guide pipe 161, the low-concentration odor gas flows back from the rear of the electrostatic filter 125 of the gas capture unit 120 to the front thereof.

[0117] At this time, the gas capture unit 120 is cooled by the cooling operation of the first cooler 140 under the control of the controller 300 , whereby the odorous gas particles may be easily adsorbed to the rear of the electrostatic filter 125 of the gas capture unit 120 .

[0118] Therefore, the odorous gas particles can be adsorbed to the rear of the electrostatic filter 125, and the remaining gas components that are not adsorbed pass through the electrostatic filter 125 and flow through the second guide pipe 162. Thereafter, the remaining gas components flow toward the exhaust pipe 202 along the bypass pipe 220.

[0119] In the next step, the odorous gas particles collected in the gas capture unit 120 including the electrostatic filter 125 are desorbed after a predetermined time (S103).

[0120] To this end, the first heater 130 installed on the front chamber 100 is driven under the control of the controller 300 to desorb odorous gas particles from the electrostatic filter 125 of the gas capture unit 120 by heating the gas capture unit 120 .

[0121] Subsequently, in the next step, the odor gas particles desorbed from the electrostatic filter 125 of the gas capture unit 120 are supplied to the odor sensor chamber 200 in which the odor sensor 210 is installed (S104).

[0122] To this end, the first switch valve 163 and the second switch valve 164 may be controlled to be opened under the control of the controller. Thereafter, the first three-way valve 221 may be opened in a direction that enables the connection pipe 150 and the odor sensor chamber 200 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300. The second three-way valve 222 may be opened in a direction that enables the odor sensor chamber 200 and the discharge pipe 202 to communicate with each other under the control of the controller 300.

[0123] Further, the suction pump 250 is driven under the control of the controller 300 , and a suction force generated by the operation of the suction pump 250 is applied to the gas capture unit 120 in the front chamber 100 through the smell sensor chamber 200 and the connection pipe 150 .

[0124] Therefore, odor gas particles desorbed from the rear of the electrostatic filter 125 of the gas capture unit 120 may be supplied into the odor sensor chamber 200 without flowing to the bypass pipe 220 through the connection pipe 150 .

[0125] Next, steps S105 to S108 are sequentially performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0126] In this way, low-concentration odor gas with a concentration below a certain level is concentrated to obtain high-concentration odor gas with a concentration above a certain level, and then the high-concentration odor gas is supplied to the odor sensor to be sensed by the odor sensor. Thus, low-concentration odor gas with a concentration below a certain level can be easily detected.

[0127] For example, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect odorous gases emitted by explosives or poisonous substances with a concentration lower than a certain level. Therefore, the odor detection device of the present invention can be effectively used in various industries and inspection sites.

[0128] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.

[0129] First of all, the present invention provides an odor detection device and an odor detection method, which are configured to concentrate low-concentration odor gas with a concentration below a certain level to obtain high-concentration odor gas with a concentration above a certain level, provide the high-concentration odor gas to an odor sensor, and enable the odor sensor to sense the high-concentration odor gas.

[0130] Secondly, the odor detection device according to the present invention is installed on various vehicles, future mobile systems (such as special-purpose vehicles (PBVs) and urban air traffic (UAM) vehicles), and robots, so that the odor detection device can reliably detect odorous gases released from explosives or toxic substances with a concentration below a certain level. Therefore, the odor detection device of the present invention can be effectively used in various industries and inspection sites.

[0131] The content of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments may be modified without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An odor detection device, comprising: The front room includes: An inlet disposed at a first side of the antechamber, the inlet being configured to introduce odorous gas into the antechamber; and an outlet disposed at a second side of the antechamber, the outlet being configured to discharge the odorous gas from the antechamber; a flow tube configured to connect the inlet and the outlet; a gas capture unit mounted on the flow pipe and configured to collect odorous gas particles; a first heater mounted on the antechamber and configured to heat the gas capture unit; a first cooler mounted on the antechamber and configured to cool the gas capture unit; an odor sensor chamber connected to the outlet of the front chamber via a connecting tube; an odor sensor installed in the odor sensor chamber and configured to sense odorous gas desorbed from the gas capture unit; and A controller is configured to perform operation control on the first heater and the first cooler.

2. The odor detection device according to claim 1, further comprising: A bypass pipe comprising: A first end connected to the connecting pipe; and a second end connected to a discharge tube of the odor sensor chamber; a first three-way valve installed at a connection point between the connecting pipe and the first end of the bypass pipe and controlled by the controller; and A second three-way valve is installed at a connection point between the discharge pipe and the second end of the bypass pipe and is controlled by the controller.

3. The odor detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The antechamber further includes at least three inlets formed in the antechamber and configured to smoothly introduce low-concentration odorous gas having a concentration below a certain level into the antechamber.

4. The odor detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The discharge pipe of the odor sensor chamber is connected to a suction pump driven under the control of the controller.

5. The odor detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The odor sensor chamber includes a second heater and a second cooler mounted on the odor sensor chamber, and The second heater is configured to heat the odor sensor under the control of the controller, and the second cooler is configured to cool the odor sensor under the control of the controller.

6. The odor detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The gas capture unit comprises a shell and a porous body, and The shell is open on two opposite sides thereof, and the porous body is arranged in the shell to adsorb the odorous gas particles.

7. The odor detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The gas capture unit comprises a housing, stacked metal plates and a plurality of metal wedges, The housing is open at opposite sides thereof, the laminated metal plates are stacked within the housing, and the plurality of metal wedges are mounted between the laminated metal plates in a predetermined arrangement.

8. The odor detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The gas capture unit comprises a housing and an electrostatic filter, and wherein the housing is open at opposite sides thereof, and the electrostatic filter is disposed in the housing to adsorb the odorous gas particles, The flow pipe includes a guide device installed on the flow pipe and configured to guide the odorous gas to flow in reverse from the rear of the gas capture unit to the front of the gas capture unit.

9. The odor detection device according to claim 8, wherein: The guide device comprises a first guide tube and a second guide tube, Wherein, the first guide tube comprises: a first end connected to a predetermined position of a flow tube connected to a front portion of the gas capture unit; and a second end connected to a predetermined position of a flow pipe connected to the rear of the gas capture unit, Wherein, the second guide tube comprises: a first end connected to a flow conduit between a first end of the first guide conduit and a front portion of the gas capture unit; and a second end connected to a flow tube between the second end of the first guide tube and the outlet of the antechamber, The first switch valve is installed on the flow pipe between the first end of the first guide pipe and the first end of the second guide pipe, and is configured to be opened or closed under the control of the controller, and The second switch valve is installed on the flow pipe between the second end of the first guide pipe and the second end of the second guide pipe, and is configured to be opened or closed under the control of the controller.

10. A method for detecting an odor, comprising the following steps: Allowing low-concentration odorous gas having a concentration below a certain level to flow through a flow pipe connecting an inlet of the antechamber and an outlet of the antechamber; The gas capture unit installed on the flow pipe collects odorous gas particles within a predetermined time; desorbing the odorous gas particles collected in the gas capture unit after a predetermined period of time; supplying the odorous gas particles desorbed from the gas capture unit to an odor sensor chamber provided with an odor sensor; as well as The odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber is sensed by the odor sensor.

11. The odor detection method according to claim 10, further comprising: When the odorous gas particles are collected within the predetermined time, the first cooler is driven under the control of the controller to cool the gas capture unit so that the odorous gas particles are adsorbed onto the gas capture unit.

12. The odor detection method according to claim 10, further comprising: When the odor gas particles collected in the gas capture unit are desorbed after a predetermined time has passed, the first heater is driven under the control of the controller to desorb the odor gas particles from the gas capture unit by heating the gas capture unit.

13. The odor detection method according to claim 10, further comprising: When sensing the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber, the second cooler installed on the odor sensor chamber is driven under the control of the controller to cool the odor sensor so that the odor gas particles are adsorbed onto the surface of the odor sensor.

14. The odor detection method according to claim 10, further comprising: After sensing the odor gas introduced into the odor sensor chamber, a second heater installed on the odor sensor chamber is driven under the control of a controller to desorb the odor gas particles from the surface of the odor sensor by heating the odor sensor.

15. The odor detection method according to claim 10, wherein: If the concentration of the odor gas sensed by the odor sensor is lower than a certain level, the step of collecting the odor gas particles within the predetermined time by the gas capture unit installed on the flow pipe is repeatedly performed.

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