Odor sensor evaluation system and sensor housing

Abstract

This invention provides an odor sensor evaluation system and sensor housing that can significantly reduce the time required to evaluate odor sensors. [Solution] An evaluation system for odor sensors S that detect odor components contained in a target gas, comprising: a sensor housing 1 that holds a plurality of odor sensors arranged in an internal space and has a gas flow passage formed therein through which an evaluation gas flows so as to include the sensing surface of each odor sensor; and an information processing device that is electrically connected to the output terminals of each odor sensor held in the sensor housing and receives odor signals output from each of these odor sensors, wherein the order of each odor sensor is predetermined, and the gas flow passage is formed such that the evaluation gas introduced from its supply port 15 reaches the sensing surface of each odor sensor in the order and is discharged from its outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an odor sensor evaluation system and a sensor housing body.

Background Art

[0002] In odor sensors such as odor sensors having a sensitive film as described in the prior art document 1, for example, when there are manufacturing defects in the sensitive film for detecting odor substances, the odor analysis cannot be performed accurately, so the accuracy of identifying the odor and the accuracy of measuring the intensity of the odor decrease. Therefore, the development of an evaluation method for odor sensors that can accurately detect manufacturing defects in odor sensors is desired. When evaluating such an odor sensor, conventionally, an evaluation gas that reacts with the odor sensor is injected into a chamber filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, and the odor sensor is evaluated by confirming that the output signal from the odor sensor reaches a predetermined value.

[0003] However, in this conventional evaluation method, since it is necessary to wait for the inert gas in the chamber to be uniformly replaced with the evaluation gas, there is a problem that the evaluation of the odor sensor takes time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an odor sensor evaluation system and a sensor housing body that can significantly reduce the time required for evaluating an odor sensor while accurately detecting manufacturing defects of the odor sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the odor sensor evaluation system and sensor housing according to the present invention are as follows. [1] An evaluation system for an odor sensor that detects odor components contained in a target gas, A sensor housing that holds multiple odor sensors arranged in an internal space, and has a gas flow passage formed therein through which an evaluation gas flows so as to include the sensing surface of each odor sensor, The system includes an information processing device that is electrically connected to the output terminals of each odor sensor held in the sensor housing and receives the odor signals output from each of these odor sensors. An odor sensor evaluation system characterized in that each odor sensor has a predetermined order, and the gas flow path is formed such that the evaluation gas introduced from its supply port reaches the sensing surface of each odor sensor in the correct order and is discharged from its outlet. [2] The sensor housing has a three-layer structure consisting of a surface layer, an intermediate layer, and a back layer. The aforementioned intermediate layer has the aforementioned gas flow passage formed therein. An odor sensor evaluation system according to [1], wherein the plurality of odor sensors are mounted on both or one of the inner surfaces of the gas flow passage, specifically on the surface side and the back surface. [3] The sensor housing is formed by stacking and joining a first plate that forms the surface layer, a second plate that forms the intermediate layer, and a third plate that forms the back layer. The second plate is provided with a slit that penetrates in the thickness direction, and the gas flow passage is formed by closing the surface layer side opening and the back layer side opening of the slit by the first plate and the third plate [2], an evaluation system for odor sensors. [4] A gas seal structure is provided on the outside of the gas passage at the joint surface of each plate. [3] An odor sensor evaluation system. [5] The odor sensors are arranged in multiple rows, The gas flow passage comprises a series of flow passages formed along each row of the odor sensors, and a connecting flow passage that connects adjacent series of flow passages. An odor sensor evaluation system according to any one of the following [1] to [4], wherein one end of the row of flow passages in an odd-numbered row is connected to one end of the row of flow passages in the next even-numbered row via the connecting flow passage, and the other end of the row of flow passages in an even-numbered row is connected to the other end of the row of flow passages in the next odd-numbered row, thereby forming a single gas flow passage that does not branch along the way. [6] An evaluation system for an odor sensor according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein a relay connector is hermetically attached to the wall forming the sensor housing, with one end inside the sensor housing and the other end exposed outside the sensor housing, the output terminal of the odor sensor being detachably connected to one end of the relay connector, and the input terminal of the information processing device being detachably connected to the other end of the relay connector. [7] A sensor housing used in an odor sensor evaluation system, Multiple odor sensors are arranged and held in the internal space, and a gas flow passage is formed through which an evaluation gas flows, including the sensing surface of each odor sensor. The order of each of the aforementioned odor sensors is predetermined. The sensor housing is characterized in that the gas flow passage is formed such that the evaluation gas introduced from its supply port reaches the sensing surface of each odor sensor in order and is discharged from its outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an odor sensor evaluation method and an odor sensor evaluation apparatus that can accurately detect manufacturing defects in odor sensors while significantly reducing the time required to evaluate odor sensors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of an odor sensor evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing the structure of the sensor housing used in the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment (cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3). [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing the method and procedure for evaluating an odor sensor by the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment (viewed from the side of the first plate from the joint surface between the second plate and the third plate). [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing the structure of the second plate used in the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the structure of the sensor housing used in the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment (cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' in FIG. 3). [Figure 6] Flowchart of the odor sensor evaluation method using the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing an example of the odor sensor that is the evaluation target of the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing the structure of the second plate of the odor sensor evaluation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Schematic diagram showing the structure of the sensor housing used in the odor sensor evaluation system according to another embodiment of the present invention (a figure corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3).

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Configuration of the Odor Sensor Evaluation System According to this Embodiment> The odor sensor evaluation system 100 according to this embodiment is a system for evaluating an odor sensor S that detects an odor component contained in a measurement target gas.

[0011] In this embodiment, the odor sensor S to be evaluated (hereinafter also simply referred to as "sensor S") may be any odor sensor that can detect odor substances such as semiconductor gas sensors, odor sensors using organic polymers, and alcohol detection devices, and is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as an example of such an odor sensor S, an odor sensor provided with an odor substance receiving layer whose electrical conductivity changes when an odor substance is adsorbed can be used as a measurement target. The details of this odor sensor will be described later.

[0012] The odor sensor evaluation system 100 according to this embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, and includes a sensor housing 1 that houses an odor sensor S to be evaluated inside, and an information processing device 2 that is electrically connected to the output terminals of each odor sensor S held by the sensor housing 1 and receives the odor signals output from these sensors S respectively.

[0013] The sensor housing 1 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped formed of a material such as resin or metal that does not absorb odor components, and has a three-layer structure of a surface layer 11, an intermediate layer 12, and a back surface layer 13. In this embodiment, as an example shown in FIG. 2, an example in which the surface layer 11, the intermediate layer 12, and the back surface layer 13 are formed by three plates called a first plate 11', a second plate 12', and a third plate 13' will be described. These first plate 11', second plate 12', and third plate 13' are laminated in this order and joined to each other to form the sensor housing 1. The sensor housing 1 is not limited to the one described in this embodiment, and it is also possible to implement it in the manner described in other embodiments to be described later.

[0014] A gas flow passage 14 is formed in the intermediate layer 12 for circulating gas. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this gas flow passage 14 is formed between a supply port 15 and an outlet port 16 formed in the sensor housing 1, and is formed inside the sensor housing 1 to guide the gas supplied from the supply port 15 to the outlet port 16, and is formed to include the sensing surface Sa of the odor sensor S to be evaluated.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4, the second plate 12' forming the intermediate layer 12 is provided with a slit 12a that penetrates in the thickness direction, and the gas flow passage 14 is formed when the surface layer side opening 12b and the back layer side opening 12c of the slit 12a are closed by the first plate 11' and the third plate 13'.

[0016] In this embodiment, the region of the joint surface 11a between the first plate 11' and the second plate 12' that forms the gas flow passage 14 is called the surface layer side flow passage forming region 11b, and the region of the joint surface 13a between the second plate 12' and the third plate 13' that forms the gas flow passage 14 is called the back layer side flow passage forming region 13b.

[0017] The supply port 15 and the discharge port 16 only need to be formed so as to be able to communicate with the gas flow passage 14, and may be formed in the intermediate layer 12, or in the surface layer 11 or the back layer 13.

[0018] In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the supply port 15 is formed on the outer surface of the first plate 11', and a supply port connection channel 14c is formed inside the first plate 11', which penetrates between the outer surface of the first plate 11' and the surface layer side flow passage forming region 11b of the joining surface 11a in order to connect the supply port 15 and the gas flow passage 14.

[0019] Furthermore, the outlet 16 is formed on the outer surface of the third plate 13', and inside the third plate 13', an outlet connection channel 14d is formed, which penetrates between the outer surface of the third plate 13' and the back layer side flow passage forming region 13b in order to connect the gas flow passage 14 and the outlet 16.

[0020] In order to airtightly close the gas passage 14, it is preferable that a gas seal structure 17 is provided on the outside of the gas passage 14 at the joint surfaces 11a and 13a of the respective plates 11', 12', and 13'.

[0021] Examples of the gas seal structure 17 include an O-ring arranged on the outside of the slit 12a so as to surround its entire circumference. The gas seal structure 17 may further include a groove for positioning the O-ring, and the O-ring may be attached to the groove formed in the second plate 12', or it may be attached to the groove formed in the joint surface 11a between the first plate 11' and the second plate 12' and / or the joint surface 13a between the second plate 12' and the third plate 13'.

[0022] In this embodiment, multiple odor sensors S are mounted on the surface layer-side flow passage forming region 11b of the joint surface 11a and the back layer-side flow passage forming region 13b of the joint surface 13a, which are part of the wall surface forming the gas flow passage 14.

[0023] To minimize the effort required to evaluate odor sensors, it is preferable to arrange as many odor sensors S as possible inside a single sensor housing 1. In this case, arranging multiple rows of odor sensors S inside a single sensor housing 1 is preferable because it allows for the evaluation of more odor sensors S at once while maintaining a shape and size that is easy to handle. Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 3, a case will be described in which multiple rows of odor sensors S are arranged inside a single sensor housing 1, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the sensor housing 1.

[0024] In this embodiment, a single, unbranched gas flow passage 14 is formed inside one of the sensor housings 1. Therefore, as described above, when multiple odor sensors S are arranged in rows inside one of the sensor housings 1, the gas flow passage 14 is formed to meander inside the sensor housing 1 so that the sensing surfaces Sa of all of these odor sensors S are included inside the gas flow passage 14.

[0025] In this case, the gas flow passage 14 comprises, for example, a series of flow passages 14a formed along each row of the odor sensors S, and a connecting flow passage 14b that connects adjacent series of flow passages 14a.

[0026] Furthermore, one end of the odd-numbered rows of the gas flow passage 14a is connected to one end of the next even-numbered row of the gas flow passage 14a via the connecting flow passage 14b, and the other end of the even-numbered row of the gas flow passage 14a is connected to the other end of the next odd-numbered row of the gas flow passage 14a, thus forming a single gas flow passage that does not branch along its course.

[0027] The sensing surfaces Sa of the odor sensor S are preferably arranged in a line along the gas flow passage 14 formed in this manner, at a predetermined pitch, more preferably at a constant pitch. The gas flow passage 14 is preferably as narrow as possible and can contain the sensing surfaces Sa of the odor sensor S within it. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow passage 14 does not change substantially throughout its entirety. The cross-sectional shape of the gas flow passage 14 is not limited to that specifically described herein, and it goes without saying that the effects of the present invention can be fully obtained even with other shapes and sizes. However, it is more preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the gas flow passage 14 is substantially rectangular, with the sensing surface Sa of the odor sensor S constituting at least one of its long sides, and that its cross-sectional area is as small as possible. For example, the length of the long side is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less. The length of the short piece is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a relay connector 18 is hermetically attached to the first plate 11' and the third plate 13', which are walls forming the sensor housing 1, with one end of the connector exposed inside the gas flow passage 14 of the sensor housing 1 and the other end exposed outside the sensor housing 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, for example, the relay connector 18 is provided at the location where the odor sensor S is attached, in the flow passage forming region 11b on the surface layer side of the first plate 11' and the flow passage forming region 13b on the back layer side of the third plate 13', so as to penetrate the first plate 11' or the third plate 13' in the thickness direction.

[0030] The output terminal Sb of the odor sensor S is detachably connected to one end of the relay connector 18, and the input terminal (not shown) of the information processing device 2 is detachably connected to the other end of the relay connector 18.

[0031] One end of the relay connector 18 has a recess 18a that engages with, for example, the output terminal Sb of the odor sensor S, and the other end has a protrusion 18b that engages with the input terminal of the information processing device 2. The recess 18a and the protrusion 18b are electrically connected to each other, and by inserting the output terminal Sb of the odor sensor S into the recess 18a of the relay connector 18 and inserting the protrusion 18b into the input terminal of the information processing device 2, the odor sensor S and the information processing device 2 can be electrically connected to each other while maintaining airtightness inside the gas flow passage 14.

[0032] The information processing device 2 receives a signal value output from the odor sensor S located inside the sensor housing 1, and evaluates the performance of the odor sensor S based on this signal value and the gas flow status in the gas flow passage 14 of the sensor housing 1 at the time each signal value was obtained.

[0033] The information processing device 2 is physically a general-purpose computer COM comprising one or more general-purpose computer COMs having analog electrical circuits with buffers, amplifiers, etc., digital electrical circuits with a CPU, memory, DSP, etc., and A / D converters etc. interposed between them. This computer COM is configured to perform its functions through the cooperation of the CPU and its peripheral devices according to a predetermined program stored in memory.

[0034] The odor sensor evaluation system 100 according to this embodiment further includes a gas supply mechanism 3 that supplies gas to the gas flow passage 14.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, for example, this gas supply mechanism 3 includes an evaluation gas supply channel 31 connecting the gas flow passage 14 and a plurality of evaluation gas supply sources G1, a flow rate control mechanism 32 for controlling the flow rate of gas flowing through the evaluation gas supply channel 31, a discharge channel 35 for discharging gas to the outside of the gas flow passage 14 from an outlet 16, and a valve 36 provided on the discharge channel 35. The flow rate control mechanism 32 includes, for example, a valve 321 provided on the evaluation gas supply channel 31 and a flow rate control unit 322 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve 321. As the evaluation gas supply source G1, for example, a gas bag or a gas cylinder can be used.

[0036] The flow control unit 322 may be configured to perform its function through the cooperation of the CPU and its peripheral devices according to a predetermined program stored in memory by the aforementioned computer COM. This flow control unit 322 may also control the valve 36 on the aforementioned discharge channel 35.

[0037] As mentioned above, the evaluation gas is not particularly limited as long as it reacts with the odor sensor S being evaluated. However, it is preferable that the evaluation gas has one or more functional groups from among hydroxyl groups, hydrocarbon groups and ester groups, carboxyl groups, ketone groups, aldehyde groups, ether groups and amino groups, etc., and is more preferably ethanol, heptane, ethyl acetate, etc. It is preferable to use two or more gases selected from the gases mentioned above as evaluation gases, and more preferably two or more gases with different solubility parameters (SP values) or octanol / water partition coefficients (logPow). This is because using two or more evaluation gases allows for more accurate evaluation of the odor sensor. The difference in SP values ​​is preferably between 1 and 17. The difference in logPow values ​​is preferably between 0.1 and 5. These evaluation gases may be supplied to the gas flow path simultaneously, or they may be supplied to the gas supply path at different timings, for example, by supplying them to the gas flow path in different measurement processes.

[0038] In this specification, the SP value is expressed as the square root of the ratio of the cohesive energy density to the molecular volume, as shown below. SP value = (△E / V)¹ / ²

[0039] Here, △E represents the cohesive energy density and V represents the molecular volume. These values ​​are based on calculations by Robert F. Fedors et al., and are described, for example, in Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 14, pp. 147-154. Furthermore, the octanol / water partition coefficient (logPow) can be determined by the flask shaking method described in JIS Z7260-107 (2000). This coefficient is expressed as the common logarithm of the concentrations of each phase, assuming that the substance in question is in equilibrium in a system where the octanol phase and the aqueous phase are in contact, and serves as an indicator of the hydrophobicity of the substance. A larger coefficient indicates greater hydrophobicity.

[0040] In addition to the evaluation gases mentioned above, the gas supply mechanism 3 supplies, for example, an inert gas that does not trigger a reaction in the odor sensor S to the gas flow passage 14. The mechanism includes an inert gas supply channel 33 connecting the gas flow passage 14 to the inert gas supply source G2, and a flow rate control mechanism 34 that controls the flow rate of the gas flowing through the inert gas supply channel 33. The flow rate control mechanism 34 includes, for example, a valve 341 provided on the inert gas supply channel 33 and a flow rate control unit 342 that controls the opening and closing of the valve 341. The flow rate control unit 342 may be the same as the one described in the section on evaluation gases.

[0041] As mentioned above, the inert gas can be any gas that does not cause a reaction to the odor sensor S, which is the object of measurement, and is not particularly limited, but examples include nitrogen gas.

[0042] <Sensor evaluation method using the odor sensor evaluation system according to this embodiment> A method for evaluating the odor sensor S using the sensor evaluation system 100 configured in this way includes, for example, as shown in Figure 6, a placement step S1 in which the odor sensor S is placed within the gas flow passage 14 of the sensor housing 1 such that the sensing surface Sa of the odor sensor S is included; an inert gas supply step S2 in which an inert gas is supplied to the gas flow passage 14 in which the odor sensor S is placed; an evaluation gas supply step S3 in which an evaluation gas is supplied to the gas flow passage 14; and an evaluation step S4 in which the odor sensor S is evaluated based on the signal value output from the odor sensor S.

[0043] The evaluation method for the odor sensor according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below. First, multiple odor sensors S are attached to the multiple relay connectors 18 provided on the first plate 11' and the third plate 13'. Then, the second plate 12' is sandwiched between the first plate 11' and the third plate 13' so that the sides of the first plate 11' and the third plate 13' on which the odor sensors S are attached are facing inward, and these plates are joined together to form a gas flow passage 14, and the odor sensors S are placed within the gas flow passage 14 (placement step S1).

[0044] Subsequently, the gas supply mechanism 3 opens valve 341 located on the inert gas supply channel 33 and valve 36 located on the discharge channel 35 to supply inert gas to the gas flow passage 14, and the information processing device 2 begins to acquire signal values ​​from each odor sensor S continuously or intermittently. The process of supplying inert gas to the gas flow passage 14 is defined as the inert gas supply process S2. After the gas flow passage 14 has been completely replaced with inert gas, the gas supply mechanism 3 closes valve 341 located on the inert gas supply channel 33 and valve 36 located on the discharge channel 35 to stop supplying inert gas, thereby ending the inert gas supply process.

[0045] Following the inert gas supply process S2, the gas supply mechanism 3 opens valve 321 on the evaluation gas supply channel 31 and valve 36 on the discharge channel 35 to supply evaluation gas into the gas flow passage 14. The process of supplying evaluation gas to the gas flow passage 14 is defined as the evaluation gas supply process S3. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the evaluation gas has been supplied to the gas flow passage 14 and reached the sensing surfaces Sa of all odor sensors S to be evaluated, the information processing device 2 finishes acquiring signal values ​​from the odor sensors S, and the gas supply mechanism 3 stops supplying evaluation gas by closing valve 321 on the evaluation gas supply channel 31 and valve 36 on the discharge channel 35, thus ending the evaluation gas supply process S3.

[0046] The information processing device 2 evaluates each odor sensor S based on the time-dependent changes in the output values ​​from each odor sensor S, which are acquired continuously or intermittently during the inert gas supply process S2 and the evaluation gas supply process S3 described above (evaluation process S4).

[0047] Specifically, the information processing device 2 calculates the difference between the signal value from the odor sensor S in the inert gas supply process S2 and the signal value from the odor sensor S in the evaluation gas supply process S3, based on the data for one odor sensor S. If the calculated difference falls within a predetermined numerical range, the information processing device 2 determines that the odor sensor S meets the predetermined performance requirements. The information processing device 2 may also acquire output values ​​from, for example, a thermometer, hygrometer, pressure gauge, etc., placed inside the gas flow passage 14, and appropriately correct the signal value from the odor sensor S based on the information obtained from these devices.

[0048] In this embodiment, as described above, the gas flow passage 14 is a single, unbranched flow path, and the sensing surfaces Sa of each odor sensor S are arranged in a line along this gas flow passage 14 at a predetermined pitch. Therefore, the inert gas or evaluation gas introduced into the gas flow passage 14 flows through the gas flow passage 14 at a constant speed and reaches the sensing surfaces Sa of the multiple odor sensors S in order, starting with the odor sensor S closest to the supply port 15. In other words, the order of each odor sensor S is predetermined, and the inert gas or evaluation gas introduced into the gas flow passage 14 reaches the sensing surface Sa of each odor sensor S in that predetermined order. Therefore, the information processing device 2 can calculate the arrival time of the inert gas or evaluation gas to each odor sensor based on the distance from the supply port 15 to each odor sensor S and the flow velocity of the gas in the gas flow passage 14. Based on this arrival time, the timing for calculating the difference in output signals of each odor sensor S can be determined at an appropriate time, thereby accurately evaluating the response of each odor sensor S to odor substances. In evaluation step S4, it is not necessary to obtain the output values ​​for all odor sensors S before performing the evaluation; evaluation can be performed sequentially starting with the odor sensor S closest to the supply port as soon as the output values ​​necessary for evaluation are obtained for each sensor. The gas flow velocity in the gas flow passage 14 may be calculated by the information processing device 2 based on the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow passage 14 and the flow rate of gas supplied to the gas flow passage 14, or it may be obtained by other methods.

[0049] <Odor Sensor> Here, the odor sensor S evaluated in this embodiment is an odor sensor comprising, for example, a sensor substrate 4, an odor substance receiving layer 5 formed on the sensor substrate 4, and metal wiring 6 for electrically connecting the odor substance receiving layer 5 to, for example, a voltmeter (not shown) that detects the potential change of the odor substance receiving layer 5 as a signal value, as shown in Figure 7.

[0050] [substrate] As the sensor substrate 4, a wide range of materials commonly used in electronic circuits can be used. Specifically, a substrate made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of glass epoxy, paper, and glass cloth can be used.

[0051] [Odor receptor layer] The odor substance receiving layer 5 preferably contains a resin composition in which the electrical conductivity when odor substance a is adsorbed is different from the electrical conductivity when odor substance b, which is a different substance from odor substance a, is adsorbed.

[0052] This resin composition includes, for example, a resin (A) and a conductive carbon material (B).

[0053] (Resin (A)) The resin (A) contained in the resin composition according to one embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it contains one or more selected from the group consisting of urethane resin, polyalkylene oxide, acrylic resin, fluorine group-containing resin, vinyl polymerization resin, silicone resin, polyamide resin and polyester resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, phenylene oxide and polyimide.

[0054] (Conductive carbon material (B)) The conductive carbon material (B) is, for example, a carbon material with a volume resistivity of 0.1 Ω·cm or less. This conductive carbon material (B) is dispersed in the resin composition, and the conductive carbon material (B) particles come into contact with each other to form conductive paths, thereby imparting conductivity to the resin composition.

[0055] Specific examples of conductive carbon materials (B) include carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0056] The conductive carbon material (B) is preferably fibrous or spherical in shape.

[0057] When the conductive carbon material (B) is fibrous, the fiber diameter is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. Furthermore, when the conductive carbon material (B) is fibrous, the fiber length is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

[0058] When the conductive carbon material (B) is spherical, the primary particle diameter is preferably 10 nm to 200 nm, and more preferably 20 nm to 150 nm. It is even more preferable that the primary particle diameter be 100 nm or less, as this can further improve conductivity and sensor sensitivity in the resin composition.

[0059] The primary particle size of conductive carbon material (B) can be determined, for example, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size can be measured by observing it and performing image analysis using an image processing device (for example, a Keyence VHX-700F digital microscope). The primary particle size of the conductive carbon material (B) can also be determined by other known methods. Furthermore, if the conductive carbon material (B) is a known or commercially available product, the primary particle size may be a literature value or a catalog value.

[0060] The content of the conductive carbon material (B) is preferably 5% to 70% by weight relative to 100% by weight of the total of the resin (A) and the conductive carbon material (B), from the viewpoint of the sensor element formed from the resin composition exhibiting sufficient conductivity as an odor sensor and the odor sensor S exhibiting sufficient sensitivity.

[0061] The resin composition may further contain other components besides the aforementioned resin (A) and conductive carbon material (B), to the extent that the effects of the present invention are obtained. These other components can be suitably used to the extent that both the effects of the present invention and the effects of the other components are obtained. Examples of these other components include surfactants. When a surfactant is included, the type of surfactant is not particularly limited, and various types can be used.

[0062] [Metal wiring] The metal wiring 6 is arranged in contact with the odor substance receiving layer 5 described above, and for example, comprises a first metal wiring and a second metal wiring.

[0063] These first and second metal wirings are preferably made of copper or gold, and it is preferable that their cross-sectional shape is flattened.

[0064] The width of the first and second metal wirings, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface, is preferably 10 μm or more and 2 mm or less, and more preferably 10 μm or more and 1 mm or less. Furthermore, the height, i.e., thickness, of the first and second metal wirings, as viewed from a direction parallel to the substrate surface, is preferably 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and more preferably 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

[0065] It is preferable that these first and second metal wirings are not in direct contact with each other and are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

[0066] As mentioned above, the distance between the first and second metal wirings, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, is preferably 1 μm or more and 3 mm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

[0067] The distance between the first and second metal wirings is preferably less than or equal to a predetermined distance (e.g., 500 μm) when the electrical conductivity of the odor substance receiving layer 5 (i.e., the electrical conductivity of the odor sensor S) is low.

[0068] The length of the portion of the first metal wiring and the second metal wiring that is in contact with the odor substance receiving layer is preferably 100 μm or more and 50 mm or less, and more preferably 500 μm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0069] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the odor sensor evaluation system 100 and sensor evaluation method of this embodiment, since the evaluation gas can be supplied in the same order to the odor sensors S arranged in a predetermined order within the gas flow passage 14, there is no need to wait until the entire chamber is replaced with the evaluation gas, as in the conventional method, and the performance of the odor sensors S can be evaluated sequentially, starting from the odor sensor S closest to the supply port 15. As a result, the odor sensors S can be evaluated more accurately and in a shorter time than in the conventional method.

[0070] Because the gas passage formed inside the sensor housing 1 is made as narrow as possible, the amount of inert gas and evaluation gas used to evaluate the odor sensor S can be reduced as much as possible.

[0071] Since the sensor housing 1 consists of a first plate 11', a second plate 12', and a third plate 13', for example, by using a second plate 12' with various shapes of slits, including the shape shown in Figure 8, the length and shape of the gas flow passage 14 formed inside the sensor housing 1 can be easily changed according to the type and number of odor sensors S to be evaluated and the purpose of the evaluation.

[0072] Furthermore, by providing multiple types of first plate 11' and third plate 13' with different arrangements and numbers of relay connectors for mounting odor sensors S, it is possible to use these first to third plates 11', 12', and 13' in various combinations depending on the type and number of odor sensors S to be evaluated and the purpose of the evaluation.

[0073] Since the information processing device 2 acquires the signal values ​​output from the odor sensor S over time throughout the entire measurement process and evaluates the performance of the odor sensor S based on the changes in the signal values ​​over time, it is possible to evaluate the sensor performance in more detail than when the evaluation is based only on the output values ​​when the evaluation gas is supplied.

[0074] <Other embodiments of the present invention> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the embodiment described above, the sensor housing was described as consisting of three walls: a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, it may consist of two walls: a wall on the surface layer side (surface layer side plate) and a wall on the back layer side (back layer side plate). In this case, one or more of the surface layer side plate and the back layer side plate may have recesses or protrusions formed therein for forming the gas flow passages described above.

[0075] As shown in Figure 9, the odor sensor S to be evaluated may be mounted on only one of the two surfaces of the wall forming the gas passage: the surface on the front layer side and the surface on the back layer side.

[0076] The gas seal structure is not limited to those described above. As mentioned above, if the sensor housing consists of three plates, for example, a projection formed on the surface of the first plate and / or the third plate that joins with the second plate, so as to surround the outer edge of the slit, can be mentioned.

[0077] In another embodiment, the gas flow passage may consist of only one parallel flow passage and may not have a connecting flow passage.

[0078] A single three-way valve may perform the functions of both a valve on the inert gas supply channel and a valve on the evaluation gas supply channel, or the inert gas and evaluation gas may be continuously supplied alternately into the gas flow passage. In this case, the discharge channel and the valve 36 provided on this discharge channel may be omitted, and if the gas flow passage needs to be hermetically sealed, the user may manually cap the discharge port. Furthermore, some or all of the aforementioned embodiments and modified embodiments may be combined as appropriate, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100... Odor Sensor Evaluation System 1. Sensor housing 11 ···Surface layer (first plate) 12 ···Mesozoan layer (Plate 2) 13 ···Back layer (Third plate) 12a...Slit 14...Gas flow channels 14a... Alongside flow path 14b... Connecting flow path 15 ···Supply port 16 ···Outlet 11a, 13a...joint surface 17. Gas seal structure 18... Relay connector 2 ···Information Processing Device S... Odor sensor

Claims

1. An evaluation system for odor sensors that detect odor components contained in a target gas, A sensor housing that holds multiple odor sensors arranged in an internal space, and has a gas flow passage formed therein through which an evaluation gas flows so as to include the sensing surface of each odor sensor, The system includes an information processing device that is electrically connected to the output terminals of each odor sensor held in the sensor housing and receives the odor signals output from each of these odor sensors. An odor sensor evaluation system characterized in that each odor sensor has a predetermined order, and the gas flow path is formed such that the evaluation gas introduced from its supply port reaches the sensing surface of each odor sensor in the correct order and is discharged from its outlet.

2. The sensor housing has a three-layer structure consisting of a surface layer, an intermediate layer, and a back layer. The aforementioned intermediate layer has the aforementioned gas flow passage formed therein. The odor sensor evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of odor sensors are mounted on both or one of the inner surfaces of the gas flow passage, specifically on the surface side and the back surface.

3. The sensor housing is formed by stacking and joining a first plate that forms the surface layer, a second plate that forms the intermediate layer, and a third plate that forms the back layer. The odor sensor evaluation system according to claim 2, wherein the second plate is provided with a slit that penetrates in the thickness direction, and the gas flow passage is formed by closing the surface layer side opening and the back layer side opening of the slit by the first plate and the third plate.

4. An odor sensor evaluation system according to claim 3, wherein a gas seal structure is provided on the outside of the gas flow passage at the joint surface of each of the plates.

5. The odor sensors are arranged in multiple rows, The gas flow passage comprises a series of flow passages formed along each row of the odor sensors, and a connecting flow passage that connects adjacent series of flow passages. An odor sensor evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein one end of the row of flow passages in an odd-numbered row is connected to one end of the row of flow passages in the next even-numbered row via the connecting flow passage, and the other end of the row of flow passages in an even-numbered row is connected to the other end of the row of flow passages in the next odd-numbered row, thereby forming a single gas flow passage that does not branch along the way.

6. An odor sensor evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein a relay connector is hermetically attached to the wall forming the sensor housing, with one end inside the sensor housing and the other end exposed outside the sensor housing, the output terminal of the odor sensor is detachably connected to one end of the relay connector, and the input terminal of the information processing device is detachably connected to the other end of the relay connector.

7. A sensor housing used in an odor sensor evaluation system, Multiple odor sensors are arranged and held in the internal space, and a gas flow passage is formed through which an evaluation gas flows, including the sensing surface of each odor sensor. The order of each of the aforementioned odor sensors is predetermined. The sensor housing is characterized in that the gas flow passage is formed such that the evaluation gas introduced from its supply port reaches the sensing surface of each odor sensor in order and is discharged from its outlet.

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