Air Quality Sensor with Removable Blocking Member for Lens Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air condition measurement apparatuses face issues with foreign substances adhering to lenses, requiring frequent cleaning and potential misalignment of optical axes, and have an inconvenient design due to the need for an opening for cleaning equipment.
Innovation Solution
An air condition measurement apparatus with a blocking member that prevents foreign substances from adhering to lenses and includes a vibration unit to remove substances, eliminating the need for separate cleaning and optical axis realignment, and a fan to control air flow, all while maintaining a better design without a housing opening for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning equipment is inserted through an opening in the housing to remove foreign substances from lenses, then foreign substances can be removed, but the design quality is degraded and the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is extracted as a separate, removable component from the housing structure. It can be easily removed through the air inlet opening without disassembling the housing, allowing users to clean foreign substances from the blocking member surface and then reinsert it to block the opening, thus solving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and housing structure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element that can be independently removed and cleaned. Instead of cleaning lenses directly through the housing opening, the blocking member serves as a mediator that blocks the opening when installed and can be easily extracted for cleaning purposes, maintaining housing integrity while enabling maintenance
2Ease of operation
If users directly clean lenses to remove foreign substances, then foreign substances can be removed, but optical axis misalignment may occur degrading measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed as a separate, removable component that can be easily extracted from the housing through the air inlet opening. Users can clean foreign substances from the blocking member surface without touching or adjusting the optical components (lenses), thereby preventing optical axis misalignment while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is segmented into two independent parts: the blocking member that collects foreign substances and the lenses that perform measurement. By cleaning only the blocking member and leaving the lenses undisturbed, the system maintains optical alignment while enabling effective foreign substance removal
3Ease of operation
If an opening is provided in the housing for cleaning equipment insertion, then foreign substances can be removed, but the design quality and appearance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet opening serves multiple functions: it allows air to enter the housing for measurement purposes and also provides access for removing and cleaning the blocking member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning openings, maintaining housing design quality while enabling easy maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is designed to be easily extracted through the existing air inlet opening without requiring any additional openings in the housing. This maintains the housing's original design integrity and appearance while providing convenient access for cleaning the blocking member surface
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the reliability of foreign substance measurement, simplifies maintenance, and improves the design by preventing foreign substance adherence and misalignment, while allowing for convenient removal of substances without compromising the apparatus's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting unit positioned inside the housing, including a first lens, and configured to radiate light onto air introduced into the housing; a light-receiving unit positioned inside the housing, including a second lens, and configured to receive reflected light obtained by reflection of the light radiated from the light-emitting unit by foreign substances contained in the air
Implementation Method 2
a vibration unit arranged on one side of the blocking member and configured to generate vibrations so as to remove foreign substances attached to the blocking member
Data Source
AI summary
The air condition measurement apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a housing comprising a first space and a second space therein; a light-emitting unit which is positioned inside the housing, comprises a first lens, and radiates light to air flowing into the housing; a light-receiving unit which is positioned inside the housing, comprises a second lens, and receives reflected light formed from the reflection of the radiated light, radiated from the light-emitting unit, by foreign substances included in the air; a blocking member which transmits the radiated light or the reflected light and separates the first space, in which the light-emitting unit or the light-receiving unit is disposed, from the second space; and a control unit, wherein the control unit may be configured to measure the condition of air on the basis of a signal corresponding to the reflected light received by the light-receiving unit. Other various embodiments may be possible.