Integrated Breath Alcohol Sensor With Air Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional alcohol sensors have limitations in measuring the amount of blown air and suffer from low measurement efficiency due to their large size and inability to handle insufficient air intake, leading to inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
An air blowing method-based alcohol sensor integrating an alcohol measurement module and an air pressure measurement module with an MCU processor, which includes a housing with specific accommodating cavities and channels for air flow management, ensuring real-time monitoring of air pressure and notifying users of insufficient air intake, while maintaining compact size and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional alcohol sensor is designed to meet signal requirements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device volume increases and measurement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alcohol measurement module and air pressure measurement module into a single integrated sensor device. The alcohol measurement module includes a solid electrolyte membrane and catalyst wires, while the air pressure measurement module monitors air intake in real-time. This merging allows the device to simultaneously measure alcohol concentration and verify sufficient air intake, improving both accuracy and efficiency without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor serves multiple functions: it measures alcohol concentration through the alcohol measurement module, monitors air intake volume through the air pressure measurement module, and provides user feedback through the display module. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air intake verification devices, thereby improving measurement efficiency while maintaining accurate alcohol detection.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional alcohol sensor is designed to meet signal requirements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the air pressure measurement module is positioned within the housing, and the alcohol measurement module components (solid electrolyte membrane, catalyst wires) are arranged in a compact configuration. The display module is integrated into the housing structure. This nesting approach allows multiple functional modules to coexist in a small volume while maintaining their individual performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to pack the measurement modules efficiently. The solid electrolyte membrane is positioned vertically with catalyst wires arranged at specific heights, creating a compact vertical stacking configuration. This dimensional optimization reduces the horizontal footprint of the sensor while maintaining sufficient space for all measurement components.
3Device complexity
If the alcohol sensor cannot detect air intake amount, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability decreases due to insufficient air intake
Solution Approach 1:
The air pressure measurement module continuously monitors air intake during the measurement process and provides real-time feedback. When insufficient air intake is detected, the system triggers a prompt through the display module to inform the user to blow more air. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable measurement by verifying sufficient air intake without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same housing and display are utilized.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor performs self-verification of air intake sufficiency through the air pressure measurement module. The system automatically determines whether adequate air has been blown and prompts the user accordingly, eliminating the need for external verification devices or complex manual procedures. This self-service capability enhances measurement reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
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
The integrated design allows real-time detection of insufficient air intake, ensuring accurate alcohol concentration measurements by notifying users to re-blow, thereby enhancing measurement efficiency and reducing sensor size for applications in smart devices.
Implementation Method 1
an alcohol measurement module, a first catalyst wire arranged at a top surface of the first solid electrolyte membrane and electrically connected to the MCU processor, and a second catalyst wire arranged at a bottom surface of the first solid electrolyte membrane and electrically connected to the MCU processor
Implementation Method 2
The alcohol measurement module transmits a concentration signal thereof to the MCU processor by means of a sampling and amplification circuit module
Implementation Method 3
an air pressure measurement module... implement transmission of an air pressure signal
Implementation Method 4
a breathable film arranged at the top of the accommodating cavity, wherein an external air passes through the breathable film to react with the first solid electrolyte membrane, the first catalyst wire and the second catalyst wire
Data Source
AI summary
An air blowing method-based alcohol sensor and a smart device. The alcohol sensor comprises an alcohol measurement module, an air pressure measurement module, an MCU processor, a circuit substrate, and a housing coveringly arranged on the circuit substrate; the alcohol measurement module transmits a concentration signal thereof to the MCU processor by means of a sampling and amplification circuit module, the air pressure measurement module and the MCU processor are mutually connected and implement transmission of an air pressure signal, and the MCU processor, after performing processing on the concentration signal and the air pressure signal, outputs an alcohol concentration value. The alcohol measurement module and the air pressure measurement module are integrated within the housing.