Electronic device having a structure with gas sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a gas sensor into electronic devices poses challenges due to the need for holes in the external housing, which compromises water resistance, and existing solutions require additional holes for the gas sensor, microphone, and receiver, leading to design inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a shared hole for both the gas sensor and other components like the microphone or receiver, allowing for fluidic communication with the external environment without adding extra holes to the housing, thereby enhancing water resistance and simplifying the design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate hole is added for the gas sensor, then the gas sensor can detect external air, but the water resistance of the housing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sensor detection capabilityVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the gas sensor hole with the microphone hole into a single opening in the housing. The gas sensor and microphone share the same external opening, allowing both components to access external air without requiring separate holes, thereby maintaining water resistance while enabling gas detection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single opening in the housing serves multiple functions: it allows external air to reach both the gas sensor for air quality detection and the microphone for sound capture. This multi-functional opening eliminates the need for separate dedicated holes for each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If additional holes are added for gas sensor, microphone, and receiver, then each component can function independently, but the housing design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent functionalityVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the openings for the gas sensor, microphone, and receiver into a single integrated opening in the housing. This consolidation reduces the number of separate holes required, simplifying the housing structure while still allowing all three components to access external air independently through the shared opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for the implementation of a gas sensor within electronic devices without compromising water resistance, as the shared hole facilitates both air sampling and sound transmission, improving the device's overall design and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a gas sensor configured to sense the specific gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas sensing:

Implementation Method 2

having a gas hole communicated with the hole, and having its inner surface facing the gas hole formed as an inclined surface such that the introduced air reaches the gas sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidic communication:

Data Source

PatentEP3496375B1Electronic device having a structure with gas sensor
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3496375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3496375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3496375B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing having a hole formed therein, an audio device inside the housing and communicating with an outside of the electronic device through the hole, a gas sensor inside the housing and communicating with the outside through the hole, a proximity sensor inside the housing, a wireless communication module inside the housing, and a processor inside the housing. The processor is configured to acquire data associated with air outside the electronic device by using the gas sensor, to recognize a user gesture of starting a proximity call by using the proximity sensor, and to calculate air quality of the outside air based on at least one of data acquired by the gas sensor before the proximity call starting gesture is recognized and data acquired by the gas sensor after a gesture of ending the proximity call is recognized. Other various embodiments are possible.