Exhalation Measurement Device Reference Gas Generator Adsorbent Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exhalation measurement devices face challenges in stably detecting small amounts of specific gases like nitrogen monoxide with high accuracy due to environmental factors, such as ethyl alcohol, which can degrade the adsorbent used in reference gas generators.
Innovation Solution
An exhalation measurement device is designed with a reference gas generator that includes a filter with an adsorbent protected by a supply tube, which reduces exposure to degrading substances, maintaining the adsorbent's effectiveness and allowing for stable and accurate gas detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adsorbent in the reference gas generator is exposed to environmental substances like ethyl alcohol, then the device can operate in various environments, but the adsorbent effectiveness degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The reference gas generator is divided into two functional sections: a first filter section containing adsorbent for removing specific gas from exhalation, and a second filter section containing adsorbent for removing specific gas from reference gas. This segmentation allows each filter to be optimized for its specific function and protects the reference gas filter from environmental contaminants that would otherwise degrade it.
Solution Approach 2:
A supply tube is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the second filter section. This supply tube delivers reference gas to the second filter while protecting the adsorbent in the second filter from direct exposure to environmental substances like ethyl alcohol, thereby maintaining adsorbent effectiveness over time.
2Measurement precision
If the adsorbent is protected from environmental substances, then detection accuracy is maintained, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into two distinct filter sections, each with its own adsorbent material optimized for specific gas removal. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each filter's protective measures without unnecessarily complicating the entire system, as each section addresses specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply tube serves as a simple intermediary structure that protects the second filter from environmental contaminants. This straightforward protective mechanism maintains measurement precision by ensuring reference gas purity without introducing complex protective systems, achieving protection through a simple structural addition.
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 device effectively stabilizes the detection of specific gases by minimizing the impact of environmental degradants, ensuring high accuracy and prolonged measurement capability.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter that removes a specific gas from exhalation
Implementation Method 2
a second filter that removes a specific gas from reference gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An exhalation measurement device includes: a chamber to retain exhalation; a reference gas generator 17 to generate a reference gas; a measurement device 12 to measure concentrations of exhalation being retained in the chamber and a specific gas within the reference gas; a gas transporter 18 including a pump 11 to selectively transport the exhalation being retained in the chamber and the reference gas generated by the reference gas generator to the measurement device; and a control circuit 50 to control an operation of the gas transporter. The reference gas generator 17 includes: a case 19 having an intake port and an exhaust port, and an aeration path connecting the intake port and the exhaust port; a first filter 23 having a first aperture and a second aperture respectively on the intake port side and the exhaust port side in the aeration path within the case 19, the first filter 23 being disposed i-n the aeration path to adsorb the specific gas; and a supply tube 29 having a third aperture and a fourth aperture, the fourth aperture being connected to the intake port of the case. A distance from the third aperture of the supply tube to the first aperture of the first filter is longer than a distance between the first aperture and the second aperture of the first filter.