Fine Dust Detection Using Low-Power Laser and Semi-Transparent Cell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust measurement methods, such as weight concentration and Lidar, face challenges in real-time monitoring and high manufacturing costs, making them inefficient for continuous fine dust particle analysis.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing low-power laser light with three laser generators and receivers, combined with a semi-transparent cell and progressively decreasing potential energy and sine wave, to separate and analyze fine dust particles by size, shape, distribution, and amount in real-time, while maintaining a low manufacturing cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If weight concentration measurement methods are used to measure fine dust, then the mass of collected particles can be obtained, but real-time measurement is impossible and additional operation processes are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle concentration measurementVSAvoidreal-time measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical filtration and weighing system with an optical measurement system using laser light transmission. Instead of collecting particles on a filter and measuring mass, the system uses laser beams passing through the air sample to detect particle concentration through light absorption and scattering, enabling real-time measurement without mechanical collection processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces laser light as an intermediary to measure particle concentration. The laser beam acts as a mediator that interacts with fine dust particles in the air, and the changes in light properties (absorption, scattering) provide information about particle concentration, enabling non-contact real-time measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If Lidar is used for relative concentration measurement, then the shape and concentration of fine particles can be determined, but the equipment cost is very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefine particle concentration and shape determinationVSAvoidequipment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive Lidar equipment with low-power laser diodes that are inexpensive and commercially available. Instead of using high-power lasers required for atmospheric Lidar, the system uses low-power lasers suitable for indoor air quality monitoring, dramatically reducing equipment cost while maintaining measurement capability for particle concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters from atmospheric-scale Lidar measurements to indoor air quality measurements. By adjusting laser power to low levels and designing a compact measurement chamber, the system adapts the light transmission principle for cost-effective indoor use rather than expensive outdoor atmospheric monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple laser beams are used to analyze fine dust particles, then comprehensive particle analysis can be achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle movement speeds, shapes, distribution, sizes, and amountVSAvoidnumber of laser generators and light receivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the laser transmission measurement system to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously. The same basic components (laser source, transmission path, light receiver) are used to measure particle concentration, size distribution, and movement characteristics by analyzing different aspects of light interaction with particles, reducing the need for separate specialized devices for each measurement type.

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

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

Enables real-time monitoring of fine dust particle movement speeds, shapes, distribution, sizes, and amount with reduced costs, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by using low-power laser technology and innovative signal processing.

Implementation Method 1

an absorption intensity signal varying according to the distribution of fine dust particles is input from the semi-transparent cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the laser beams are received by light receivers at positions on the inner sidewall of the main body facing the laser generators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a chamber configured to allow potential energy having progressively decreasing intensity and a sine wave to be applied below the semi-transparent cell; fine dust particles accumulated on the semi-transparent cell are separated by size

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP4148412A1System and method for detecting fine dust using low-power laser light
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 NAT INST OF METEOROLOGICAL SCI
  • EP4148412A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4148412A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4148412A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are a system and a method for detecting fine dust using low-power laser light, wherein three low-power laser beams are horizontally emitted from laser generators (10, 12, and 13) positioned at a first surface inside a main body (1) that has an open upper part and a lower part provided with a semi-transparent cell (30), the laser beams are received by light receivers (20, 22, and 23) positioned at a second surface facing the first surface, detection signals are input from the light receivers, fine dust particles accumulated on the semi-transparent cell are separated by size, and an absorption intensity signal varying according to the distribution of the fine dust particles is received and used to analyze the movement speeds, shapes, distribution, sizes, and amount of the fine dust particles.