Gas Detector Silicone Removal Filter Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Contact combustion-type gas sensors face degradation in detection sensitivity due to silicone poisoning, and existing solutions like silicone removal filters can inadvertently remove target gases, while increasing the amount of oxidation catalyst requires more power, making battery-driven portable detectors inadequate.

Innovation Solution

A gas detector with a contact combustion-type gas sensor featuring two detection chambers, one with a silicone removal filter to prevent poisoning, and an output processing unit to prioritize data from both gas detection elements, allowing for intermittent energization to reduce power consumption and maintain detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a silicone removal filter is added to prevent silicone poisoning, then durability against silicone compounds is improved, but target gas detection accuracy deteriorates due to removal of solvent gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability against silicone poisoningVSAvoidtarget gas detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gas detector is divided into two separate detection chambers: one chamber equipped with a silicone removal filter for detecting paraffinic hydrocarbon gases and hydrogen, and another chamber without the filter for detecting solvent gases. This segmentation allows each chamber to specialize in detecting specific gas types, preventing the filter from interfering with solvent gas detection while still providing protection against silicone poisoning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The silicone removal filter is applied locally to only one detection chamber rather than the entire gas sensor system. This localized application ensures that the filter's silicone-removal function is activated only where needed for paraffinic hydrocarbon and hydrogen detection, while leaving the other chamber's detection capability for solvent gases unaffected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the amount of oxidation catalyst is increased to prevent sensitivity degradation, then gas sensitivity is improved, but power consumption increases making battery operation inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sensitivityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gas detection function is segmented across two separate detection chambers, each with its own gas detection element. This allows the system to distribute the detection workload and use intermittent energization of individual elements, reducing the total power required compared to a single high-sensitivity element operating continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gas detection elements are operated using intermittent energization rather than continuous operation. The control unit alternates between energizing and non-energizing the detection elements, achieving sufficient detection sensitivity through periodic measurement cycles while significantly reducing overall power consumption to enable battery-driven portable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 gas detector achieves high durability against silicone poisoning, reduces power consumption, and maintains accurate detection of target gases by using a silicone removal filter and intermittent energization, enabling reliable operation in environments with silicone compounds.

Implementation Method 1

a gas inlet that is provided with a silicone removal filter configured to adsorb and remove a silicone compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a gas sensitive part firmly fixed to the surface of a temperature-measuring resistor that generates heat when energized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

an oxidation catalyst is carried by a carrier made of a metal oxide sintered compact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3431976B1Gas detector comprising siloxane removal filter
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 RIKEN KEIKI KK
  • EP3431976B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2
  • EP3431976B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5(c)

AI summary

Provided is a gas detector which has a high durability to silicone poisoning and of which power consumption is reduced. The gas detector (10) includes a contact combustion-type gas sensor and detects a paraffinic hydrocarbon gas, a solvent gas, and a hydrogen gas. The contact combustion-type gas sensor is configured to include two gas detection elements (20a, 20b) that are disposed in two detection chambers (Sa, Sb) partitioned from each other, respectively, and the gas inlet of one detection chamber is provided with a silicone removal filter (25). The paraffinic hydrocarbon gas is detected by one gas detection element disposed in the one detection chamber which is provided with the silicone removal filter. Furthermore, the solvent gas is detected by the other gas detection element which is disposed in the other detection chamber. Still furthermore, the hydrogen gas is detected by either the one gas detection element or the other gas detection element.