Gas Sampling Valve and Filter for Hygienic Concentration Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical devices for measuring substance concentration in gas mixtures, such as breath alcohol, suffer from reliability issues during prolonged use and require cumbersome hygiene measures.
Innovation Solution
An analytical device with a detachable input unit, a sensor array, and a filter located in the fluid guide unit, which includes a valve for fluid-tight sealing and a filter to remove particles, ensuring reliable and hygienic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fluid guide unit connects the input unit to the measuring chamber, then gas sample extraction is enabled, but particle contamination and evaporation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a valve as an intermediary component in the fluid guide unit that can open to allow gas sample extraction and close to seal the measuring chamber. This mediator enables the system to switch between extraction mode and protected mode, resolving the contradiction by allowing gas flow when needed while preventing contamination and evaporation when the valve is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a seal element (thin film structure) that works with the valve to create a fluid-tight seal in the measuring chamber. This flexible sealing mechanism allows the chamber to be accessible during operation while maintaining protection during storage or idle periods, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
2Device complexity
If the input unit is permanently attached to the base, then device simplicity is improved, but hygiene compliance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into separable components: an input unit that can be detached from the base. This segmentation allows the input unit (which contacts the user's mouth) to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement, while the base containing the sensitive measuring chamber remains stationary. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity in the base design while enabling hygiene compliance through easy separation and cleaning of the input unit.
3Reliability
If additional sealing mechanisms are added to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the existing valve structure in the fluid guide unit. Rather than adding separate sealing mechanisms, the valve itself is designed to provide fluid-tight sealing when closed, and the seal element is integrated into this valve structure. This merging approach improves reliability by preventing contamination while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent sealing systems.
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 provides high reliability and ease of hygiene compliance by minimizing particle contamination and evaporation risks, allowing for accurate and efficient measurement of substance concentration without the need for additional sealing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a valve (2, 13) is provided in the fluid guide unit (71), which can be moved into a closed and a released end position. In the closed end position, the valve (2, 13) seals the fluid guide unit (71) in a fluid-tight manner
Implementation Method 2
a filter (23) is provided in the fluid guide unit (71), which removes particles from a gas sample (Gp) flowing through the fluid guide unit (71)
Implementation Method 3
The sensor of the sensor array is capable of measuring the concentration (proportion) and/or the quantity, e.g., the mass, of the substance being sought in a gas sample while this gas sample is in the measuring chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an analytical device (100) designed to analyze a gas mixture for a predetermined substance. A tubular input unit (70) can be connected to a base body. A gas mixture can be introduced into the input unit and flows from an inlet to an outlet. A fluid guide unit (71) connects an intake port (AO) in the input unit (70) to a measuring chamber (3). An intake unit (5) is able to draw a gas sample (Gp) from the input unit (70) and convey it through the fluid guide unit (71) into the measuring chamber (3). A sensor is able to measure the concentration of the substance in a gas sample (Gp) located in the measuring chamber (3). A valve selectively opens or closes the fluid guide unit (71). An electrostatically charged and/or mechanically acting filter (23) in the fluid guide unit (71) is located between the intake port (AO) and the valve.