Gas Sensor Aperture Angles Prevent Water Adhesion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas concentration detection sensors face challenges in preventing water adhesion to the sensor element, which can lead to cracking and reduced response times due to the presence of protective covers that increase gas flow time to the sensor element.
Innovation Solution
A gas concentration detection sensor design featuring a bottomed cylindrical inner protection cover and an outer protection cover with strategically arranged gas apertures, including first and second outer gas apertures, positioned at specific angles and locations to facilitate water discharge and enhance gas flow to the sensor element, reducing adhesion and improving response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective covers are added to prevent water adhesion, then water protection is improved, but gas flow time increases and response speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into two separate covers: an inner protection cover that directly protects the sensor element, and an outer protection cover that provides additional protection. This segmentation allows each cover to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall effectiveness in preventing water adhesion without excessive gas flow path lengthening
Solution Approach 2:
Gas apertures are strategically positioned at specific locations (side surfaces and bottom surfaces) of the protective covers with optimized angles (10-80 degrees) to create localized efficient gas flow paths. This local optimization ensures that gas can quickly reach the sensor element through the apertures while the rest of the protective structure maintains its water protection function
2Reliability
If the number of protective covers is increased to prevent water adhesion, then water protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex multi-layered protective structure, the invention segments the protection function into two distinct covers with specific roles. The inner cover provides direct sensor protection, while the outer cover provides additional environmental protection. This segmentation simplifies the overall design compared to a single complex multi-functional component
Solution Approach 2:
Each protective cover is designed with multiple functions: they provide water protection, contain gas apertures for gas introduction, and structure the gas flow path. The outer protection cover additionally provides enhanced environmental shielding. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure
3Ease of manufacture
If gas apertures are arranged around the side face of the outer protection cover, then gas introduction is simplified, but water discharge efficiency decreases and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas apertures are arranged asymmetrically at specific locations (side surfaces and bottom surfaces) with optimized angles (10-80 degrees) rather than uniformly around the entire side face. This asymmetric arrangement creates more efficient gas flow paths that quickly direct gas to the sensor element while also facilitating water discharge, thereby reducing response time
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture arrangement extends from the traditional two-dimensional side surface to include the three-dimensional bottom surface of the protective cover. This dimensional expansion creates additional gas introduction pathways and improves both gas flow efficiency and water discharge capability, reducing the time required for gas to reach the sensor element
Data Source
AI summary
First outer gas apertures 144a are arranged in a first corner 144b such that the outer opening plane of each first outer gas aperture 144a forms an angle of 45 degrees with a bottom face of a step element 145 and the outer opening plane forms an angle of 90 degrees with an inner circumferential face of the first outer gas aperture 144a. Second outer gas apertures are arranged in a second corner 146b such that the outer opening plane of each second outer gas aperture 146a forms an angle of 45 degrees with a bottom face of an edge section 146 and the outer opening plane forms an angle of 90 degrees with an inner circumferential face of the second outer gas aperture 146a. This structure prevents water from adhering to a sensor element 110 and thereby enhances the response of a gas sensor 110.