Gas Sensor Circuit Segmentation for Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensors used in fuel cell systems face challenges in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, where the heat-resistant and moisture-proof properties of integrated circuits or microcomputers are compromised, leading to potential deterioration and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensor design featuring a gas-sensing element mounted on a first circuit board within a gas-sensing chamber, with a separate second circuit board containing a control circuit and moisture-proof material, keeping it outside the chamber to prevent exposure to adverse conditions, and optionally including a heater and temperature/humidity sensors for environmental control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second circuit board with control circuit is disposed inside the gas-sensing chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to heat and moisture damage in high-temperature high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into two separate parts: a first circuit board with the gas-sensing element mounted on it disposed inside the gas-sensing chamber, and a second circuit board with the control circuit disposed outside the chamber. This segmentation allows the sensitive control circuit to be protected from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining functional integration through electrical connections between the two boards.
2Manufacturing precision
If the control circuit is integrated with the gas-sensing element on the same circuit board inside the chamber, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to exposure to high temperature and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into two separate parts: a first circuit board with the gas-sensing element mounted on it disposed inside the gas-sensing chamber, and a second circuit board with the control circuit disposed outside the chamber. This segmentation allows the sensitive control circuit to be protected from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining functional integration through electrical connections between the two boards.
Solution Approach 2:
A moisture-proof material is introduced as an intermediary substance disposed between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. This moisture-proof material prevents moisture and heat from the gas-sensing chamber environment from reaching the control circuit on the second circuit board, thereby protecting it from environmental damage while allowing electrical signals to pass through.
3Reliability
If the circuit board is separated into two boards with moisture-proof material, then the reliability is improved by protecting sensitive components, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into two separate parts: a first circuit board with the gas-sensing element mounted on it disposed inside the gas-sensing chamber, and a second circuit board with the control circuit disposed outside the chamber. This segmentation allows the sensitive control circuit to be protected from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining functional integration through electrical connections between the two boards.
Solution Approach 2:
A moisture-proof material is introduced as an intermediary substance disposed between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. This moisture-proof material prevents moisture and heat from the gas-sensing chamber environment from reaching the control circuit on the second circuit board, thereby protecting it from environmental damage while allowing electrical signals to pass through.
4Ease of manufacture
If the control circuit board is exposed to high-temperature high-humidity environment, then the ease of manufacture is improved by simplifying assembly, but the duration of action decreases due to deterioration of heat-resistant and moisture-proof properties
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into two separate parts: a first circuit board with the gas-sensing element mounted on it disposed inside the gas-sensing chamber, and a second circuit board with the control circuit disposed outside the chamber. This segmentation allows the sensitive control circuit to be protected from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining functional integration through electrical connections between the two boards.
Solution Approach 2:
A moisture-proof material is introduced as an intermediary substance disposed between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. This moisture-proof material prevents moisture and heat from the gas-sensing chamber environment from reaching the control circuit on the second circuit board, thereby protecting it from environmental damage while allowing electrical signals to pass through.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas-sensing element configured to measure a concentration of a specific component of a gas is mounted to a first circuit board which includes a driving circuit configured to drive the gas-sensing element. A moisture-proof material is disposed over at least one side of the first circuit board disposed in a tubular gas-sensing element case fixed to a sensor case. A gas-sensing chamber is defined by the first circuit board and an inner tubular surface of the gas-sensing element case, and opens at an open end of the gas-sensing element case to receive the gas to be monitored. A second circuit board which includes a control circuit configured to control the gas-sensing element via the driving circuit is fixed to a sensor case, and disposed in a position separate from the gas-sensing chamber such that the second circuit board is kept out of contact with the gas to be monitored.