Gas Sensor Circuit Using Database-Selected Substances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensors for measuring air constituents are costly and inefficient to produce, making them unsuitable for low-cost applications such as monitoring odors in environments like refuse containers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the selection and integration of sensor substances with specific sensitivities into an electrical circuit, based on database-stored conductivity measurements across varying gas concentrations, humidity levels, and temperatures, to accurately measure gas constituents at a fraction of the cost of traditional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gas sensors are used to measure gas constituents, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple independent sensor substances, each sensitive to specific gas constituents. These segmented sensing elements are integrated into a single sensor device, allowing cost-effective measurement of multiple gases simultaneously while maintaining measurement precision through the combined response of individual substances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in electrical conductivity parameters of sensor substances in response to gas concentration variations. By measuring conductivity changes rather than using complex traditional sensing mechanisms, the system achieves accurate gas measurement at lower manufacturing costs
2Measurement precision
If sensor substances with high sensitivity are selected for specific gases, then measurement precision for target gases is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensor substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of multiple sensor substances beforehand to determine their sensitivity profiles for different gas constituents. This preliminary action creates a database of sensor responses that guides the selection process, reducing the complexity of integrating multiple substances by providing a systematic approach to matching sensor substances with target gases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal sensor platform that can accommodate multiple different sensor substances within a single device architecture. This universal design allows the same basic structure to detect various gas constituents by simply changing or combining sensor substances, reducing overall device complexity through standardization
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor substances are integrated into a single circuit, then measurement capability for multiple gases is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor substance integration process into distinct, manageable components that can be individually positioned and connected to the circuit. Each sensor substance is integrated as a separate element with defined electrical connections, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements by breaking down the complex integration task into simpler, repeatable steps
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 the production of cost-effective sensors capable of accurately measuring specific gas constituents, suitable for low-cost applications, with the potential to operate at low voltages and be miniaturized for mobile use, while maintaining high specificity and selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
electrical conductivities of sensor substances from a sensor substance list, which sensor substances each have an electrical conductivity dependent on a concentration of one or more gases in an environment of the sensor substance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a sensor comprising a circuit with multiple sensor substances. According to the invention, it is provided that electrical conductivities of sensor substances from a sensor substance list, which sensor substances each have an electrical conductivity dependent on a concentration of one or more gases in an environment of the sensor substance, are measured in environments with different concentrations of different gases and optionally different humidity levels and/or different temperatures, in order to determine sensitivities of the conductivities of the individual sensor substances for the different gases, wherein the measured conductivities and determined sensitivities of the sensor substances from the sensor substance list are stored in a database, whereupon, depending on requirements for the sensor with respect to gas concentrations in an environment which are to be ascertained using the sensor as well as on predefined usage conditions, in particular with respect to a humidity level and/or a temperature, at least two sensor substances from the sensor substance list are selected for the gas concentrations that are to be ascertained, based on the sensitivity stored in the database for the respective sensor substances, which selected sensor substances are integrated into an electrical circuit such that a conductivity of the sensor substances can be measured, so that the concentration of the gas constituent that is to be ascertained and/or a change in the concentration of the gas constituent that is to be ascertained in the environment of the circuit can be ascertained by measurement of the conductances of the sensor substances in the circuit and/or by measurement of changes in the conductances of the sensor substances in the circuit. Furthermore, a sensor for measuring gas constituents in the air of an environment is shown, comprising an electrical circuit which has at least two sensor substances from a sensor substance list, wherein conductivities of the sensor substances can be ascertained by means of the circuit. Additionally, a method for ascertaining gas constituents in an environment is proposed.