Gas Sensor Control Nullifying Resistance Deviations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas sensors, such as NOx sensors, face accuracy deterioration due to rapid changes in internal resistance caused by element cooling or temperature fluctuations, leading to inaccurate detection of gas concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A gas sensor control apparatus that transmits nullification information to external devices when the internal resistance of the sensor exceeds permissible ranges, allowing for appropriate processing to correct concentration values, thereby maintaining detection accuracy despite internal resistance variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the gas sensor is used for detecting gas concentration, then the detection function is provided, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to rapid changes in internal resistance caused by element cooling or temperature fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas concentration detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability under temperature variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus continuously monitors the internal resistance of the gas sensor and compares it against predetermined reference values. When the internal resistance deviates from the reference range, the system generates nullification information to compensate for the measurement error, thereby maintaining detection accuracy despite temperature-induced resistance changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects changes in the internal resistance parameter and adjusts the measurement processing accordingly. By monitoring the resistance value and comparing it with reference ranges, the system determines when nullification processing is needed to maintain accurate gas concentration readings under varying temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the internal resistance of the cell is rapidly changed due to element cooling or rapid temperature rise, then the temperature response is improved, but the detection value of gas concentration becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature response speedVSAvoidgas concentration detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares nullification information in advance by storing reference internal resistance values and predetermined correction data. When rapid temperature changes occur, the system can immediately apply the appropriate nullification processing without waiting for temperature stabilization, thus maintaining both response speed and measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus continuously monitors internal resistance during temperature transitions and dynamically adjusts the measurement values. By providing real-time feedback on resistance changes and applying corresponding nullification corrections, the system maintains detection accuracy even during rapid temperature response periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If nullification information is transmitted to external devices when internal resistance exceeds permissible ranges, then the detection accuracy is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas concentration detection accuracyVSAvoidcontrol apparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nullification processing function is extracted as a separate control mechanism that operates independently from the main measurement circuitry. By isolating the nullification information generation and transmission functions, the system adds minimal complexity while achieving accurate measurement compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus autonomously monitors its own internal resistance and automatically generates nullification information without external intervention. This self-diagnostic and self-correcting capability eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively suppresses the deterioration of gas concentration detection accuracy by providing nullification information, ensuring reliable gas component measurement even under conditions of rapid internal resistance changes.

Implementation Method 1

the NOx sensor is provided with a unitary body constituted of a heater and each of cells and is connected to a controller which controls an electric current to be supplied to the heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

there are known those sensors which include a plurality of cells each having an oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte (for instance, zirconia) body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFast ion conduction: Fast Ion Conductor

Implementation Method 3

a first oxygen pumping cell exposed to the first measurement chamber controls an oxygen concentration in the gas at a constant value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen pumping: Pump

Implementation Method 4

A constant electric voltage is applied to the second oxygen pumping cell exposed to the second measurement chamber to thereby decompose the NOx present in the gas in the second measurement chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical decomposition: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2354784B1Apparatus and method for controlling a gas sensor
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 NITERRA CO LTD
  • EP2354784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2354784B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2354784B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A gas sensor control apparatus including internal resistance detection means for detecting an internal resistance value of one of cells of a gas sensor, concentration detection means for detecting a concentration value of a specific gas component in a gas to be measured and outputting the detected concentration value, heater current supply control means for controlling a current to be supplied to a heater of the gas sensor such that the detected internal resistance value becomes a target value, determination means for determining whether or not the detected internal resistance value is within a permissible range including the target value, nullification information generation means for generating nullification information to nullify the detected concentration value, when it is determined that the target value is out of the permissible range, and nullification information output means for outputting the nullification information to an external device connected to the gas sensor control apparatus.