Gas Sensor Cover Ventilation Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas sensor devices used in internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving high-speed response and accurate measurement due to high-speed intake air flow and particle contamination, which impairs measurement accuracy across a wide flow rate range.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensor device with a sensor element that utilizes a cover with ventilation portions arranged perpendicular to the gas flow direction, reducing airflow and particle exposure while allowing gas measurement, and incorporating a thermal humidity sensor element for precise humidity detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the sensor element is exposed to the intake air passage to achieve high-speed response, then the response speed is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to high-speed airflow and particle contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple ventilation portions (first, second, third, fourth ventilation portions) arranged at different positions and orientations. This segmentation allows gas to reach the sensor element through multiple pathways while distributing and reducing the impact of high-speed airflow and particles at any single location, enabling both fast response and accurate measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation portions are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations (some perpendicular to flow direction, some at angles). The sensor element is positioned between these ventilation portions in three-dimensional space. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows gas to approach the sensor from multiple directions while the sensor remains protected from direct high-speed particle impact, resolving the contradiction between response speed and measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the sensor element is protected from direct exposure to reduce particle contamination, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ventilation portions are created in the cover, each providing a separate gas pathway to the sensor element. This segmentation allows gas to reach the sensor through multiple routes simultaneously, reducing the overall response time while the cover structure continues to protect the sensor from direct particle contamination, maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation portions are positioned at different locations and orientations on the cover, creating three-dimensional gas flow pathways. The sensor element is positioned between these ventilation portions, allowing gas to approach from multiple spatial directions. This multi-dimensional configuration reduces the distance and time for gas to reach the sensor while maintaining protection from particles, resolving the time-accuracy trade-off
3Speed
If a lid member with introduction hole is used to redirect gas flow, then response speed is improved compared to hollow portions, but measurement accuracy is insufficient due to gas still flowing directly onto the sensor element
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single introduction hole, the cover is provided with multiple ventilation portions (first, second, third, fourth ventilation portions) at different positions. This segmentation distributes the gas flow into multiple smaller streams that reach the sensor element from different directions, reducing the direct high-speed particle impact while maintaining fast gas arrival, thus improving both response speed and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation portions are arranged in different spatial orientations and positions on the cover, with the sensor element positioned between them in three-dimensional space. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows gas to approach the sensor through multiple pathways while the cover structure redirects and diffuses the gas flow, preventing direct high-speed particle impact. This resolves the contradiction by achieving fast response through multiple close pathways while maintaining accuracy through flow distribution
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 enhances measurement accuracy and responsiveness by minimizing airflow and particle impact, allowing for effective gas concentration detection even at varying flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor element that detects gas concentration by heat dissipation of a heating element
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a gas sensor device having improved measurement accuracy. This gas sensor device is provided with: a sensor element that detects the concentration of a gas by means of heat dissipation from a heat generating body; and a cover with which the sensor element is covered. The cover has a plurality of ventilation sections, which are disposed by being separated with each other in the direction perpendicular to the flowing direction of the gas, and the sensor element is disposed between the ventilation sections.