Gas Sensor Detection Unit with Optical Lens and Mobile Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for economical gas detection solutions that can be used by non-professionals to monitor environmentally critical and noxious gases, as existing gas sensors are often expensive and require specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A detection unit for gas sensors that utilizes a gas-sensitive material with varying optical properties, integrated with a mobile device's image acquisition unit, allowing for ambient light analysis to detect target gases without additional electrical components, leveraging existing mobile devices like cellphones for economical gas detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gas sensors are used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems with a simple optical system. A gas-sensitive element changes optical properties (color/absorption) when exposed to target gas, and this optical change is captured by the mobile device's existing camera. This substitution of mechanical/optical components for electronic sensing components reduces device complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the image acquisition device and the gas detection device. The existing camera, processor, and display of the mobile device are utilized for gas sensing, eliminating the need for dedicated specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If specialized gas sensing equipment is used, then detection reliability is improved, but accessibility to non-professionals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mobile devices, which are universally owned and operated by non-professionals, to perform gas detection functions. By integrating the gas-sensitive element with the mobile device's camera system, the patent makes professional-grade detection capability accessible to everyday users through a familiar interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device's existing components (camera, processor, display) perform the detection and analysis functions without requiring external specialized equipment or expert operation. The system is self-contained and leverages the mobile device's own capabilities to provide reliable gas detection to end users.
3Measurement precision
If professional measuring instruments are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive components, particularly the gas-sensitive element which can be a simple chemical layer or coating, combined with the already-owned mobile device. This approach replaces expensive professional instruments with a combination of low-cost consumable (gas-sensitive element) and existing consumer electronics, dramatically reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive electronic sensing components with simple optical components and utilizes the mobile device's existing imaging system. This replacement of specialized expensive equipment with common consumer technology and simple optical elements significantly reduces manufacturing costs while preserving measurement precision.
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 straightforward, economical detection of target gases by using widely available mobile devices, reducing production costs and making gas detection accessible to private users without specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-sensitive element (1) comprising at least one gas-sensitive material, the optical properties of which vary as a function of the contact with a target gas
Implementation Method 2
The detection unit comprises at least one optical lens (2), and the gas-sensitive element (1) and the optical lens (2) are arranged in such a way that ambient light that passes through the gas-sensitive element (1) can be imaged by means of the optical lens (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A detection unit for a gas sensor, having at least one gas-sensitive element (1) including at least one gas-sensitive material, the optical properties of which vary as a function of the contact with a target gas. The detection unit is configured for arrangement on a mobile evaluation unit (5) having an image acquisition unit (6), in order to form a gas sensor, and the detection unit has at least one optical lens (2), and the gas-sensitive element (1) and the optical lens (2) are arranged in such a way that the ambient light (U) that passes through the gas-sensitive element (1) can be imaged by the optical lens (2), in particular can be imaged onto the image acquisition unit (6) when the detection unit is arranged on the mobile evaluation unit (5).