Gas Sensor Baseline Restoration via Liquid Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensor technologies face challenges in restoring the baseline signal to a constant state due to adsorption of components from mixed gases, which affects reproducibility, particularly in complex gas mixtures like coffee or exhaled breath, and require modifications to the sensor element or sensitive membrane.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensor device equipped with a surface stress sensor and a sensitive membrane durable against liquids, where the sensor is cleaned using a liquid cleaning means, either by immersion or liquid supply, followed by a drying step to restore the signal baseline to a constant state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gas sensor is used to detect components in mixed gas, then identification capability is improved, but baseline stability deteriorates due to adsorption of various components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a cleaning step that removes adsorbed components from the sensor surface, effectively discarding the accumulated contaminants that cause baseline drift. This allows the sensor to recover its original baseline state and continue accurate measurements without permanent degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the cleaning agent from gas phase to liquid phase. The liquid cleaning agent has different solvation properties and can more effectively dissolve and remove adsorbed components compared to gas-phase cleaning methods
2Stability of the object's composition
If heating or photocatalytic materials are used to remove adsorbed components, then baseline restoration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the sensor element itself, using a separate liquid cleaning agent applied to the sensor surface. This avoids modifying the sensor element structure while still achieving effective removal of adsorbed components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid cleaning agent as an intermediary substance between the adsorbed components and the sensor surface. This mediator facilitates the removal of contaminants through liquid-phase solvation and cleaning mechanisms
3Reliability
If sensor element or sensitive membrane is modified to handle mixed gas components, then resistance to adsorbed components is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the sensing function from the cleaning function. The sensor element maintains its original structure for detection, while a separate liquid cleaning system handles the removal of adsorbed components, avoiding complex modifications to the sensor element
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 removes adsorbed gas components, allowing for reliable reproducibility of measurement results by simplifying the process of restoring the gas sensor's baseline signal to a constant state.
Implementation Method 1
a component that does not desorb or takes a long time to desorb once adsorbed to a sensor element
Implementation Method 2
cleaning means configured to remove a gas component adsorbed on the sensitive membrane
Implementation Method 3
sensor main body capable of detecting a characteristic parameter of a component present in a gas phase, and a sensitive membrane that is coated on a surface of the sensor main body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides: a gas sensor device that is capable of removing a component adsorbed on a gas sensor by relatively simple means and easily restoring a signal baseline of the gas sensor to a constant state; and a method for removing a gas component. The gas sensor device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a gas sensor and cleaning means that contains a liquid for cleaning the gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a sensor main body that is capable of detecting a characteristic parameter of a component present in a gas phase or a liquid phase, and a sensitive membrane that is coated on a surface of the sensor main body and is durable against the liquid.