Selective Multi-Gas Sensor Pulse Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas sensors are designed to detect single gases, leading to high power consumption when multiple sensors are combined to detect multiple gases, such as methane, carbon monoxide, and ethanol, in indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A selective multi-gas sensor device with a gas sensor, resistance measurement circuit, and controller that uses a gas sensitive material reacting with gases, a temperature sensor, and a heater, which alternates temperature using a pulse voltage signal to measure resistance changes and detect gases based on sensitivity ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas sensors are included in a single device to detect multiple different gases, then the gas detection capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single gas sensor to detect multiple different gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, ethanol, and other volatile organic compounds) through pulse heating. The sensor performs multiple detection functions sequentially by switching between different operating temperatures, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensors and thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining comprehensive gas detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If a gas sensor operates continuously at high temperature to maintain sensitivity, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using pulse heating to alternately heat and cool the gas sensor. The sensor is heated to high temperature during detection phases to maintain sensitivity and accuracy, then cooled during idle phases to reduce power consumption. This periodic heating and cooling cycle allows the sensor to achieve high detection accuracy when needed while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous high-temperature operation.
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 efficient detection of multiple gases with reduced power consumption by rapidly heating and cooling a thin film gas sensor, allowing for faster gas detection and lower energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heats the gas sensitive material... instruct the power source to supply a heating signal to power the heater to heat the gas sensitive material
Implementation Method 2
a gas sensitive material that chemically reacts with gases... measures a resistance of the gas sensitive material... detects and identifies a gas based on a ratio between sensitivity levels
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a selective multi-gas sensor device that detects when a high concentration level of a particular gas, such as methane, carbon monoxide, and/or ethanol, is present. The selective multi-gas sensor device detects and identifies a particular gas based on a ratio between a sensitivity of a gas sensitive material at a first temperature and a sensitivity of the gas sensitive material at a second temperature.