Gas sensor, refrigerator including same and control method therefor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas sensors face limitations in selectivity and sensitivity, particularly in measuring specific gases at low concentrations, leading to crosstalk and difficulty in detecting gases at ppm levels or lower, which hinders accurate identification of target gases and food ripening processes.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensor with multiple detectors discolored by reacting with different target gases, utilizing pH indicators and hydrophilic membranes, and a hydrophobic base for gas permeation, along with an image detector and transmitter for data output, allowing for independent detection and visual recognition of target gases and food states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gas sensors (semiconductor or electrochemical) are used to measure target gas, then the sensor can detect gas density, but measurement selectivity deteriorates due to crosstalk where target gas and other gases are simultaneously measured
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor is divided into multiple detectors, each dedicated to detecting a specific target gas. This segmentation eliminates crosstalk by assigning separate detection zones for different gases, allowing each detector to measure its designated gas without interference from other gases present in the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophilic membrane is introduced as an intermediary layer between the target gas and the detectors. This membrane selectively allows specific gases to pass through while blocking others, thereby preventing crosstalk and improving measurement selectivity by mediating the interaction between the gas mixture and the detection elements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional gas sensors are used to measure low concentration gas, then the sensor structure is simple, but measurement sensitivity deteriorates making it difficult to measure gas at ppm level or lower
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented into multiple specialized detectors, each optimized for detecting specific gases at low concentrations. This segmentation allows each detector to focus on a narrow detection range, thereby improving sensitivity for ppm-level or lower gas concentrations without requiring excessive complexity in each individual detector.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection parameters of each detector are optimized and adjusted according to the specific target gas being detected. By changing detection parameters such as pH indicator selection, membrane permeability characteristics, and detector sensitivity settings, the system achieves high measurement sensitivity for low-concentration gases while maintaining manageable overall device complexity through systematic parameter optimization.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detectors are provided to detect different target gases independently, then measurement selectivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic membrane serves as a universal component that works with all detectors in the system, providing selective gas permeation across multiple detection zones. This multi-functional element reduces overall device complexity by using a single membrane structure to enable selective detection for multiple different gases simultaneously, rather than requiring separate membrane systems for each detector.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic membrane utilizes porous material properties to selectively allow passage of specific gases while blocking others. This porous structure provides a built-in filtering mechanism that reduces the need for additional complex components in each detector, as the membrane itself performs the selective separation function, thereby improving measurement selectivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 independent detection of various target gases and intuitive recognition of food categories and states, improving selectivity and sensitivity to detect gases at sub-ppm levels, facilitating accurate identification and control of food storage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic membrane (122) having a detection solution
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of detectors is discolored by reacting with each predetermined target gas
Implementation Method 3
measures the influence of resistance changed when a target material to be measured is oxidized or reduced
Implementation Method 4
The base may include a hydrophobic membrane needed for gas permeation
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensor includes a plurality of detectors discolored by reacting with different predetermined target gases, such that the gas sensor independently measures the amount of each target gas. A refrigerator for deciding a type and state of target food contained in a container by sensing a color change of a gas sensor mounted to the container including the target food, and a method for controlling the gas sensor are disclosed. The gas sensor for detecting a plurality of target gases includes a base and a plurality of detectors provided at the base. The detectors respectively detect different target gases, and each detector is discolored by reacting with each predetermined target gas.