Gas Sensor Thru-Hole Insulation and Optical Excitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas sensors face challenges in maintaining a high-temperature condition due to rapid heat dissipation, requiring higher power consumption to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The gas sensor design incorporates a thru-hole in the base to slow down heat transmission and positions the exciting light source inside the thru-hole, minimizing size and enhancing sensitivity while reducing heat from the heating layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is used to heat the gas-sensing material to high temperature, then the gas-sensing material can be effectively ionized and detected, but heat is rapidly dissipated requiring higher power consumption to maintain the temperature
Solution Approach 1:
An exciting light source is introduced as an intermediary to activate the gas-sensing material, reducing the dependency on high-temperature heating. The light source provides energy to excite the material, allowing the heater to operate at lower power while maintaining effective gas detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the thermal heating mechanism with an optical excitation mechanism. Instead of relying solely on thermal energy from the heater, the exciting light source provides electromagnetic energy to activate the gas-sensing material, thereby reducing the power consumption of the heating system
2Loss of energy
If the element area is arranged corresponding to the thru-hole, then heat transmission to the base is slowed down reducing heat dissipation, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented by creating a thru-hole, which divides the base structure into regions that control heat flow paths. This segmentation allows heat to be retained in specific areas (under the element area) while still providing structural integrity and gas access pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The element area is positioned in three-dimensional space corresponding to the thru-hole, creating a vertical arrangement where the element area, thru-hole, and base layers are stacked. This dimensional arrangement optimizes heat retention by positioning the element area above the thru-hole where heat can be contained
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
This configuration reduces heat dissipation, increases sensitivity of the gas-sensing material, and allows for lower heating temperatures, improving the overall efficiency of the gas sensor.
Implementation Method 1
a heating layer (5) disposed on the insulating layer (3)... heat generated from the heating layer
Implementation Method 2
the exciting light source (8) is configured to excite the gas-sensing material (6) for increasing sensitivity of the gas-sensing material (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensor includes a base, an insulating layer, two sensing electrodes, a heating layer, a gas-sensing material, and an exciting light source. A thru-hole is formed on the base, the insulating layer is disposed on the base to cover the thru-hole, and a portion of the insulating layer corresponding to the thru-hole is defined as an element area. Each sensing electrode disposed on the insulating layer has a sensing segment disposed on the element area and a sensing pad disposed outside the element area. The heating layer disposed on the insulating layer has a heating segment disposed on the element area and two heating pads disposed outside the element area. The gas-sensing material is disposed on the element area and covers the sensing segments and the heating segment. The exciting light source is arranged in the thru-hole and is configured to emit light toward the gas-sensing material.