Heating Device Spectroscopy for Early Combustion Gas Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heating devices with leaking heating elements allow combustion gases to enter the interior, causing damage and reducing efficiency, as existing technologies fail to detect leaks promptly.

Innovation Solution

A heating device equipped with a detection means that includes a spectroscopy unit and sensor within a housing, positioned to detect combustion gases like CO2, with features such as downward openings to prevent dirt entry, redundant sensors for reliability, and a control unit to trigger responses like shutting down the heater if gas concentration exceeds thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a heating element is used to heat a medium, then heating efficiency is improved, but combustion gas leakage into the interior can cause damage and reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidheater safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection means is installed in the interior of the heating device housing to proactively detect combustion gas leakage before it causes damage. The spectroscopy unit continuously monitors the interior space, enabling early warning and preventive action against leaks from the heating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection means acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the interior environment. It detects combustion gases that escape from the heating element through the exhaust pipe, providing a monitoring layer that alerts to potential failures without directly interfering with the heating process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If detection means is added to detect combustion gas, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheater safetyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection means uses spectroscopy (optical/electromagnetic method) to detect combustion gases instead of mechanical or chemical detection methods. The spectroscopy unit analyzes the absorption characteristics of gases at specific wavelengths, providing a non-contact, highly specific detection approach that reduces mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection means is designed to detect various combustion gases (CO, CO2, NOx, SO2) using a single spectroscopy unit that can analyze multiple gas types simultaneously by monitoring different wavelength absorptions, reducing the need for multiple separate detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If openings are provided in the detection device housing, then gas detection capability is improved, but dirt and liquid contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening in the detection device housing is oriented vertically to utilize gravitational separation. Combustion gases rise upward through the opening while heavier particles like dust and liquid droplets settle downward due to gravity, allowing the sensor to detect gases without being contaminated by particulate matter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Early detection of leaks prevents damage and maintains efficiency by ensuring safe operation and immediate response to combustion gas accumulation, reducing the risk of overheating and enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

a spectroscopy unit (16) with a sensor (18) for detecting the combustion gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP3887790B1Heating device and method for detecting combustion gas
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3887790B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3887790B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3887790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a detection means (10) for a combustion gas in a heating device (12), comprising a housing (14) in which a spectroscopy unit (16) with a sensor (18) for detecting the combustion gas and a detection means controller (19) is positioned, wherein the housing (14) has openings (20) for the entry of the combustion gas, and the openings (20) and the sensor (18) are oriented downwards in the direction (1) of the earth's gravitational pull. The invention also relates to a heating device comprising such a detection means and to a method for detecting combustion gas by means of the detection means in a housing (36) of a heating device (12).