Integrated Infrared Detection Device for Gas and Activity Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared detection devices struggle to simultaneously detect human activity and gas concentrations effectively due to rudimentary discrimination capabilities and the need for separate sensors, leading to false alerts and increased installation complexities.

Innovation Solution

An integrated infrared detection device featuring a matrix of suspended micro-bridges for both gas detection and activity monitoring, where a single resistive layer is used for both emission and detection, allowing for a unified device with reduced manufacturing costs and energy consumption, and facilitating communication between the two functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate sensors are used for gas detection and activity monitoring, then each function can be performed independently, but the device complexity and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines gas detection and activity monitoring functions into a single integrated infrared detection device. The device includes both a gas detection module with infrared source and detector, and an activity detection module with pixel matrix, all integrated within one housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensors and reduces installation complexity while maintaining reliable detection capabilities for both functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The infrared detection device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both gas concentration measurement and human activity detection using infrared radiation. The device uses a single infrared source that serves both gas absorption measurement and activity detection purposes, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized sensors.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If a single integrated device is used for both gas detection and activity monitoring, then installation is simplified and energy consumption is reduced, but the discrimination capabilities between different gas types and activity types become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoiddiscrimination capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The device internally segments different detection functions into distinct modules: a gas detection module with specific infrared source and detector for measuring gas concentrations, and an activity detection module with pixel matrix for detecting human movement and behavior. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated within a single device, maintaining discrimination capabilities despite the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 integrated device enhances discrimination capabilities, reduces false alerts, and simplifies installation by combining gas detection and activity monitoring within a single unit, improving energy efficiency and operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a first portion 45a of a resistive layer 45, which is capable of emitting a first infrared radiation 128 in a first range of wavelengths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

suitable for absorption by the gas or gases to be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 3

carbon dioxide (CO2) is characterized by two absorption bands located at 4.2 μm (the so-called stretching mode or 'stretching' and at 15.1 μm (so-called folding or 'bending' '')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

a second portion 45b of the resistive layer 45, which is thermally coupled to a first element 80 corresponding to an element capable of absorbing the first infrared radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal coupling: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

first element 80 corresponding to an element capable of absorbing the first infrared radiation intended to be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoresistive effect: Thermo-resistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2743679B1Infrared detection device
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ULIS SAS
  • EP2743679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2743679B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2743679B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2f

AI summary

The device has electrically conducting material portions electrically connecting a thermo resistive transduction element (28c) to an electronic circuit (110) for controlling and reading a matrix of infra-red detectors (112) formed in a substrate (109). The material portions ensure a mechanical maintenance of a portion (25c) of a resistive layer with respect to the substrate, where distance between the resistive layer portion and the substrate is approximately equal to distance between another resistive layer portion (25b) and the substrate. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing an infrared detection device.