Odor Measurement Chamber Flow Design for Uniform Gas Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing odor measurement systems face issues with non-uniform distribution of odor measurement target gas and mixing with fresh air, leading to inaccurate measurements and sensitivity to temperature and humidity, which degrade the accuracy of odor sensors.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pre-chamber containing a gas flow chamber, vortex generation block, and gas distribution guide ensures uniform distribution and separation of odor measurement target gas from fresh air, using separate supply and discharge pipes, and includes a heater and cooler to control temperature and humidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If odor measurement target gas is supplied directly to the odor sensor, then the measurement process is simple, but the gas distribution is non-uniform and mixing with fresh air occurs leading to inaccurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a pre-chamber for gas distribution and mixing, and a measurement chamber for accurate sensing. The pre-chamber contains a gas distribution guide that divides the odor measurement target gas into multiple streams, ensuring uniform distribution before entering the measurement chamber. This segmentation prevents direct supply issues while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pre-chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the gas supply and the odor sensor. This pre-chamber serves as a buffer zone where the odor measurement target gas is uniformly distributed and separated from fresh air before being supplied to the measurement chamber. The intermediary structure eliminates direct contact issues and improves measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fresh air is supplied to the gas flow chamber, then the chamber can be purged, but mixing with odor measurement target gas occurs reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement consistencyVSAvoidodor concentration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow chamber is segmented into distinct flow paths using a gas distribution guide. The guide creates separate channels that direct fresh air to specific regions while directing odor measurement target gas through other regions. This spatial segmentation prevents mixing during purging operations while maintaining reliable chamber clearing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the gas flow chamber are assigned different functions: some regions are designated for fresh air supply and purging, while other regions are designated for odor measurement target gas flow. The gas distribution guide creates local quality differences in gas composition and flow characteristics, ensuring that purging operations do not contaminate the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If temperature and humidity are not controlled, then the device operation is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensitivity to environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor sensor accuracyVSAvoidenvironmental control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature and humidity control mechanisms are activated before odor measurement begins. The pre-chamber environment is pre-conditioned to stable temperature and humidity levels, ensuring that when the odor measurement target gas enters the measurement chamber, the environmental conditions are already optimized for accurate sensing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-chamber structure itself provides environmental stabilization through its design. The enclosed pre-chamber volume acts as a thermal and humidity buffer, naturally resisting rapid environmental changes. This self-service approach to environmental control reduces the need for active heating or cooling systems while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enhances measurement accuracy by preventing gas mixing and maintaining consistent environmental conditions, thereby improving the reliability of odor sensor data.

Implementation Method 1

having a vortex generation block, a gas distribution guide, and the like in the gas flow chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP4692788A1Device for measuring odor
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4692788A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4692788A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4692788A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A device for measuring odor has a pre-chamber having a gas flow chamber therein in which the gas of an odor measurement target or fresh air flows. The device additionally has a vortex generation block, a gas distribution guide, or the like in the gas flow chamber, thereby being able to prevent mixing of the gas of the odor measurement target and the fresh air that flow through the gas flow chamber. The device is able to prevent errors in measurement data that is measured by an odor sensor and provides the accuracy of odor data by enabling the gas of the odor measurement target to be uniformly mixed and distributed and then supplied to the odor sensor such that the gas can be sensed.