Portable Odor Detector Sealed Package Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current odor detection methods for disposable hygiene products are inadequate due to subjective human evaluation and difficulties in quantifying odors objectively, with existing instruments like GC-MS being large, expensive, and unsuitable for production use, and requiring product unpacking for testing.
Innovation Solution
A portable odor detector with a sampling unit, odor sensor, and display screen that allows for objective and quantitative odor measurement within a sealed package, using an air pump to draw and heat airflow for ionization and signal conversion, enabling precise and cost-effective odor detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GC-MS is used for odor detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core detection function from the complex GC-MS system and implements it using a simplified sensor-based approach. The odor sensor (model 17P2) directly detects odor substances without requiring the complex chromatography and mass spectrometry systems, achieving adequate precision while dramatically reducing device size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective odor sensor instead of expensive GC-MS equipment, making the detection system affordable for widespread production use. The simplified sensor system eliminates the need for expensive maintenance and operation costs associated with spectrometers.
2Measurement precision
If GC-MS is used for odor detection, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential odor detection capability from the time-consuming GC-MS process. The odor sensor provides rapid real-time detection without the lengthy sample preparation, injection, separation, and analysis steps required by GC-MS, significantly improving detection speed for production line applications.
3Ease of operation
If artificial grouping test is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical human sensory system with an electronic odor sensor system. The sensor objectively measures odor concentration without being influenced by individual differences in human olfaction, providing consistent and reproducible results while maintaining operational simplicity through automated measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the subjective human sensory evaluation into an objective physical measurement parameter. The odor sensor converts odor concentration into quantifiable electrical signals, changing the evaluation from subjective scoring to precise numerical measurement, thereby improving objectivity and repeatability.
4Measurement precision
If product package is opened for odor detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sampling needle as an intermediary tool that penetrates the package seal to access the product interior without fully opening the package. This allows odor detection to be performed through the sealed package, eliminating the need for unpacking and repackaging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs odor detection through the sealed package before the product would normally be opened or damaged. This preliminary detection approach allows quality control to be completed while the product remains in its original packaging, avoiding subsequent repackaging steps.
5Measurement precision
If product package is opened for odor detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling needle acts as an intermediary that creates a minimal opening through the package seal just sufficient for odor sampling. This approach preserves the integrity of the packaging material while enabling detection, avoiding the need to completely open and subsequently repack the product.
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 portable detector provides reliable, repeatable, and cost-effective odor quantification for disposable hygiene products and their raw materials, reducing individual variability and packaging-related costs, while maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an air pump having a suction port in airtight communication with the detection chamber, wherein an airflow sampling passage and an airflow returning passage are defined in the heat-resistant housing such that the two passages are in airtight communication with the detection chamber, by operating the air pump, a test airflow from an object to be tested can be sucked into the detection chamber through the airflow sampling passage
Implementation Method 2
the odor sensor can heat the airflow in the detection chamber so as to decompose gas molecules of the test airflow into charged ions
Implementation Method 3
the odor sensor can heat the airflow in the detection chamber so as to decompose gas molecules of the test airflow into charged ions which can be converted to electrical signals
Implementation Method 4
decompose gas molecules of the test airflow into charged ions which can be converted to electrical signals, which signals can be transmitted to the circuit board for storage and/or displayed on the display screen as test results
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a portable odor detector and a method for operating the same, especially for a disposable hygiene product or its raw materials, comprising a housing, a display screen, a battery assembly, a circuit board and a sampling unit, wherein the sampling unit comprises a heat-resistant housing in which a detection chamber is defined, an odor sensor is arranged in the detection chamber.