Odor Measurement Device Using Desorption Cycle for Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing odor measurement devices face inefficiencies and poor accuracy due to the time-consuming cleaning process required after each measurement, which can lead to residual odorous substances affecting subsequent measurements, resulting in measurement errors.

Innovation Solution

An odor measurement device with a sensor having an adsorption film that adsorbs and desorbs odorous substances, utilizing a first gas for adsorption and a second gas for desorption, allowing for continuous measurement with improved accuracy by maintaining the adsorption film in a saturated state, and incorporating a filter to miniaturize the device and enhance sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a cleaning process is performed to remove odorous substance from the sensing part, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of measuring odor during adsorption and then cleaning, the patent inverts the sequence by first saturating the sensing part with odorous substance, then performing desorption measurement. This inversion eliminates the need for time-consuming cleaning between measurements while maintaining accuracy, as the desorption process itself serves as the measurement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous measurement cycles by saturating the sensing part with odorous substance and then immediately performing desorption measurement without intermediate cleaning. This creates a continuous useful action where the sensing part is constantly utilized for measurement, eliminating idle cleaning time and improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If the cleaning process is shortened to improve operating efficiency, then operation time decreases, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to residual odorous substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful residual odorous substance that would normally require cleaning into a beneficial element by using it as the measurement target. The residual substance on the sensing part is deliberately utilized for desorption measurement, transforming what was previously a source of error into the basis for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If the adsorption film is maintained in a saturated state for continuous measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the filter operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor determination accuracyVSAvoidfilter operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic saturation and desorption cycles rather than continuous operation. The sensing part is periodically saturated with odorous substance and then immediately subjected to desorption measurement, creating a rhythmic cycle that maintains accuracy while minimizing the duration each filter must operate continuously, thereby reducing overall filter wear and operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach significantly reduces the operation time of the filter, improves operating efficiency, and enables stable and accurate odor determination by maintaining the adsorption film in a saturated state, reducing the need for extensive cleaning and minimizing the impact of residual substances.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor having an adsorption film that adsorbs an odorous substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a second pump configured to supply a second gas for desorbing the odorous substance from the adsorption film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS20230266206A1Odor measurement device, control device, and odor determination method

Publication Date: 2023.08.24 TAIYO YUDEN KK

AI summary

An odor measurement device includes a sensor having an adsorption film that adsorbs an odorant and outputting a signal corresponding to adsorption of the odorant, a first pump that supplies a first gas containing an odorant to a housing chamber that houses the sensor, a second pump that supplies a second gas for desorbing the odorant from the adsorption film to the housing chamber, and a control device including a determination unit that measures the odorant based on information on an output signal of the sensor in a desorption process in which the odorant is desorbed from the adsorption film, and a control unit that sequentially executes a first mode in which the first gas is supplied to the housing chamber and a second mode in which the second gas is supplied to the housing chamber and the odorant is measured by the determination unit.