Odor Sensor Baseline Calibration via Pre-Chamber Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing odor measurement apparatuses face challenges in accurately setting a baseline for odor sensors, leading to inaccuracies in measuring changes in odor concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a pre-chamber, pure air, and fresh air supply lines, along with valves and an odor sensor chamber, where a controller sets a baseline by sensing pure or fresh air, ensuring accurate reference values for odor measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a baseline is set using conventional odor sensors, then odor measurement can be performed, but the baseline accuracy is insufficient leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-chamber as an intermediary component between the gas source and the odor sensor chamber. This pre-chamber allows pure air or fresh air to be supplied separately before entering the sensor chamber, enabling accurate baseline setting without direct contamination from odor sources. The intermediary structure ensures that baseline measurements are taken under controlled conditions, improving both baseline accuracy and reducing measurement errors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple gas supply lines are used to improve baseline accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-chamber is designed as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it acts as a mixing chamber for pure air and fresh air, functions as a flow distribution system to the sensor chamber, and provides a controlled environment for baseline setting. By making the pre-chamber universal in its functions, the patent reduces the need for separate complex systems while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pure air supply system and fresh air supply system into a single pre-chamber structure. Instead of having separate pathways that would increase complexity, both gas sources are combined in the pre-chamber which then supplies mixed or separate flows to the sensor chamber as needed. This merging approach maintains baseline setting accuracy while simplifying the overall device structure.
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 allows for precise setting of the baseline, enhancing the accuracy of odor measurements and reducing errors in determining changes in odor concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
when odor measurement-subject gas particles are adsorbed on a surface of an electric-chemical odor sensor, odor measurement can be performed in a manner that outputs an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring an odor is capable of accurately presetting a baseline that is utilized as a reference value for an output value of an odor sensor, of computing a delta value that represents a difference between the preset baseline and an output value of the odor sensor that senses odor-measurement-subject gas, and of determining the computed delta value as a changed amount of the odor-measurement-subject gas. With the apparatus, the accuracy of odor measurement can be improved.