Odor Discrimination via Vector Length Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing odor discriminating apparatuses face errors in evaluating slight differences in odor quality due to non-linear sensor output relationships, particularly when discriminating between similar samples like teas or coffees, as they rely on approximations with only three points, leading to discrepancies with organoleptic evaluations.
Innovation Solution
An odor discriminating apparatus with a measurement chamber containing multiple odor sensors, a gas introducer, a concentration adjuster, and a controller that maintains a constant vector length by diluting or condensing sample gases to reduce the influence of concentration differences and non-linearity, allowing for accurate evaluation of odor qualities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional odor discriminating apparatus uses only three-point approximation for non-linear sensor calibration, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates when discriminating slight odor quality differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple calibration curves corresponding to different vector lengths before actual measurement. When measuring, the system selects and applies the appropriate pre-computed calibration curve based on the actual vector length, avoiding real-time complex calculations while maintaining high precision for slight odor quality differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the calibration parameter from a fixed three-point approximation to multiple calibration curves parameterized by vector length. By adapting the calibration curve selection to the actual vector length parameter, the system achieves accurate compensation for non-linear sensor responses across different concentration ranges, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If odor sensors operate across wide concentration ranges, then adaptability to different sample concentrations is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-linear sensor responses
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the evaluation parameter from raw sensor signals to normalized vectors with unit length. By transforming the multi-dimensional sensor signals into normalized vectors, the system eliminates the influence of concentration magnitude while preserving odor quality information, enabling precise odor quality evaluation across wide concentration ranges despite non-linear sensor responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from evaluating odor quality directly in the concentration-dependent sensor signal space to evaluating in a normalized vector space. This dimensional transformation separates odor quality (direction) from concentration (magnitude), allowing the system to maintain adaptability to different concentrations while achieving precision in odor quality discrimination.
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 enables precise evaluation of slight changes and differences in odor qualities by minimizing the impact of concentration variations and non-linear sensor outputs, resulting in more accurate measurements with reduced influence from memory effects and non-linearity.
Implementation Method 1
a concentration adjuster for diluting or condensing the sample gas before introducing the sample gas into the measurement chamber
Implementation Method 2
a condensation unit for condensing the sample gas
Data Source
AI summary
An odor discriminating apparatus includes: a measurement chamber including multiple pieces of odor sensors; a gas introducer for introducing a sample gas into the measurement chamber; concentration adjuster for diluting or condensing the sample gas before introducing the sample gas into the measurement chamber; a vector length computation unit for plotting, in a multidimensional space formed by axes corresponding to detection signals generated by each piece of odor sensors, a measurement point representing a measurement result of the sample gas and for computing a vector length of an odor vector directed from an origin of the multidimensional space to the measurement point; and a controller for feedback-controlling the concentration adjuster so that the vector length computed by the vector length computation unit reaches a predetermined target value.