Odour Sensor Airflow Channel Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment devices are inefficient and inconvenient, requiring manual mode switching and lacking adaptive capabilities to changes in the surrounding environment, with odour sensors being unreliable for mass commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing, electrical heating means, and an airborne agent detector, featuring a second airflow channel and a filter membrane to isolate the detector from potential contamination, allowing for dynamic adjustment of air treatment agent release based on environmental conditions, using a metal oxide semiconductor odour sensor with power pulsing to optimize energy consumption and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an odour sensor is included to detect malodour and trigger air treatment agent emission, then the device becomes adaptive to environmental changes, but the device suffers from sensitivity and reliability issues that render it unsuitable for mass commercialization
Solution Approach 1:
A second airflow channel is introduced as an intermediary structure between the odour sensor and the air treatment agent emission path. This channel allows air to pass through the sensor for detection while preventing direct contact between the sensor and the emitted air treatment agents, thereby maintaining sensor reliability while preserving adaptability to environmental changes
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow path is segmented into separate channels: one for air intake through the odour sensor and another for air treatment agent emission. This segmentation isolates the sensor from the emission pathway, preventing contamination and false triggers while maintaining the device's ability to detect and respond to environmental odours
2Device complexity
If manual mode switching is required to control evaporation rate, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inefficient switching process
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically adjusts its operation mode based on odour sensor detection without requiring manual intervention. When malodour is detected, the system self-activates the air treatment agent emission, and when the environment is clean, it automatically returns to normal evaporation mode, eliminating the need for users to manually switch between modes
3Measurement precision
If the odour sensor is exposed directly to air flow, then the measurement precision is improved, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to contamination and false triggers
Solution Approach 1:
The second airflow channel serves as a protective intermediary that allows odour molecules to reach the sensor for precise detection while blocking direct exposure to contaminants and emitted air treatment agents, thus maintaining both measurement precision and sensor reliability
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 device efficiently and adaptively releases air treatment agents, improving convenience and reliability by dynamically responding to environmental changes while minimizing energy consumption and preventing detector contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a heater is located in the vicinity of the upper end of the wick to accelerate the evaporation of volatile liquid from the wick
Implementation Method 2
electrical heating means within said housing
Implementation Method 3
using a metal oxide semiconductor odour sensor with power pulsing to optimize energy consumption and sensitivity
Implementation Method 4
a filter membrane to isolate the detector from potential contamination
Implementation Method 5
chimney means within said housing having a lower orifice and an upper orifice to define a first airflow channel therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A device for evaporating a volatile air treatment agent from a replaceable refill is described herein, the device comprises: a housing with at least one exit orifice for evaporated air treatment agent to exit the device; receiving means within said housing to releasably receive and secure the refill to the device; electrical heating means within said housing;control means; and chimney means within said housing having a lower orifice and an upper orifice to define a first airflow channel therebetween; an airborne agent detector means operable to detect airborne agents in the air, wherein said means are provided with at least one aperture to the exterior of the device to permit, in use, air from outside of the device to enter said airborne agent detector means; wherein the refill for use with the device comprises: a reservoir portion for holding a quantity of volatile air treatment agent; and a wick having a proximal end within the reservoir portion substantially adjacent a base of said reservoir portion and having a distal end extending above the reservoir portion; and wherein the device is configured such that, in use, the securing means are adapted to hold the refill such that the distal end of the wick is located within the chimney means; characterized in that a second airflow channel is provided between said at least one aperture of the airborne agent detector means and said exit orifice.