Optical Gas Sensor Self-Diagnosis During Normal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared gas sensors face challenges in ensuring accuracy of gas detection due to separate self-examination processes, which complicate device configuration and may not detect abnormalities during normal operation, and require additional components for self-examination.
Innovation Solution
An optical gas sensor device that integrates a light source, optical filter, and light receiver to detect infrared rays, with a signal processor that calculates gas concentration and compares it to predetermined thresholds to determine the device's state, simplifying the configuration and ensuring accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate self-examination mechanisms are added to infrared gas sensors, then reliability of malfunction detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the self-examination function with the normal gas detection function by using the same light source, optical filter, and light receiver for both purposes. The controller switches between self-examination mode (measuring light receiver output without target gas) and detection mode (measuring with target gas), eliminating the need for separate examination mechanisms and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The light source and light receiver are designed to serve dual functions: normal infrared detection of target gas and self-examination for malfunction detection. By making these components universal, the patent avoids adding dedicated self-examination components, thereby simplifying the overall device configuration while ensuring both detection and examination capabilities
2Reliability
If dedicated self-examination components are included, then accuracy of malfunction detection is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines malfunction detection and gas detection into a single integrated system using the same optical components (light source, optical filter, light receiver). The controller performs malfunction detection by measuring the light receiver output in the absence of target gas, eliminating the need for separate examination components and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis using its own operational components without requiring external or dedicated examination equipment. The light source and light receiver serve themselves by providing examination data during normal operation, reducing component quantity while ensuring malfunction detection accuracy
3Reliability
If separate self-examination processes are used, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges self-examination and gas detection into a single operational framework where the same components are used for both purposes. The controller switches between examination mode and detection mode, allowing the system to maintain reliability through continuous monitoring while reducing overall power consumption by avoiding separate dedicated examination hardware that would require additional power
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 solution ensures accurate gas detection by integrating self-examination into the normal detection process, reducing device complexity, power consumption, and preventing component deterioration, while swiftly detecting abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits an infrared ray to a detection target gas
Implementation Method 2
gas sensors using a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption method... many gases each absorb a specific infrared wavelength
Implementation Method 3
an optical filter that transmits an infrared ray having a wavelength corresponding to an absorption wavelength of the detection target gas
Implementation Method 4
a light receiver that detects the infrared ray entering through the optical filter and generates a detection signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical gas sensor device includes: a light source that emits an infrared ray to a detection target gas; an optical filter that transmits an infrared ray having a wavelength corresponding to an absorption wavelength of the detection target gas; a light receiver that detects the infrared ray entering through the optical filter and generates a detection signal; and a signal processor. The signal processor calculates a gas concentration of the detection target gas or a value corresponding to the gas concentration, based on the detection signal, compares the calculated gas concentration or the calculated value corresponding to the gas concentration with a predetermined threshold, and determines a state of the optical gas sensor device, based on a result of the comparison.