Ozone Generator Sensor Reset for Odor Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art electronic noses face significant challenges in resetting sensors due to molecular retention, particularly with high-concentration odors, leading to prolonged flushing times and reduced training efficiency, making it difficult to perform multiple trainings in a single working day.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a controlled ozone flow generated on-site using an ozone generator with an anode and cathode in a point-to-plane configuration, connected to a high voltage generator, to rapidly and effectively reset sensors, eliminating the need for stored gases and carbon filters, and preventing sensor damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning gas flushing is used to reset sensors, then sensors are cleaned, but reset time becomes excessively long (several hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the cleaning gas from conventional options (air, argon, nitrogen) to ozone. This parameter change fundamentally alters the cleaning mechanism from physical flushing to chemical oxidation, enabling rapid decomposition of retained odor molecules and reducing reset time from several hours to a few minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ozone, a strong oxidant, to chemically decompose and remove odor molecules retained on sensor surfaces. This accelerated oxidation process breaks down persistent organic compounds much faster than physical flushing alone, achieving effective sensor reset in minutes rather than hours.
2Measurement precision
If high concentration odor samples are analyzed, then measurement capability is demonstrated, but sensor retention and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ozone's strong oxidizing properties to rapidly decompose and eliminate odor molecules that have been retained on sensor surfaces during high-concentration measurements. This prevents permanent contamination and enables quick restoration of sensor performance after analyzing intense odor samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of odor molecule retention into a benefit by using ozone to deliberately and rapidly induce decomposition of these retained molecules. The very retention problem that causes cleaning difficulties becomes the target of a controlled chemical treatment that quickly restores sensors.
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning gases (air, argon, nitrogen) are used, then sensors are reset, but carbon filters are required and reset is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cleaning gas from conventional inert or neutral gases to ozone, which possesses active chemical properties. This parameter change eliminates the need for carbon filters because ozone chemically decomposes odor molecules rather than requiring physical adsorption, simplifying the system while improving cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the carbon filter component from the system by replacing it with ozone-based cleaning. The chemical action of ozone makes the mechanical/physical filtration component unnecessary, simplifying the device structure while maintaining or improving sensor reset capability.
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 solution significantly reduces sensor reset time to a few dozen minutes, enabling multiple trainings per day with precise control over ozone production, ensuring efficient and reliable odor measurement and training processes.
Implementation Method 1
an ozone generator (7) designed for producing the ozone inside the apparatus (1)
Implementation Method 2
a suction device (5), designed for circulating the gas inside the apparatus (1)
Implementation Method 3
The odour molecules, being free in the air, can bond with solid receptor bodies, for example, the sensors of the measuring chamber, with more or less strong electromagnetic bonds
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an apparatus (1) for measuring odours comprising: a measuring chamber (2); an intake duct (4) having two ends, an inlet end (4a) in communication with the outside environment and an outlet end (4b) in connection with the measuring chamber; at least one sensor (3), positioned inside the measuring chamber (2) and designed for measuring the olfactory properties of a gas; a control unit (6) designed for processing signals coming from the at least one sensor (3) and providing a parameter representing the odours measured in the gas to be analysed; a suction device (5), positioned inside the intake duct (4) and designed to circulate the gas inside the apparatus (1); a cleaning device designed for restoring the characteristics of the at least one sensor (3) following a measurement, wherein the cleaning device is designed for generating ozone inside the apparatus (1).