Multi-sensor Gas Detector Parallel Flow Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-sensor gas detector systems face challenges due to non-uniform gas flow rates, pressures, and the effects of one sensor on neighboring sensors, leading to inaccurate and less robust gas detection.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly is designed with a substrate and a disk that provides parallel gas flow to multiple sensors, ensuring uniform gas distribution and minimizing the impact of one sensor on others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If serial gas flow is used in multi-sensor gas detector systems, then the structure is simpler, but the sensor reading accuracy deteriorates due to non-uniform flow rate, pressure, and interference between sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow path is segmented into multiple independent parallel channels, with each channel leading to a separate sensor. This segmentation ensures that each sensor receives gas independently, eliminating interference between sensors while maintaining uniform flow characteristics across all sensing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional serial flow path to a two-dimensional parallel flow network. By distributing gas flow across multiple simultaneous pathways rather than a single sequential path, the system achieves uniform pressure and flow rate at each sensor inlet, resolving the accuracy issue while keeping the overall structure manageable.
2Measurement precision
If parallel gas flow is used to improve sensor reading accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple flow lines and distribution channels
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual flow channels are merged into a single integrated manifold structure. This combining approach allows the system to provide independent parallel flow paths to each sensor while using a unified distribution mechanism, thereby reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes gas to multiple sensors, maintains uniform flow rates, equalizes pressure across all channels, and provides a compact integrated design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If sensors are mounted in a rear part of the sensor assembly, then more sensors can be accommodated, but the sensor reading accuracy deteriorates due to non-uniform flow distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality optimization by ensuring that each sensing location, regardless of its position in the assembly, receives gas with identical flow characteristics and pressure conditions through the parallel channel design. This localized uniformity allows multiple sensors to be accommodated without compromising the accuracy of any individual sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments described herein relate to a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a substrate and a disk for providing parallel gas flow to a plurality of sensing dies. The substrate defines a plurality of openings and an inlet conduit. The plurality of openings is adapted to receive at least one sensing die of the plurality of sensing dies. The inlet conduit is defined between a first end of the substrate and a second end of the substrate. The first end of the substrate is adapted to receive an inflow of a gas. The disk is adapted to be positioned below the substrate so that a top portion of the disk is exposed to the second end of the inlet conduit and the disk defines a passage for the gas to uniformly flow from the second end to a sensor head of the at least one sensing die.