Portable Particle Detector with Micro Pump and Light Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas monitoring technologies are unable to accurately and portably measure the concentration of suspended particles, such as PM2.5, due to instability in gas flow and the fixed location of monitoring stations, making it difficult for individuals to assess air quality anywhere and anytime.
Innovation Solution
A portable particle detecting device with a slim base design featuring a detecting channel, beam channel, micro pump, and paraboloidal light trapping structure, which ensures stable gas flow and accurate particle detection by eliminating stray light, and is waterproof and dustproof with a protective film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed monitoring station is used for gas quality monitoring, then the monitoring location is stable, but the portability and mobility are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into a compact handheld device that can be carried and moved freely, separating the monitoring function from fixed infrastructure. The device integrates all necessary components (laser transmitter, particle sensor, micro pump, detecting channels) into a portable unit that users can carry anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective film is introduced as an intermediary component between the detecting channel inlet and the external environment. This film allows gas to pass through while blocking water and dust, enabling portable operation in various environments without compromising the internal detecting components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas flow is left unstable due to variable wind conditions, then the portability is improved, but the detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The micro pump serves the system by actively drawing gas through the detecting channel, making the system self-sufficient for gas intake. The pump creates a controlled suction flow that overrides external wind variations, ensuring stable gas flow through the detection path without requiring external assistance or fixed installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow regime from passive (wind-driven) to active (pump-driven). By introducing the micro pump, the gas flow parameters (flow rate, direction, stability) are actively controlled, transforming the flow from unstable and environment-dependent to stable and controllable, thereby improving detection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is made slim and portable, then the adaptability is improved, but the internal space for components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting channels are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the slim base. The first detecting channel extends in a first direction while the second detecting channel extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first, utilizing vertical and lateral space efficiently. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows multiple detection paths in a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are nested within each other to maximize space utilization. The laser transmitter and particle sensor are positioned at specific locations within the base, with detecting channels routing gas through compact paths. The protective film covers the inlet terminal, and the micro pump is integrated into the housing, creating a nested arrangement where each component occupies optimized space within the slim form factor.
4Productivity
If the detecting channel inlet is left open for gas intake, then the gas flow is improved, but the waterproof and dustproof performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A protective film is applied to cover the inlet terminal of the detecting channel. This thin film structure is permeable to gas molecules, allowing free gas intake, while being impermeable to liquid water and solid dust particles. The film creates a selective barrier that maintains gas flow efficiency while providing waterproof and dustproof protection for the internal detecting components.
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
Enables users to accurately monitor suspended particle concentrations anywhere, providing a reliable and portable solution for assessing air quality by ensuring stable gas flow and precise detection of PM2.5 and other suspended particles.
Implementation Method 1
The laser transmitter is positioned in the detecting-element accommodation region and is configured to transmit a projecting light source to the light trapping region through the beam channel
Implementation Method 2
the particle sensor is disposed at an orthogonal position where the detecting channel intersects the beam channel, thereby detecting a size and a concentration of suspended particles contained in a gas in the detecting channel
Implementation Method 3
The micro pump is accommodated and positioned in the micro-pump accommodation region in fluid communication with the detecting channel. The micro pump is configured to transport the gas in the detecting channel
Implementation Method 4
the light trapping structure of the light trapping region is a paraboloidal structure, and the light trapping distance between the beam channel and the position where the light trapping structure receives the projecting light source from the light transmitter is maintained to be greater than 3 mm. Accordingly, the projecting light source from the light transmitter forms a focus point on the paraboloidal light trapping structure, and the stray light being directly reflected back to the beam channel is eliminated
Data Source
AI summary
A particle detecting device is provided. The particle detecting device includes a base, a detecting element, a micro pump and a drive control board. The base includes a detecting channel, a beam channel and a light trapping region. The detecting element includes a microprocessor, a particle sensor and a laser transmitter. The particle sensor is disposed at an orthogonal position where the detecting channel intersects the beam channel. When the micro pump, the particle sensor and the laser transmitter are enabled under the control of the microprocessor, the gas outside the detecting channel is inhaled into the detecting channel. When the gas flows to the orthogonal position where the detecting channel intersects the beam channel, the gas is irradiated by the projecting light source from the laser transmitter, and projecting light spots generated are projected on the particle sensor for detecting the size and the concentration of suspended particles.