Integrated Photo-Acoustic Gas Sensor Module Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop compact, miniaturized photo-acoustic gas sensors that can be easily integrated into various devices while maintaining effectiveness in detecting hazardous gases, as existing gas detection technologies face limitations in size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A photo-acoustic gas sensor design featuring a substrate with a light emitter unit and a detector unit, including a microphone, where the light emitter emits pulses with a predetermined frequency and wavelength corresponding to the gas's absorption band, and the detector receives signals oscillating with the repetition frequency, allowing for compact integration and efficient gas detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gas detection technologies are used, then gas detection effectiveness is maintained, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light emitter and detector units onto a single substrate, integrating multiple functional components into a compact configuration. This merging approach maintains gas detection effectiveness while significantly reducing the overall device volume compared to traditional separate-component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector unit is positioned to receive light pulses that traverse through the gas accommodation area, creating a nested spatial arrangement where the detection path is integrated within the compact sensor structure. This nesting enables efficient use of space while preserving detection capability.
2Reliability
If traditional gas detection technologies are used, then gas detection effectiveness is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the light emitter and detector units on a common substrate with shared structural components, the patent reduces the number of separate parts and interconnections required, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining detection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the light emitter unit, supports the detector unit, and provides the structural framework for the gas accommodation area. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, simplifying the device.
3Volume of stationary object
If compact sensor design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but integration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter and detector units are designed to be mounted on a common substrate with standardized interfaces, enabling modular assembly that simplifies manufacturing despite the compact size. The integrated design allows for streamlined production processes compared to assembling multiple separate 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
This design enables the creation of compact, efficient gas sensors that can detect gases effectively, addressing the need for miniaturization and ease of integration into smaller devices, while providing accurate detection of gases like CO2, NOx, H2O, O2, N2, CH4, or alcohol.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter configured to emit a beam of light pulses with a predetermined repetition frequency and wavelength corresponding to an absorption band of a gas to be sensed
Implementation Method 2
a detector unit including a microphone, wherein the beam of light pulses traverses an area intended to accommodate the gas and the microphone can receive a signal oscillating with the repetition frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A photo-acoustic gas sensor is disclosed. The photo-acoustic gas sensor includes a substrate, a light emitter unit supported by the substrate, the light emitter unit including a light emitter configured to emit a beam of light pulses with a predetermined repetition frequency and wavelength corresponding to an absorption band of a gas to be sensed, and a detector unit supported by the substrate, the detector unit including a microphone, wherein the beam of light pulses traverses an area intended to accommodate the gas and the microphone can receive a signal oscillating with the repetition frequency.