Photo-acoustic Gas Sensor Module Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for compact, miniaturized gas sensors that can be easily integrated into various devices and instruments, while maintaining effectiveness in detecting hazardous gases, as existing gas detection technologies face challenges in size reduction and ease of mounting.
Innovation Solution
The development of a photo-acoustic gas sensor module that includes a light emitter and detector unit, where the light pulses modulated at a specific frequency are used to detect gases by measuring the absorption-induced pressure pulses, with the sensor housed in a compact configuration on ceramic or printed circuit board substrates, and optionally using a reference gas to enhance sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If gas detectors are miniaturized to reduce space consumption, then compactness is improved, but mounting complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light emitter and detector into a single integrated sensor unit that can be mounted as one component. The emitter and detector are positioned in close proximity within the same housing, allowing the entire gas detection function to be implemented in a compact form factor while simplifying mounting procedures compared to separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can be integrated into various devices and instruments. The compact design incorporates multiple functions (light emission, light detection, signal processing) into a single module that can be easily incorporated into existing apparatuses of different types.
2Volume of moving object
If the sensor components are integrated into a compact module, then space consumption is reduced, but the complexity of internal arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is divided into distinct functional sections: an emitter unit with light-emitting components, a detector unit with light-sensing components, and a housing that contains both. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness through their integrated arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement within the compact housing, positioning the emitter and detector at different locations and orientations. The housing may contain the components in a stacked or angular configuration rather than a simple linear arrangement, efficiently utilizing internal space while maintaining functional performance.
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 enables the detection of gases with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for compact integration into smaller devices while maintaining effective gas detection capabilities, addressing the need for miniaturization and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
photo-acoustic gas sensor module that includes a light emitter and detector unit, where the light pulses modulated at a specific frequency are used to detect gases by measuring the absorption-induced pressure pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A photo-acoustic gas sensor includes a light emitter unit having a light emitter configured to emit a beam of light pulses with a predetermined repetition frequency and a wavelength corresponding to an absorption band of a gas to be sensed, and a detector unit having a microphone. The light emitter unit is arranged so that the beam of light pulses traverses an area configured to accommodate the gas. The detector unit is arranged so that the microphone can receive a signal oscillating with the repetition frequency.