Pop-Up Gas Sensor Module for Contamination and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas sensors, particularly those based on film bulk acoustic resonators (FBAR), face challenges in being integrated into mobile devices like smartphones due to sensitivity to moisture, ease of contamination, and the need for continuous power and clock signals, leading to reduced lifespan and difficulty in replacement.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a pop-up mechanism that exposes a gas sensor to the outside environment only when needed, using a stylus pen form factor, and controls power and clock signal supply through conductive lines and terminals, allowing for easy replacement when degraded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas sensor is continuously exposed to the outside environment for gas sensing operations, then the sensing capability is improved, but the sensor block becomes contaminated and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor is mounted on a movable pop-up device that can dynamically change its position between exposed and retracted states. The sensor block is exposed to the outside environment only when gas sensing is needed, and retracted when not in use, allowing the system to adapt its exposure state based on operational requirements rather than being statically exposed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the gas sensor is mounted inside the electronic device, then contamination is reduced, but the sensing material cannot be exposed to gas molecules for sensing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pop-up device enables the gas sensor to transition between an inserted state (protected inside the electronic device) and a pop-up state (exposed outside). This dynamic positioning allows the sensor to be protected from contamination when not in use while being exposed to the environment when gas sensing operations are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas sensor is separated from the main electronic device body and mounted on an independent movable pop-up device. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned optimally for sensing operations while the main device remains protected, and the sensor can be easily replaced when degraded.
3Productivity
If electric power and clock signals are continuously supplied to the gas sensor, then the sensor operates continuously, but power consumption increases and the sensor lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the gas sensor operates periodically based on the pop-up device's state. Power and clock signals are supplied only when the pop-up device is in the exposed state and gas sensing is needed. When retracted, power supply is stopped, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sensing capability when required.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the gas sensor is integrated into the electronic device, then the device functionality is improved, but the sensor cannot be easily replaced when degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor is mounted on a separate movable pop-up device rather than being permanently integrated into the electronic device body. This segmentation allows the sensor to be easily removed and replaced by simply detaching the pop-up device, while still providing full sensing functionality when the pop-up device is in the exposed state.
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 prevents contamination, reduces power consumption, extends the gas sensor's lifespan, and allows for easy replacement, enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of gas sensing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant characteristic of the FBAR varies depending on the coated material
Implementation Method 2
a sensing material that is sensitive to moisture and gas needs to be exposed to the outside and combined with gas molecules
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a pop-up device configured to be inserted into a main body of the electronic device in an inserted state, including a gas sensor including a sensor block for sensing a gas, and configured to expose the sensor block to an outer portion of the electronic device in a pop-up state; a power supplier arranged on an outer portion of the pop-up device, configured to supply electric power to the gas sensor; and a connection controller configured to control a connection state of the pop-up device, to block supply of electric power to the gas sensor when the pop-up device is in the inserted state and to supply electric power to the gas sensor when the pop-up device is in the pop-up state, including one or more terminals formed on the pop-up device that move together with the pop-up device when the pop-up device moves.