Uncooled Sensor Optical Gas Detection Without Mechanical Actuators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The remote optical gas detection device with multiple driving mechanisms is complex, costly, and prone to failures, limiting its installation sites and increasing maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection device using an uncooled image sensor with a filter and a processor that corrects image data to detect the presence or absence of a target object by comparing data with and without the filter, eliminating the need for complex driving mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cooled sensor is used in an optical gas detection device, then detection sensitivity and response speed are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to the required cooling device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive cooled sensors with cheaper uncooled sensors that have shorter operational lifespan or require more frequent calibration. This substitution eliminates the complex cooling device while maintaining acceptable detection performance through cost-effective alternative components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the uncooled sensor through software-based calibration and correction algorithms. By adjusting detection thresholds, compensation factors, and processing parameters, the system achieves improved detection sensitivity without requiring physical cooling mechanisms
2Device complexity
If an uncooled sensor is used in an optical gas detection device, then device simplicity and compactness are improved, but pixel characteristic variations increase due to manufacturing process tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system captures reference images of a uniform target, analyzes pixel-by-pixel variations, and automatically generates correction coefficients. These coefficients are stored and applied during normal operation to compensate for manufacturing variations in uncooled sensor pixels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration during the manufacturing process or initial setup phase. Correction coefficients for each pixel are calculated and stored in advance based on reference measurements, so that when the device is deployed, the pixel variations are already compensated without requiring real-time adjustment mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If multiple driving mechanisms are added to an optical gas detection device for black body positioning and filter driving, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity, manufacturing cost, and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical driving mechanisms for black body positioning and filter driving from the system. Instead of using mechanical actuators to physically move components, the invention uses software-controlled image processing and digital signal manipulation to achieve the same detection functionality without moving parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical driving systems with electronic and software-based solutions. Rather than using motors and mechanical linkages to position the black body and drive filters, the system uses digital image processing, electronic shuttering, and software-controlled wavelength selection to achieve gas detection with no mechanical moving parts
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 configuration allows for accurate detection of gases while reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs, simplifying the device structure, and minimizing component failures.
Implementation Method 1
an uncooled image sensor 20 with a plurality of pixels that convert light from a detection region into electricity
Implementation Method 2
a filter 30 that eliminates light in a wavelength range that is influenced by the detection target object
Implementation Method 3
optical gas detection devices that utilize the optical absorption property peculiar to gasses... image data in which the wavelengths influenced by the gas (for example, wavelengths absorbed or emitted by the gas) are cut with a filter
Implementation Method 4
radiated electromagnetic waves based on the temperature on the object surface is referred to as black body radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
In order to accurately detect a subject to be detected and reduce manufacturing or maintenance costs, this optical detection device determines whether there is a subject to be detected by determining a correction coefficient for correcting data from an image captured by a capturing sensor through a filter unit with an image data estimation value from when an image is captured without the filter unit, and comparing an image data estimation value obtained through correction using the correction coefficient from the image data with captured data obtained by capturing a detection area in a state where the filter unit is not in front of the capturing sensor.