UV Sensor with Interdigitated Electrodes for Flame Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ultraviolet (UV) sensors for flame detection are fragile, complex, and expensive, limiting their integration with smoke detectors in commercial and residential safety applications.
Innovation Solution
A UV radiation sensor design featuring interdigitated comb electrodes with UV-sensitive materials like tin oxide, zinc tin oxide, or magnesium zinc oxide, where the electrodes are separated by a layer of UV-sensitive material, allowing UV radiation to pass through while enhancing sensitivity and reducing costs through a layered structure and transparent electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional UV sensor designs are used, then flame detection capability is achieved, but the sensor becomes fragile, complex, and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into distinct functional layers: UV-sensitive material layer, transparent electrode layer, and substrate layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying manufacturing while improving overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent electrode material serves as an intermediary between the UV radiation source and the UV-sensitive material. This intermediary allows UV radiation to pass through while providing necessary electrical connection, eliminating the need for complex opaque electrode structures
2Reliability
If traditional UV sensor designs are used, then flame detection is possible, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the electrode material by selecting transparent conductive materials that allow UV radiation to pass through. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex multi-layer optical structures, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor uses composite material structures combining transparent electrode materials with UV-sensitive materials. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each material to achieve both high detection accuracy and cost-effective manufacturing
3Measurement precision
If opaque electrodes are used to block visible light, then selectivity improves, but UV radiation transmission decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode material is selected to have different optical properties at different wavelengths: it appears opaque to visible light (blocking stray light for better selectivity) but is transparent to UV radiation (allowing signal transmission). This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between selectivity and transmission
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 design improves the performance and reduces the manufacturing cost of UV sensors, enabling more effective and affordable integration in safety applications by increasing sensitivity and allowing for various shapes and forms, including curved and planar configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation sensitive material configured to be sensitive to one or more wavelengths of radiation, wherein the radiation is ultraviolet radiation (UV)
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B
Figure 3
AI summary
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ultraviolet radiation (UV) sensor includes a UV sensitive material and a first electrode and a second electrode connected in series through the UV sensitive material such that UV radiation can reach the UV sensitive material. The UV sensitive material can include at least one of zinc tin oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium zinc oxide, or zinc oxide. The electrodes can be interdigitated comb electrodes.