Vapor Sensor With Integrated Electrode Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor sensors require separate heating elements and complex configurations for measuring analyte vapors, which complicates design and operation.
Innovation Solution
A vapor sensor design where the first conductive electrode doubles as a heating element and a capacitance-related property sensing element, utilizing a dielectric substrate with a microporous material layer between electrodes, and a switch controller for reversible electrical communication, eliminating the need for additional heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate heating elements are used in vapor sensors, then heating function is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating element and capacitance sensing electrode into a single integrated component. The first conductive electrode serves dual purposes: it functions as both the heating element that generates thermal energy and as one of the capacitance sensing electrodes that detects analyte vapor. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating elements and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first conductive electrode is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It serves as a heating element when electrical current is applied, and as a capacitance sensing electrode when voltage is applied for measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed in the sensor system.
2Temperature
If additional heating elements are added to vapor sensors, then heating capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the existing first conductive electrode structure. By utilizing the same electrode for both heating and sensing, the manufacturing process is simplified as it eliminates the need to fabricate and integrate separate heating elements, reducing both design and fabrication complexity.
3Device complexity
If the first conductive electrode serves dual purposes as heating element and sensing element, then device complexity is reduced, but electrical communication management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection to the first conductive electrode is made dynamically controllable through a switch. The switch can reversibly interrupt or establish electrical communication between the power source/capacitance meter and the first conductive electrode, allowing the system to dynamically switch between heating mode and sensing mode. This dynamic control simplifies the overall design by using a single electrode for both functions while managing the complexity of electrical communication through a simple switching mechanism.
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
Simplifies the sensor design, enhances functionality by allowing simultaneous heating and capacitance measurement, and improves sensitivity to analyte vapors without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
a heater circuit element having first and second conductive members, wherein the first and second conductive members are in reversibly interruptible electrical communication with the first and second ends of the first conductive electrode
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric layer comprising a microporous material disposed between and contacting the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode
Implementation Method 3
a capacitance-related property measurement circuit element, the capacitance-related property measurement circuit element having first and second conductive members
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor sensor includes a capacitance-related property sensor element (110), a heater circuit element (170), a capacitance-related property measurement circuit element (180), and at least one switch member (190). The capacitance-related property sensor element includes a dielectric substrate (120), a first conductive electrode (130), a second conductive electrode (140), and a layer of dielectric microporous material (150) disposed between and contacting the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode. The at least one switch member is capable of interrupting electrical communication between the first conductive electrode and the heater circuit element, and between the capacitance-related property measurement circuit element and the first conductive electrode.