Wireless Near-Field Gas Sensor with Printed Electrolyte and Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless near-field gas sensor systems lack efficient integration of gas detection capabilities with wireless communication technologies, limiting their ability to reliably detect and transmit gas presence and concentration data.
Innovation Solution
A wireless near-field gas sensor system is developed, comprising a printed gas sensor with a sensor housing, electrolyte cavity, electrodes, and a resistor, integrated with a wireless communications tag and signal amplifier, enabling near-field communication and energy harvesting for real-time data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas sensors and wireless communication devices are integrated into a single system, then the ability to detect and transmit gas presence data is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas sensor and wireless communication device into a single integrated system where the gas sensor detects gas presence and the wireless communication device transmits the data. The sensor housing and electrolyte cavity are integrated with the wireless antenna and circuit board, creating a unified structure that reduces the number of separate components while maintaining detection and transmission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions within a single device: the gas sensor detects gas presence and concentration, the wireless antenna transmits data wirelessly, and the circuit board processes signals. This multi-functional design allows one device to simultaneously perform gas detection, signal processing, and wireless communication, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.
2Reliability
If a constant power supply is used to ensure continuous operation, then the operational reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation requiring constant power supply, the system uses periodic action where the wireless antenna transmits data only when gas detection occurs or at scheduled intervals. The gas sensor continuously monitors the environment, but the wireless transmission function operates periodically rather than continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining operational reliability through event-triggered communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service power management where the gas detection function automatically triggers wireless transmission without requiring constant external power. The sensor monitoring and data transmission are automatically activated by gas presence detection, eliminating the need for continuous power supply and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable operation during active detection periods.
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 system effectively detects gas presence and concentration, amplifies signals for reliable transmission, and operates without a constant power supply, enhancing monitoring capabilities for environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
the power harvesting circuit of the printed wireless communications tag is structurally configured to harvest energy from an electromagnetic field produced by the wireless reader when the wireless reader interrogates the printed wireless communications tag
Implementation Method 2
one or more electrodes positioned within the electrolyte cavity in electrochemical engagement with the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless near-field gas sensor system includes a wireless communications tag and a printed gas sensor. The wireless communications tag includes an integrated circuit and a wireless antenna. The printed gas sensor includes a sensor housing having one or more gas access regions, an electrolyte cavity positioned within the sensor housing, an electrolyte housed within the electrolyte cavity, and one or more electrodes positioned within the electrolyte cavity in electrochemical engagement with the electrolyte, and a resistor communicatively coupled to the one or more electrodes and the wireless communications tag.