JP2008232710A - Expiration examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an expiration examination device capable of enhancing the validity of a measuring result by self-diagnosing the use limit of a sensor regardless of a portable simple examination device. <P>SOLUTION: An expiration examination device AL being a portable exclusive device is mainly constituted of an inlet pipe 2 for introducing expiration into a housing, the sensors AS1 and AS2 arranged in an expiration flow channel of expiration received through the inlet pipe 2 and a circuit board 3 having a computer circuit 20 of the expiration received through the inlet pipe 2. The sensors are constituted of the first and second sensors AS1 and AS2 of the same kind and the computer circuit 20 is operated so as to determine the use limits of the sensors AS1 and AS2 on the basis of the comparison results of the output values of two sensors to report them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable tester capable of easily measuring a breath alcohol concentration of a subject, and more particularly to a breath tester capable of reliably grasping sensor deterioration.

In recent years when drunk driving and drunk driving have been strongly screamed, alcohol testing devices intended for use by ordinary people have also been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2001-313696 A JP 2004-212217 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile phone with an alcohol detection function, and Patent Document 2 discloses a device that has a sensor unit that detects a breath alcohol concentration and digitally displays a measurement result. .

  However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, since the alcohol test section is accommodated inside the mobile phone, it is not possible to improve the performance of the alcohol test section due to the narrow storage space. It seems that it can be used only for inspection.

  In the first place, the alcohol sensor deteriorates with the increase in the number of times of use, no matter how accurate the sensor is. Therefore, the validity of the measurement result and judgment result is not required unless a device configuration based on this point is adopted. Is not guaranteed and does not have its original meaning as an inspection device. In this regard, in the invention of Patent Document 2, sensor degradation is not considered at all. Therefore, the breath alcohol concentration cannot be accurately measured and there is a risk of erroneous determination.

  Here, it may be possible to guarantee the correctness of the inspection results by limiting the number of uses and the period of use, but the progress of sensor degradation largely depends on the suitability of the method of use, so the number of uses and the period of use Management based solely on is not appropriate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is a breathable test that can improve the validity of a measurement result by self-diagnosis of the sensor usage limit while being a portable and simple tester. It is an object to provide a vessel.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an introduction unit arranged to receive exhalation inside a housing, a sensor arranged in an exhalation flow path of exhalation received in the introduction unit, and an output of the sensor A breath tester that is a portable dedicated device, the sensor being composed of a first sensor and a second sensor of the same type, and the computer circuit is Based on the comparison result of the output values of the two sensors, the operation limit is determined and notified. Here, the same type of sensor may be a sensor having the same characteristics or a sensor having superior or inferior sensitivity.

  Preferably, the introduction portion is provided with a first introduction path that extends substantially straight and a second introduction path that branches off from the first introduction path, and at each end of the first introduction path and the second introduction path, One sensor and a second sensor are respectively arranged. Here, it is preferable that the first introduction path and the second introduction path are provided so as to be aligned on substantially the same horizontal plane, or that the second introduction path is provided upward in the vertical direction of the first introduction path. It is. The second introduction path includes a case where the path length of the flow path is substantially zero.

  In the former case where the first introduction path and the second introduction path are provided substantially aligned on a horizontal plane, the exhalation flow path to the first sensor is substantially more than the exhalation flow path to the second sensor. It is effective to set it short. In this case, it is effective to use the first sensor as the main sensor by arranging the first sensor at the optimum position, and to use the second sensor as the sub sensor that is not in the optimum position but delays the progress of deterioration.

  On the other hand, in the latter case where the second introduction path is provided in the vertical upward direction of the first introduction path, the subject's saliva and high-humidity breath are hardly introduced into the second introduction path. The exhalation flow path leading to the second sensor can be set shorter than the exhalation flow path leading to the first sensor. In an extreme case, it is allowed to make the exhalation flow path of the second introduction path substantially zero and to arrange the second sensor on the inner periphery of the first introduction path.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a breath tester that is a portable and simple tester, but that can self-diagnose the sensor usage limit and increase the validity of the measurement result.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. FIG. 1 illustrates the appearance of the alcohol tester AL of the present invention. In addition, the broken line part has shown the member arrange | positioned inside the alcohol tester AL. FIG. 2 shows the alcohol tester in a decomposed state.

  The alcohol tester AL includes a pair of first casing 1a and second casing 1b fitted to each other, an introduction pipe 2 disposed on the upper side inside the alcohol tester AL, and the vicinity of the inner center of the alcohol tester AL. It is comprised centering on the sensor board | substrate 3 arrange | positioned. The introduction pipe 2 is dropped between the first casing 1a and the second casing 1b from the upper side, and is arranged so that the tip end portion appears from the first casing 1a and the second casing 1b. And the cover 4 is arrange | positioned so that the upper part of the inlet tube 2, the 1st housing | casing 1a, and the 2nd housing | casing 1b may be covered.

  On the base end side of the cover 4, two exhaust grooves 4a for exhausting exhaled air are formed. On the upper base end side of the sensor substrate 3, a main sensor 5a and a sub sensor 5b for measuring alcohol concentration and wind pressure are arranged in alignment from the front side to the back side. The main sensor 5a and the sub sensor 5b are fitted to the proximal end portion of the introduction tube 2 bent in an L shape (see FIG. 3C).

  A decorative board 6 is attached from the center to the lower side of the tip side of the alcohol tester AL. Two batteries 7 and 7 and a USB connector 8 capable of outputting test results to the outside are provided on the lower side inside the alcohol tester AL. The bottom of the alcohol tester AL is closed with a lid 9.

  A 7-segment LED display unit 10, an LED lamp group 11, and an operation start switch SW for starting an alcohol concentration test are provided on the front surface of the first housing 1a.

  3A and 3B illustrate the introduction pipe 2, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a right side view, FIG. 3C is a front view, and FIG. The broken line portion indicates the flow path of exhalation. As shown in FIG. 3, the introduction pipe 2 is composed of a first introduction pipe 2a and a second introduction pipe 2b, and the second introduction pipe 2b is branched from the first introduction pipe 2a in the vicinity of the center in the length direction. H-shaped. A tapered portion 12 is provided at the distal end portion of the introduction pipe 2 so as to be engaged with a fitting groove (not shown) formed on the upper distal end side of the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b. On the lower side of the introduction tube 2, two ridges 13 and 13 are formed in parallel along the length direction of the introduction tube 2 to be sandwiched and fixed to the sensor substrate 3. The base end portions of the first introduction pipe 2a and the second introduction pipe 2b are bent downward in an L-shape, and the main sensor 5a and the sub sensor 5b corresponding to the first introduction pipe 2a and the second introduction pipe 2b are viewed from above. It is formed to cover. In addition, at the base end portions of the first introduction pipe 2a and the second introduction pipe 2b, a partition plate 14 having a minute hole 15 formed in the center is provided in order to narrow the breath flow path to the main sensor 5a and the sub sensor 5b. ing. And the exhaust port 16 for discharging | emitting exhaled air is formed in the upper part of the base end part of the 1st inlet tube 2a and the 2nd inlet tube 2b. The exhaust port 16 communicates with two exhaust grooves 4 a provided in the cover 4.

The main sensor 5a is configured integrally with the alcohol sensor AS1 and the wind sensor HU, and the sub sensor 5b is configured only with the alcohol sensor AS2. The alcohol sensors AS1 and AS2 are not particularly limited as long as they have the same characteristics, but in this embodiment, gas (ethanol in this case) undergoes an adsorption reaction on the surface of the oxide semiconductor to change the electrical resistance. “Surface-controlled semiconductor gas sensor” is used. Note that an n-type semiconductor such as SnO ₂ or ZnO is used as the oxide semiconductor.

  Since the surface-controlled semiconductor gas sensor needs to be heated to a predetermined temperature, a heater circuit HT is provided in the vicinity of the alcohol sensors AS1 and AS2, and the alcohol sensors AS1 and AS2 reach a predetermined temperature. The alcohol concentration is measured.

  In this embodiment, the first alcohol sensor AS1 is arranged at the end of the first introduction pipe 2a as the main sensor 5a and at a position for capturing exhaled breath at an optimum position. On the other hand, the second alcohol sensor AS2 is disposed at the end of the branched second introduction pipe 2b as the sub sensor 5b. Therefore, the alcohol sensor AS2 cannot accurately measure the alcohol concentration of the subject, but on the other hand, the subject's saliva and sigh condensation are less likely to adhere, and the progress of deterioration is slower than that of the alcohol sensor AS1. . Therefore, in this embodiment, the first and second sensor outputs are always compared, and the deterioration of the alcohol sensor AS1 is determined based on the comparison result. If the deterioration is found, the alcohol sensor AS1 is replaced with the alcohol sensor AS2.

  On the other hand, the wind sensor HU is a sensor that detects that the subject blows the breath on the alcohol sensor AS1, and the outputs of the alcohol sensors AS1 and AS2 are acquired in accordance with the timing when the output signal from the wind sensor HU changes. The A humidity sensor may be provided instead of or in addition to the wind sensor HU.

  The power switch SW also serves as a test start and end switch, and functions as a power-on switch when the alcohol tester AL is powered off. On the other hand, after the power is turned on, the subject functions as a test start switch that instructs the alcohol tester AL to start the test operation.

  The 7-segment LED display unit 10 is a part that numerically displays the inspection result. When the inspection data cannot be normally acquired, an error notification to that effect is executed. The LED lamp group 11 indicates a power lamp PWR indicating a power-on state, a ready lamp RDY indicating that the alcohol sensor AS has reached a predetermined temperature by turning on the inspection start switch SW, and indicating that the inspection process has been completed normally. It consists of a normal lamp OK. When the inspection process is completed normally, the ready lamp RDY is turned off and the normal lamp OK is turned on. However, if the alcohol test cannot be performed successfully, the ready lamp RDY remains turned on and the normal lamp OK flashes. ing. Therefore, when the normal lamp OK is blinking, the subject presses the switch SW again and re-executes the inspection process.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the alcohol tester AL. This alcohol tester AL is a concentration that measures the alcohol concentration in the subject's breath in response to an analog signal from a microcontroller MCU (microcontroller) 20 that supervises the entire operation of the test process, the alcohol sensors AS1, AS2, and the wind sensor HU. A detection circuit 21, an LED circuit 22 that drives the LED lamp group 11, a switch circuit 23 that receives an instruction signal from the inspection start switch SW that also serves as a power switch, a power circuit that includes two batteries 7, and an external device such as a general-purpose personal computer It comprises a USB circuit 24 that can output a test result to the device, and a 7-segment LED display unit 10.

  The microcontroller 20 includes an A / D converter 201 that converts an analog signal received from the concentration detection circuit 21 into a digital signal, a first output port 202 that outputs drive data to the LED circuit 22, and an operation from the switch circuit 23. The first input port 203 that receives the start signal, the second output port 204 that outputs drive data to the 7-segment LED display unit 10, the serial port 205 that outputs detection data to the USB circuit 24, and the operation of each of the above-described units The CPU 200 is controlled, the ROM 206 stores a control program that defines the operation content of the CPU 200, and the RAM 207 is a work area or a storage area in the control operation of the CPU 200.

  FIG. 5 shows the connection relationship between the micro control unit 20 and the USB circuit 24 in more detail. Specifically, the serial port 205 is composed of a UART (Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) circuit and exhibits a general-purpose serial transmission / reception function. On the other hand, the USB circuit 24 is specifically realized by a USB-UART data transfer IC (USB to UART data transfer) such as CP2101 (CYGNAL), and as illustrated, a UART circuit, a USB function controller, and a USB The communication unit, the oscillation unit, and the memory unit are built in. Accordingly, the alcohol tester AL can be connected to an external device having a built-in USB controller via the connector 8. In response to a command from an external device, the test result such as the alcohol concentration is output through the path of the serial port 205 → the USB circuit 24 → the connector 8.

  Then, the usage method of the alcohol tester AL which consists of the above structure is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the alcohol tester AL.

  When the test subject presses the power switch SW of the alcohol tester AL until a short electronic sound is heard, energization to the heater HT is started, and the heating operation of the alcohol sensors AS1 and AS2 is started (ST1). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 200 drives the LED circuit 22 to turn on the ready lamp RDY (ST2).

  On the other hand, in response to the lighting operation of the ready lamp RDY, the subject inserts the mouthpiece 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 into the introduction tube 2 and blows exhalation into the introduction tube 2. The exhaled breath that has been blown flows through the first introduction pipe 2a and the second introduction pipe 2b and flows into the main sensor 5a and the sub sensor 5b.

  In response to this operation, the CPU 200 continuously acquires the outputs of the main sensor 5a and the sub sensor 5b at a sampling time interval for a predetermined time and stores them in the memory (RAM 207). That is, the signal of the alcohol sensor AS1, the signal of the wind sensor HU, and the output signal of the alcohol sensor AS2 that have measured the exhaled breath are continuously stored in the memory synchronously (ST3).

  After acquiring a group of inspection data in this way, the CPU 200 checks the wind power data and detects the timing of whether the wind power is significantly rising (ST4). If a significant increase in wind power is recognized, it can be determined that the exhalation operation has been executed correctly, and the alcohol concentration LV1 detected by the alcohol sensor AS1 at this timing is calculated and stored in the memory (ST5). At the same timing, the alcohol concentration LV2 detected by the alcohol sensor AS2 as the sub sensor 5b is calculated and stored in the memory (ST5).

  On the other hand, when detecting an abnormal situation such as no significant increase in wind power, the CPU 200 drives the LED circuit 22 and blinks the OK lamp to instruct the subject to perform a reexamination ( ST6). The LED display unit 10 displays that effect (ST6).

  Next, the CPU 200 calculates a sensor output ratio (= LV1 / LV2) between the alcohol concentrations LV1 and LV2 (ST7). The alcohol sensor AS1 (main sensor 5b) measures the alcohol concentration at the optimum position, while the alcohol sensor AS2 (sub sensor 5b) measures the alcohol concentration accurately by the relatively long expiratory flow path. Can not. Therefore, LV1> LV2 is always satisfied regardless of the alcohol concentration level of the subject, but it is known that the sensor output ratio LV1 / LV2 falls within a predetermined normal range as long as each sensor AS1, AS2 is normal. .

  Therefore, when the calculated sensor output ratio LV1 / LV2 is within the normal range, the CPU 200 drives the LED circuit 22 to turn off the ready lamp RDY and turn on the OK lamp (ST8). Further, the output port 205 is driven, and the alcohol concentration calculated from the main sensor 5a is numerically displayed on the LED display unit 10, and the process is finished (ST8). The detection result of the sub sensor 5b is not displayed.

  On the other hand, when the calculated sensor output ratio LV1 / LV2 is out of the normal range, the LED display unit 10 displays that the sensor has reached the use limit, and the alcohol concentration calculated from the main sensor 5a. Is displayed as a numerical value, and the process ends (ST9).

  By repeatedly using the alcohol tester AL, the sensors AS1 and AS2 are gradually deteriorated due to dew condensation and saliva adhering. However, since the progress rate of sensor degradation is slower in the alcohol sensor AS2 than in the alcohol sensor AS1, in this embodiment, the use limit of the alcohol sensor AS1 is grasped by determining the sensor output ratio LV1 / LV2. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the introduction tube 2 is branched into the first introduction tube 2a and the second introduction tube 2b, and the sub sensor 5b is disposed at a position that is difficult to deteriorate in the exhalation of the subject. By comparing the levels, the usage limit of the main sensor can be accurately grasped.

  When the alcohol tester AL is connected to the external device through the USB cable, the CPU 200 outputs the alcohol concentrations LV1 and LV2 and the sensor output ratio (= LV1 / LV2) in response to a command from the external device. To do. For example, every time a long-distance truck driver takes a meal break, the alcohol tester AL is used, and the test data (alcohol concentrations LV1, LV2 and sensor output ratio) for each time is stored in the RAM 207. When the alcohol tester AL is connected to the external device through the USB cable after returning to the sales office, the communication program built in the ROM 206 is activated, and the test data stored in the RAM 207 is transmitted to the external device.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the first introduction path and the second introduction path are arranged on the same horizontal plane, but instead, the second introduction path (for example, the second introduction pipe) is replaced with the first introduction path. You may provide toward the orthogonal | vertical direction upward direction of an introduction path (for example, 1st introduction pipe). In this case, since the exhalation flow path leading up to the second sensor can be set shorter than the exhalation flow path leading up to the first sensor, the second sensor is arranged at the upper inner periphery of the first introduction pipe. Thus, the second introduction path can be substantially omitted.

It is a front view which shows the alcohol detector which concerns on an Example. It is drawing which illustrated the alcohol detector in the decomposition | disassembly state. It is drawing which shows an introductory tube. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the alcohol detector which concerns on an Example. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of FIG. 4 in more detail. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the alcohol detector which concerns on an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Introducing pipe AS1, AS2 Sensor 20 Computer circuit 3 Circuit board AL Breath tester

Claims (6)

The mobile phone is mainly composed of an introduction part for receiving exhalation inside the housing, a sensor arranged in an exhalation flow path of exhalation received in the introduction part, and a circuit board having a computer circuit for receiving the output of the sensor. A breath tester that is a possible dedicated device,
The sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor of the same type, and the computer circuit operates to determine and notify a use limit of the sensor based on a comparison result of output values of the two sensors. Breath tester.   The introduction part is provided with a first introduction path that extends substantially straight and a second introduction path that branches off from the first introduction path, and a first sensor is provided at each end of the first introduction path and the second introduction path. The breath tester according to claim 1, wherein a second sensor and a second sensor are respectively disposed.   The breath test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first introduction path and the second introduction path are provided so as to be aligned on substantially the same horizontal plane.   The expiration tester according to claim 3, wherein the expiration flow path leading to the first sensor is set substantially shorter than the expiration flow path leading to the second sensor.   The breath test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second introduction path is provided upward in the vertical direction of the first introduction path.   The expiration tester according to claim 5, wherein the expiration flow path leading to the second sensor is set shorter than the expiration flow path leading to the first sensor.