JPH10267874A - Gas detector and air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a function of displaying output corresponding to the amount of gas by providing a display function which continuously changes in correspondence with the output of a gas sensor or a plurality of lightening display functions. SOLUTION: A gas-sensitive element 1 is combined with a gassensitive element 2 with equal dependency on temperature and humidity and different gas sensitivity characteristics to offset each temperature-humidity dependency. By this, it is possible to reduce the effect of temperature and humidity and to display absolute values. The gas-sensitive elements 1 and 2 are arranged on the same substrate with a heater. The output of the gas-sensitive elements 1 and 2 is derived from upper electrode deriving parts 3 and 4 respectively, and the lower electrode deriving part 5 is in common use for the gas-sensitive elements 1 and 2. A liquid crystal display in which output levels change according to sensor output or an LED display in which a plurality of LEDs are lighted up according to output levels is used as a display. In this way, it is possible to detect minute quantities of gas in the air such as cigarette smoke, various unpleasant smell, exhaust gases and to display their detected levels visually.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a gas detecting device having a function of detecting dirt on air and displaying the level of the dirt, and a gas removing device receiving and driving a signal from the detecting device. It concerns equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many devices have been put into practical use as means for realizing comfort in a living space. For example, air purifiers that operate by detecting smoke or dust from cigarettes, air conditioners such as ventilation fans and air conditioners that constantly exhaust and circulate air in the living space to maintain a clean state, and to remove various unpleasant odors There is a device for generating a certain kind of fragrance. Means for detecting gas components in the atmosphere include, for example, flammable gas sensors that detect leakage of city gas, LP gas, etc., carbon monoxide sensors that detect carbon monoxide generated by incomplete combustion, and air purifiers. Gas sensors for detecting cigarette smoke and the like mounted on such devices have been put to practical use. However, in the former case, it detects high concentrations of gas components generated in the event of gas leakage or incomplete combustion, etc., and accurately detects minute amounts of unpleasant odors and carbon monoxide generated in ordinary living environments. I can't. Gas sensors installed in air purifiers and the like can detect very small amounts of gas components such as cigarette smoke, but are susceptible to various interference gases and temperature and humidity. Dirt is detected by the change or change rate, and the dirt of the atmosphere is not judged by the absolute value. Further, the fact that the sensor output in a clean atmosphere changes due to a change over time is also one of the reasons why a trace amount of gas in the atmosphere cannot be accurately detected by an absolute value.

As described above, in the prior art, a very small amount of gas component in the atmosphere is detected, and an output corresponding to the amount of the component is displayed, so that the inexpensive and maintenance-free operation is required for the consumer to recognize the dirt of the environment. There were no devices.

Further, in the conventional gas detection device, a gas sensor is incorporated in the detection device, and when a gas source and a purifier or a ventilation fan as a device for removing the gas are installed separately, gas is generated. After that, there is a problem that it takes time until the gas removing device operates. In addition, when the sensor, its output display device, and the gas removal device are integrated, if the gas removal device is installed at a position away from the user, there is the inconvenience that the dirt in the atmosphere cannot always be easily recognized. Was.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in such a background, and detects a gas as an absolute value corresponding to a very small amount of a gas component such as tobacco, exhaust gas and various unpleasant odors. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gas detection device having an output display function corresponding to the amount of the gas. Further, a gas removal system that realizes optimal operating conditions by providing a gas detection device with a signal transmission unit for driving the device by gas detection in an air conditioner as a gas removal device that is separately installed is provided. It is intended for that purpose.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas detection device having a heater for heating and having a plurality of gas sensor elements, which continuously changes according to the output of the gas sensor. This is achieved by a gas detection device having a display function or two or more lighting display functions. Further, the present invention is achieved by a gas detection device having means for transmitting a signal to a drive circuit of an air conditioner at a position distant from the installation position of the gas detection device in accordance with the output of the gas sensor. Further, the present invention is achieved by a gas detection device using infrared rays as a means for transmitting a signal. Further, the present invention is achieved by a gas detection device wherein infrared rays as means for transmitting a signal are intermittently transmitted.

Next, the above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by an air conditioner characterized by having a gas removing device that receives and drives a signal from a gas detecting device. Also,
This is achieved by an air conditioner characterized by receiving infrared rays intermittently transmitted from a gas detection device and driving only when a signal conforming to a predetermined condition is received.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A conventional gas sensor has a large dependence on temperature and humidity and its output level fluctuates, so that it is not possible to provide a means for displaying an output signal of a very small amount of gas component as an absolute value. Accordingly, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a first gas-sensitive element 1 is combined with a second gas-sensitive element 2 having the same temperature and humidity dependency as the first gas-sensitive element and different gas sensitivity characteristics. And the temperature and humidity dependence were offset each other. As a result, the influence of temperature and humidity can be greatly reduced, and output display in absolute value has become possible. In the present invention, the two gas-sensitive elements are provided on the same substrate having a heater for heating on the back surface as shown in FIG. Here, reference numeral 3 denotes an upper electrode take-out part of the gas-sensitive element 1, and reference numeral 4 denotes an upper electrode take-out part of the gas-sensitive element 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a lower electrode lead-out portion common to the gas-sensitive elements 1 and 2.

With such a configuration, a plurality of sensors are affected almost simultaneously and equally by a change in temperature or the like.
Extracting the difference between one sensor and the other sensor as a sensor output enables accurate gas detection. In addition, elements can be simultaneously formed in a thin film manufacturing process such as thick film printing or sputtering, and a more uniform sensor element can be efficiently manufactured. However, it is also possible to use sensors provided on a plurality of substrates in the same sensor case.

Next, as a display function corresponding to the sensor output, a liquid crystal display or an LED display whose output level changes according to the sensor output can be considered. In a conventional gas alarm or the like, an alarm sounds at an alarm point or more and an LED or the like is lit, but the lighting level does not change in proportion to the gas concentration. In the present invention, it is important that the display level changes in proportion to the concentration of a very small amount of gas.
When the D lamp is turned on, two or more L
It is necessary that the ED be turned on in response to the change in the output level. Normally, the green LED is turned on at the comfortable level corresponding to the dirt of the air, and the orange LED is set at the caution level.
Considering such a configuration that the red LED is turned on at the lighting level and the alarm level, it is easy to accurately determine the contamination state. If the output display circuit is provided with a function of adjusting the lighting level in two or more stages according to the use environment, it is suitable for, for example, in-vehicle applications in which the volume varies depending on the vehicle type. In a normal use environment, the output level may be slightly different depending on the region or environment. It is more preferable to provide a fine adjustment output adjustment volume for adjusting the output level in the output display circuit.

According to the present invention, means for transmitting a signal for controlling the operation to a gas removing device such as an air cleaner or a ventilation fan installed outside when air pollution is detected and a predetermined detection level is reached. It is also a feature that the gas detection device equipped with the gas sensor element has. The signal transmission means may be performed by ordinary electric wiring, but it is troublesome and has a poor external appearance. For this reason, in the present invention, the gas detection device is provided with signal transmission means using infrared rays for activating the external gas removing device, and a system in which the external gas removing device is activated by the infrared signal is completed.

In controlling an external device by transmitting and receiving signals, a malfunction or the like may generally occur due to external interference. In order to prevent such a malfunction, it is effective to perform a process of transmitting a transmission signal intermittently, for example, transmitting a control signal at specified time intervals. At the same time, it is desirable to incorporate a signal determination circuit in the device on the signal receiving side so that the device is driven only when a predetermined signal is received. For example, if the same control signal is received three or more times consecutively within a prescribed time, the signal is determined to be a normal signal, and if other signals are received, a circuit is determined to be a false signal. It is possible to greatly reduce malfunctions.

As described above, according to the present invention, a very small amount of gas in the air, such as cigarette smoke, various unpleasant odors, carbon monoxide, and exhaust gas, is detected, and the detected level is visually displayed to inform the user. It is important to have a means for tightening, and efficiently and accurately transmit a signal corresponding to the detection level to an external air conditioner having a gas removal function,
This allows the device to be driven.

Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of a gas detector according to the present invention. The display circuit here corresponds to the component amount of the target gas detected by the gas sensor, and the lighting level changes continuously. For example, the gas contamination level can be displayed by the lighting levels of a plurality of LEDs.

FIG. 3 shows two sensors having the same temperature-humidity dependence and different sensitivities to cigarette smoke on the same substrate according to the present invention, and calculating the differential components of the outputs of the sensors. Is represented. Here, the horizontal axis shows the number of smoking cigarettes between 6 tatami mats. As described above, since the output value of the sensor of the present invention can be detected as an absolute value from 0 volt, the amount of contamination in the atmosphere can be displayed by the LED lighting level corresponding to the output level.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of signal transmission and reception according to the present invention. In the case where the gas detected by the gas detection device reaches a predetermined level or more, the gas detection device is used. A control signal is sent from the added infrared signal transmitter to an external air conditioner such as an air purifier. On the air purifier side, the air purifier operates according to the received signal.
At this time, the signal processing circuit may be provided with a function of driving the purifier only when a predetermined signal is received. Here, the gas detector can transmit a signal in accordance with a drive program for operating the air purifier. On the contrary, the gas detector transmits only the detected concentration of gas as a signal, The signal can be processed by a predetermined judgment circuit on the side to operate the purifier.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Detects gas as an absolute value corresponding to the amount of trace gas components such as tobacco, exhaust gas and various unpleasant odors,
A gas detection device having an output display function corresponding to the gas amount is obtained. Further, the present invention provides a gas removal system that realizes an optimum operating environment by providing a gas detection device with a signal transmission unit for driving the device by gas detection in an air conditioner as a gas removal device that is separately installed. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas sensor used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the gas detection device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an output after a differential component of a sensor output is calculated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of signal transmission and reception according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st gas-sensitive element 2 2nd gas-sensitive element 3 upper electrode extraction part of gas-sensitive element 1 4 upper electrode extraction part of gas-sensitive element 2 5 lower electrode extraction part common to gas-sensitive elements 1 and 2

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A gas detection device having a heater for heating and having a plurality of gas sensor elements, has a display function that continuously changes or two or more lighting display functions corresponding to the output of the gas sensor. A gas detector characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A gas detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting a signal to a drive circuit of an air conditioner at a position distant from an installation position of the gas detecting device in accordance with an output of the gas sensor. . 3. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein infrared rays are used as a means for transmitting the signal according to claim 2. 4. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein infrared rays as means for transmitting the signal according to claim 3 are intermittently transmitted. 5. An air conditioner comprising a gas removing device driven by receiving a signal from the gas detecting device according to claim 2. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus is driven only when an infrared ray intermittently transmitted from the gas detection apparatus is received and a signal that meets a predetermined condition is received. 5. The air conditioner according to 5.