KR101229087B1 - Drunkometer having detachable alcohol sensor mudule and detachable alcohol sensor mudule - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A breathalyzer with a detachable alcohol sensor module is provided to have a detachable alcohol sensor module that can be easily changed when the lifetime of an alcohol sensor ends, to ensure convenience, and to prevent measurement errors. CONSTITUTION: A breathalyzer with a detachable alcohol sensor module has a display part at the upper front end of a housing and a power switch under the display part. A through-hole is formed at each upper end of both sides of the housing. The breathalyzer has the detachable alcohol sensor module(200) and a main body. The main body comprises the housing and a print circuit substrate(20). An exhalation channel(30) is coupled inside the upper end of the housing and is formed to have a cylinder shape. The exhalation channel has a first collection hole(31) and a second collection hole(32) for supplying a flow sensor(50) and an alcohol sensor, respectively.

Description

Drunkometer having detachable alcohol sensor module and detachable alcohol sensor module {Drunkometer Having Detachable Alcohol Sensor Mudule and Detachable Alcohol Sensor Mudule}

The present invention relates to a breathalyzer, and more particularly, to a breathalyzer having a removable alcohol sensor module.

Breathalyzer measures the concentration of alcohol that is expelled with exhalation by mixing with air of inhalation. Alcohol discharged with exhalation is proportional to the concentration of alcohol in the blood, so measuring the concentration of alcohol contained in the exhalation can calculate the blood alcohol concentration.

The breathalyzer includes a sample gas collecting unit, a sensing unit, a signal processing unit, and a display unit. The sample gas collection part includes a bleeding band for exhaling the subject and a passage through which the sample gas flowing through the bleeding band flows. The detection unit includes an alcohol sensor that detects an alcohol component in the sample gas collected through the sample gas collection unit and generates an electrical signal. The signal processor functions to calculate blood alcohol concentration by analyzing the electrical signal from the alcohol sensor. The result calculated by the signal processor is displayed on the display.

In order for the breathalyzer to calculate the correct alcohol concentration, the breathalyzer must undergo a calibration process before shipping. The calibration process involves injecting a gas having a standard alcohol concentration into the detector and setting the system so that the electrical signal at that time is calculated as the concentration of the standard gas.

In the past, the variable resistor was mainly used for such a calibration, but recently, a non-volatile memory semiconductor such as EEPROM is used. Calibration is performed in the following way.

First, the alcohol standard gas is injected into the alcohol detector. At this time, the sensor signal is stored in the ypyrom, and from this time, when the signal processor receives the same signal as the sensor signal stored in the ypyrom, the alcohol concentration value at that time is recognized as the concentration of the standard gas. Two concentrations of standard gas may be used for more accurate calculations. In other words, the linear concentration can be obtained from these two data to accurately calculate the alcohol concentration in a wider range of signals.

However, if you continue to use the breathalyzer, the alcohol detection unit is contaminated by various impurities (saliva, nicotine, etc.) contained in the person's breath, and the accuracy is reduced, so recalibration is required. If recalibration is required, the consumer sends the product to the after-sales center, which performs the above calibration process once again to calibrate the accuracy.

However, there is a problem that the shipping costs of the product in this process, accompanied by the inconvenience of the consumer to wait for the after-sales period.

In particular, in the case of a low-cost breathalyzer, the need for a way to solve this problem is seriously raised as the shipping fee for the recalibration exceeds the price of the alcohol sensor.

Thus, the present inventor has developed a breathalyzer that can detach the alcohol sensor module itself has been registered in the Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-687787 and No. 10-846062.

Patent Registration No. 10-687787 Patent Registration No. 10-846062 Public utility model no. 2008-5682

However, the breathalyzers disclosed in Korean Patent Nos. 10-687787 and 10-0846062 do not have a suction pump for collecting exhalation in a detachable alcohol sensor module. There was a problem that accurate measurement was difficult.

The sensing unit using the electrochemical alcohol sensor completely decomposes the exhalation of quantification to form ions, and the formed ions move through the electrolyte, thereby measuring the alcohol concentration using the generated current.

Thus, if the amount of exhaled chased changes, the alcohol concentration value may be measured differently. However, the suction pump for collecting the exhalation has a slight difference in the amount of suction for each suction pump. Therefore, if there is a difference between the suction pump used in the process of calibrating the removable alcohol sensor module and the inhalation suction amount of the suction pump installed in the breathalyzer equipped with a removable alcohol sensor module, there was a problem that accurate measurement is difficult even if calibrated.

Breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a breathalyzer body and alcohol sensor module.

The breathalyzer main body includes a signal processing unit for calculating an alcohol concentration based on a detection signal value transmitted from an alcohol sensor module, a display unit for displaying the calculated alcohol concentration, a connector coupling unit connected to the signal processing unit, and a user's exhalation passes. It includes an exhalation passage that is a passage.

In addition, the alcohol sensor module is in communication with the exhalation passage and the sample gas passage including a sample gas inlet pipe in which the sample gas is introduced, the sample gas outlet tube in which the introduced sample gas flows out and the internal space through which the introduced sample gas flows; An alcohol sensor disposed inside the sample gas passage and including a reaction cell for outputting a detection signal value corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the sample gas, and a nonvolatile memory unit in which the detection signal value of the alcohol sensor is recorded when the standard gas is injected; And a suction pump communicating with the sample gas outlet pipe and introducing a predetermined amount of sample gas into the internal space, and connected to a connector coupling part of the breathalyzer main body, and an actual detection signal value of the alcohol sensor and the nonvolatile memory unit. It includes a connector for transmitting a detection signal value for the standard gas recorded in the breathalyzer main body.

The breathalyzer provided with the above-described removable alcohol sensor module can prevent the measurement error due to the deviation between the suction pump because the suction pump is integrally coupled to the alcohol sensor module.

The breathalyzer described above further includes a flow rate sensor for checking whether sufficient exhalation is supplied to the exhalation passage, and the exhalation passage is preferably formed with a sampling hole for supplying exhalation to the flow rate sensor.

In addition, the circumference of the exhalation passage is provided so as to be slidable along the exhalation passage, it is preferable to further include a bandage in communication with the exhalation passage.

Removable alcohol sensor module for achieving the above object is a sample gas passage including a sample gas inlet tube, the sample gas inlet, the sample gas inlet tube and the inner space through which the sample gas flows and the sample gas flows; An alcohol sensor disposed in the sample gas passage and including a reaction cell for outputting a detection signal value corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the sample gas, and a nonvolatile memory in which the detection signal value of the alcohol sensor is recorded when the standard gas is injected; And a suction pump communicating with the sample gas outlet pipe and introducing a predetermined amount of sample gas into the internal space, and connected to a connector coupling portion of the breathalyzer main body, the actual detection signal value of the alcohol sensor and the nonvolatile memory. And a connector unit for transmitting a detection signal value for the standard gas recorded in the unit to the breathalyzer main body.

Breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, when the lifetime of the alcohol sensor or serious contamination, the user can easily replace only the alcohol sensor module, it is easy to use.

Second, since the suction pump is integrally coupled to the alcohol sensor module, it is possible to prevent the measurement error due to the deviation between the suction pumps.

1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention.
2 is a view showing a part of the breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module shown in FIG.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module shown in FIG.
4 is a schematic view of the removable alcohol sensor module shown in FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are provided by way of example so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but may be embodied in other forms. And in the drawings, the width, length, thickness, etc. of the components may be exaggerated for convenience. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a display unit 11 is installed at the upper front of the housing 10, and a power switch 12 is installed below the housing 10. Through-holes 13 and 14 are formed at upper ends of both sides of the housing, respectively.

 2 is a view showing a part of the breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module shown in FIG. 2 and 3, one embodiment of a breathalyzer with a detachable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention includes a breathalyzer body 100 and a detachable alcohol sensor module 200.

The breathalyzer main body 100 includes a housing 10 and a printed circuit board 20.

Inside the upper end of the housing 10, the exhalation passage 30 through which the exhaled air flows by the user is coupled. The exhalation passage 30 is in the form of a cylinder with both ends open. The circumference of the exhalation passage 30 is coupled to the bulge 40 is slidable. The buddle 40 is normally located inside the housing 10, and in use, is exposed to the outside through a through hole 13 formed in the upper side of the housing 10. The fire zone 40 is in communication with the exhalation passage 30, the exhalation flowed through the fire passage 40 is discharged through the opposite through hole 14 after passing through the exhalation passage (30). In the exhalation passage (30) is provided with a first collecting hole 31 and a second collecting hole 32 for supplying the exhalation flowing into the exhalation passage 30 to the flow sensor 50 and the alcohol sensor 220, respectively have. Most of the exhalation flowed into the exhalation passage 30 is immediately discharged to the outside, and a part is supplied to the sensors 50 and 220 through the first collecting hole 31 and the second collecting hole 32.

The printed circuit board 20 is mounted inside the housing 10. The printed circuit board 20 is equipped with a signal processor (not shown). The signal processor serves to calculate an alcohol concentration value according to the detection signal value of the alcohol sensor module 200. In addition, the display unit 11 is provided on the printed circuit board 20, and the concentration value calculated by the signal processing unit is displayed on the display unit 11. The connector coupling part 21 is installed at one side of the printed circuit board 20.

At the upper end of the printed circuit board 20, a flow rate sensor 50 for detecting whether exhalation is supplied to the exhalation passage 30 is installed. The sensor 50 is disposed below the first collecting hole 31 formed in the exhaling passage 30 and detects whether exhalation is leaked from the first collecting hole 31, thereby exhaling the exhaling passage 30. Detect whether the supply is sufficient. The flow sensor 50 may be a pressure sensor.

At the bottom of the housing 10, a battery 60 for supplying power to the printed circuit board 20 is mounted.

4 is a schematic view of the removable alcohol sensor module shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the detachable alcohol sensor module 200 includes an alcohol sensor 220, a nonvolatile memory unit 230, a suction pump 240, and a connector unit 250.

The alcohol sensor 220 includes a sample gas passage 210 and a reaction cell 214 installed in the inner space 213 of the sample gas passage 210.

The sample gas passage 210 includes a sample gas inlet pipe 211 through which the sample gas is introduced, and a sample gas introduced from the sample gas outlet pipe 212 and the sample gas inlet pipe 211 through which the sample gas is discharged. An interior space 213 is guided to flow in the direction of the tube 212. The exhalation introduced into the sample gas passage 210 is called sample gas. The sample gas inlet pipe 211 of the sample gas passage 210 is connected to the second collecting hole 32 of the exhalation passage 30, and the sample gas outlet pipe 212 is connected to the suction pump 240.

 The reaction cell 214 is installed in the internal space 213 between the sample gas inlet pipe 211 and the sample gas outlet pipe 212 of the sample gas passage 210. The reaction cell 214 changes the current value according to the alcohol concentration of the sample gas.

The reaction cell 214 includes a sensing electrode and an opposite electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the sensing electrode and the opposite electrode. Alcohol decomposed into ions at the sensing electrode passes through the electrolyte and then moves to the counter electrode. The current value generated at this time becomes a detection signal value proportional to the alcohol concentration. The detection signal value output from the reaction cell 214 is transmitted to the printed circuit board 260 in which the connector unit 250 is installed.

The nonvolatile memory unit 230 may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The nonvolatile memory unit 230 stores a detection signal value output from the alcohol sensor 220 when a standard gas having a reference alcohol concentration is used as the sample gas. The nonvolatile memory unit 230 is provided on the printed circuit board 260.

The suction pump 240 serves to inhale the quantitative amount of the sample gas injected by the user through the bullock 40 into the sample gas passage 210. The suction pump 240 is installed to communicate with the sample gas outlet pipe 212 of the sample gas passage 210. Suction pump 240 is instantaneously operated after a certain time after the user starts to exhale to collect the sample gas of the quantitative. Whether the user has started to exhale can be checked through the flow sensor 50. As the suction pump 240, a solenoid pump may be used.

Breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module according to the present invention is a suction pump 240 is installed in the removable alcohol sensor module 200. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the error caused by the difference in the sample gas inflow amount according to the suction pump 240.

The connector unit 250 is installed on the printed circuit board 260. The connector part 250 is connected to the connector coupling part 21 of the breathalyzer main body 100. The detection signal value stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 230 and the detection signal value measured by the alcohol sensor 210 are transmitted to the signal processing unit of the breathalyzer main body 100 through the connector unit 250. In addition, the operation signal and power of the suction pump 240 of the signal processor are transmitted to the suction pump 240 of the removable alcohol sensor module 200 through the connector 250.

Hereinafter, the operation of the breathalyzer equipped with the above-described removable alcohol sensor module will be described.

First, the calibration process of the removable alcohol sensor module will be described.

After installing the removable alcohol sensor module 200 in the calibration device, the alcohol standard gas is injected into the removable alcohol sensor module 200. Then, the suction pump 240 operates instantaneously to collect the quantitative sample gas, and the current value due to ions generated when the quantitative sample gas is decomposed is stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 230 as a detection signal value.

In the present invention, since the detection signal value stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 230 is stored in consideration of both the deviation of the reaction cell 214 of each alcohol sensor 220 and the deviation of the suction pump 240. Even if the removable alcohol sensor module 200 is installed in the breathalyzer main body 100, the same alcohol concentration can be accurately measured as in the calibration.

Next, the replacement of the removable alcohol sensor module and the use of the breathalyzer will be described. If you want to replace the removable alcohol sensor module 200, after opening the back cover of the housing 10 of the breathalyzer main body 100, after removing the removable alcohol sensor module 200 from the connector connection portion 21 of the body The connector part 250 of the new removable alcohol sensor module 200 is overlapped with the connector connection part 21 of the main body. At the same time, the sample gas inlet pipe 211 of the sample gas passage 210 is inserted into the second collecting hole 32 of the exhalation passage 30.

Already, since a value considering both the deviation of the reaction cell 214 and the deviation of the suction pump 240 is stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 230, accurate alcohol concentration measurement can be performed without additional correction.

When the user presses the power switch 12 of the housing 10 of the breathalyzer, and the user starts injecting the exhalation through the fire band 40, the exhalation flows in the exhalation passage 30. When it is confirmed that the exhalation flows sufficiently in the exhalation passage 30 by the flow rate sensor 50, while the suction pump 240 operates after a while, the sample gas that is part of the exhalation flows into the sample gas passage 210.

Alcohol contained in the introduced sample gas is decomposed into all ions in the sensing electrode of the reaction cell 214 installed in the sample gas passage 210, and then passes through the electrolyte to the counter electrode. The current value generated at this time becomes a detection signal value proportional to the alcohol concentration.

The detection signal value and the detection signal value stored in the nonvolatile memory unit 230 are transmitted to the signal processor of the breathalyzer main body 100. The signal processing unit calculates the alcohol concentration from the detection signal value and displays it on the display unit 11.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, those skilled in the art within the spirit and claims of the present invention It will be understood that various changes, modifications, or substitutions may be made thereto, and such embodiments are to be understood as being within the scope of the present invention.

100: breathalyzer main body 200: alcohol sensor module
10: housing 20: printed circuit board
21: connector coupling portion 30: exhalation passage
31: first collecting hole 32: second collecting hole
40: flameless 50: flow sensor
210: sample gas passage 214: reaction cell
220: alcohol sensor 230: nonvolatile memory unit
240: suction pump 250: connector

Claims (4)

In the breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module,
Signal processing unit for calculating the alcohol concentration based on the detection signal value transmitted from the alcohol sensor module, display unit for displaying the calculated alcohol concentration, connector coupling unit connected to the signal processing unit, exhalation passage that is a passage through which the user's exhalation passes And breathalyzer body, including;
The sample gas passage and the inside of the sample gas passage including a sample gas inlet pipe communicating with the exhalation passage, a sample gas inlet tube into which the sample gas is introduced, a sample gas outlet tube through which the introduced sample gas flows out, and an inner space through which the introduced sample gas flows. An alcohol sensor including a reaction cell arranged at a second side and outputting a detection signal value corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the sample gas, a nonvolatile memory unit recording the detection signal value of the alcohol sensor when the standard gas is injected, and the sample gas A suction pump communicating with the outlet pipe and introducing a predetermined amount of sample gas into the internal space, and a standard gas connected to the connector coupling portion of the breathalyzer main body and recorded in the non-volatile memory unit and the actual detection signal value of the alcohol sensor. Including an alcohol sensor module including a connector for transmitting a detection signal value for the breathalyzer body A breathalyzer alcohol having a detachable sensor module according to claim. The method of claim 1,
The breathalyzer body,
Further comprising a flow rate sensor for checking whether or not sufficient exhalation is supplied to the exhalation passage,
The exhalation passage is breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module, characterized in that the collecting hole for supplying exhalation to the flow sensor is formed. The method of claim 1,
The breathalyzer body,
Breathalyzer with a removable alcohol sensor module, characterized in that it is installed to be slidable along the exhalation passage around the exhalation passage, further comprising a bulge communicated with the exhalation passage. In the alcohol sensor module detachably coupled to the breathalyzer body,
A sample gas passage including a sample gas inflow tube into which sample gas flows in, a sample gas outlet tube in which incoming sample gas flows out, and an inner space through which the introduced sample gas flows, and disposed inside the sample gas passage and An alcohol sensor comprising a reaction cell for outputting a detection signal value corresponding to the alcohol concentration;
A nonvolatile memory unit in which a detection signal value of the alcohol sensor is recorded when the standard gas is injected;
A suction pump communicating with the sample gas outlet pipe and introducing a predetermined amount of sample gas into the internal space;
And a connector part connected to the connector coupling part of the breathalyzer main body and transferring the actual detection signal value of the alcohol sensor and the detection signal value for the standard gas recorded in the nonvolatile memory part to the breathalyzer main body. Removable alcohol sensor module.

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