KR20200114306A - Apparatus detecting a toxic gas - Google Patents

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to provide a toxic gas detection apparatus which can provide meaningful information based on measured numerical values in various manners through a mobile terminal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the toxic gas detection apparatus attachable to and detachable from a mobile terminal comprises: a plurality of gas sensors to sense current changes and to sense various types of gas; a central processing unit to generate gas-related data in response to the current changes; and a connection unit connected to the mobile terminal to transmit the gas-related data to the mobile terminal. Each of the plurality of gas sensors includes a metal electrode to conduct a current with an external electrode of the central processing unit to transfer the current changes to the external electrode. The metal electrode is constructed in a needle shape.

Description

Toxic gas detection device{APPARATUS DETECTING A TOXIC GAS}

The present invention relates to a toxic gas detection apparatus, and more specifically, to a toxic gas detection apparatus manufactured in a small size to detect various types of toxic gases, but easy to attach and detach to a mobile terminal and convenient to carry.

When products are produced by manufacturers such as factories or in everyday life, various kinds of toxic gases that are lethal or harmful to the human body are emitted. If the toxic gas is discharged, it may lead to an accident or an explosion in the future, so it is necessary to detect the leakage of the toxic gas and take appropriate measures.

In general, gas leakage is detected using a gas sensor. A gas sensor is an element used for the purpose of measuring the concentration of toxic gas or combustible gas or generating a signal below the allowable limit concentration. In this case, since the gas sensor performs only the sensing function, the user can only know the measured numerical value, but cannot obtain intuitive information from it.

In addition, in order to detect various types of gases, a plurality of gas sensors must be used. Therefore, it is cumbersome because the user must use different gas sensors according to the type of gas to be detected.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toxic gas detection device capable of providing meaningful information based on measured numerical values in various ways through a mobile terminal that a user always carries.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a toxic gas detection device that can be attached to a mobile terminal and is manufactured in a small size to be convenient to carry.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a toxic gas detection device manufactured in a small size so as to be convenient to carry while being able to detect various types of gases.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a toxic gas detection device capable of controlling surrounding IoT devices based on a gas detection result.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems that are not mentioned are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments proposed by the following description belong. Can be understood.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting a toxic gas detachable to a mobile terminal includes: a plurality of gas sensors configured to detect various types of gases by detecting a change in current; And a central processing unit that generates gas-related data in response to the current change; And a connection part connected to the mobile terminal and transmitting the gas-related data to the mobile terminal, wherein each of the plurality of gas sensors conducts a current with an external electrode of the central processing unit to change the current to the external electrode. It includes a metal electrode for transmitting, and the metal electrode is configured in a needle shape.

According to embodiments of the present invention, meaningful information based on a numerical value measured by the toxic gas detection device can be provided in various ways through a mobile terminal that the user always carries.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, a toxic gas detection device may be provided that is compactly manufactured to be attached to a mobile terminal and convenient to carry.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, a toxic gas detection device manufactured in a small size to be convenient to carry while being able to detect various types of gases may be provided.

Further, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to control the surrounding IoT device based on the gas detection result.

1 is a view showing a side view of a general gas sensor.
2 is a view showing a side cross-sectional view of a gas sensor constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing an external perspective view of a gas sensor constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are views for explaining an arrangement structure of a plurality of gas sensors constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view for explaining a method of controlling a peripheral IoT device by the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described below, and other inventions that are regressive by the addition, change, and deletion of other components, or other implementations included within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention Examples can be easily suggested.

As for terms used in the present invention, as far as possible, general terms that are currently widely used in connection with the technology have been selected, but in special cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant. Therefore, it should be noted in advance that the present invention should be grasped as a meaning of a term, not a simple name. In the following description, the word'comprising' does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed.

1 is a view showing a side view of a general gas sensor.

The gas sensor 100 may be classified into a solid electrolyte type, a semiconductor type, and an electrochemical type, depending on a method of detecting gas.

The solid electrolyte gas sensor uses the difference in electromotive force between the reference electrode and the sensing electrode before and after adsorption of the measurement gas. The semiconductor gas sensor uses the principle that when a surface material and a gas desired to be detected react, electrons that act as electrical conduction are captured. The electrochemical gas sensor detects the amount of electrons generated during the electric redox reaction of gas molecules and continuously and automatically measures the gas concentration.

In this case, each gas sensor 100 has a metal electrode 400 connected to an external electrode (not shown) to conduct the detected current or electrons to the external electrode (not shown). In this case, the metal electrode 400 may be connected to an external electrode (not shown) through a wire bonding method.

However, when the metal electrode 400 of the gas sensor 100 is connected to the external electrode by the wire bonding method, the height of the gas sensor 100 is increased by the wire, so that the size and volume of the gas sensor 100 are reduced. Will increase.

2 is a view showing a side cross-sectional view of a gas sensor constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The gas sensor 100 constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may be an electrochemical gas sensor. The electrochemical gas sensor 100 includes three electrodes and an electrolyte classified into a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. In this case, the gas sensor 100 performs electrolysis on the electrolyte while maintaining a constant potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode, and detects the presence and concentration of gas by detecting the amount of electrolytic current generated between the working electrode and the counter electrode. can do. At this time, the specific gas can be quantitatively detected by selectively proceeding the redox reaction by changing a specific potential according to the type of gas to be detected.

The gas sensor 100 includes a case 110, a working electrode part 200, a reference-relative electrode part 300, a metal electrode 400, a membrane 500, a fixing member 600, and a packing 700. It can be configured.

The case 110 is a housing constituting the exterior of the gas sensor 100. The working electrode part 200, the reference-relative electrode part 300, and the membrane 500 may be accommodated in an empty space formed inside the case 110. A plurality of through holes 112 may be formed on the upper surface of the case 110 so that external air may be introduced.

According to an embodiment, the case 110 may be formed of a material made of a PEEK (polyetheretherketon) material. Here, the PEEK material does not react with acids and gases, and does not conduct electricity.

The working electrode part 200 may include a substrate and a working electrode formed on the surface of the substrate. Here, the working electrode may be formed by widely coating carbon containing Pt.

A contact portion is formed at one end of the working electrode, and may be configured to contact only one of the plurality of metal electrodes 400.

The reference-counter electrode part 300 may include a substrate, and a reference electrode and a counter electrode formed on the surface of the substrate. Here, the substrate may be formed of a SiO2 mesh material. In this case, due to the material properties, the electrolyte may contact the reference electrode, the counter electrode, and the working electrode, and the gas to be measured may be dissolved in the electrolyte to react.

The reference electrode and the counter electrode are formed on the substrate to be spaced apart from each other, and can be formed by applying a conductive carbon material to the substrate surface, respectively.

Each of the reference electrode and the counter electrode may have a contact portion formed at one end thereof, and may be configured to contact only one of the plurality of metal electrodes 400.

Electrochemical gas sensors require an electrolyte to operate. According to an embodiment, the electrolyte may be filled up to a height in contact with the working electrode. In this case, a substrate made of a SiO2 mesh material positioned between the working electrode and the reference electrode and the counter electrode is immersed in the electrolyte.

The metal electrode 400 may electrically connect the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the counter electrode to the outside. In this case, the metal electrode 400 may be formed in a needle shape to be connected to an external electrode. To this end, the metal electrode 400 may include a head 410 positioned inside the case 110 and a connection portion 420 that penetrates the bottom surface of the case 110 and is exposed to the outside.

By having such a configuration, the metal electrode 400 can be connected to the external electrode without wire bonding.

The membrane 500 may be disposed above the working electrode part 200 to prevent leakage of the electrolyte and allow external air to pass through the electrolyte. In this case, the membrane 500 may be formed of a material made of PTFE.

The fixing member 600 may be disposed on a lower surface of the case 110 to surround a through hole through which the connection part 420 passes.

The packing 700 is installed in a portion where the connection portion 420 of the metal electrode 400 passes through the case 110, so that leakage of the electrolyte may be prevented.

As described above, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the gas sensor 100 is configured in a needle shape in which the metal electrode 400 passes through the bottom of the case 100, so that the gas sensor 100 can be connected to the external electrode without wire bonding. Accordingly, the volume and size of the gas sensor 100 are reduced by the height of the wire.

3 is a view showing an external perspective view of a gas sensor constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The gas sensor 100 constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to an external electrode by a metal electrode 400 configured in a needle shape instead of wire bonding. In this case, the height H of the gas sensor 100 is reduced, thereby reducing the size and volume of the gas sensor 100 relative to the conventional sensor, and thus, it is possible to realize miniaturization.

The toxic gas detection device may include a plurality of gas sensors 100 to detect various types of toxic gases. As previously described in the description of FIG. 2, the gas sensor 100 operates in a form in which a working electrode and a substrate positioned between the reference electrode and the counter electrode are immersed in an electrolyte. Therefore, the gas sensor 100 must be disposed parallel to the horizontal direction.

In addition, the toxic gas detection device may be configured in a small size so that it is easy to attach and detach to the mobile terminal and convenient to carry. To this end, the plurality of gas sensors 100 may have a structure overlapping in a vertical direction. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the height of the gas sensor 100 is reduced due to the structure of the gas sensor 100, a plurality of gas sensors 100 may be formed in a vertically overlapped structure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the height H is relatively lower than the width W of the gas sensor 100. That is, the height is lowered compared to the conventional gas sensor 100. Therefore, even if the plurality of gas sensors 100 are configured to be vertically overlapped, the toxic gas detection device may be implemented in a miniaturized form.

4A and 4B are views for explaining an arrangement structure of a plurality of gas sensors constituting the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of gas sensors 100 included in the toxic gas detection apparatus may be arranged in at least one row or column on a PCB substrate, and may be configured to overlap each row or column in a vertical direction. In this case, a plurality of gas sensors 100 overlapping in a vertical direction may be attached to the front and rear surfaces of the PCB substrate, respectively. By the PCB substrate, interference between the current signals measured by each gas sensor 100 can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a plurality of gas sensors 100 are arranged in two rows on a PCB substrate, and each row is formed in a vertical direction overlapping.

According to another embodiment, a plurality of gas sensors 100 included in the toxic gas detection device are attached to the front or the rear of any one of the PCB substrates arranged in a vertical direction, and the PCB substrates are bonded to each other in a vertical direction. It can be configured in an overlapping form.

In this case, interference between the current signals measured by each of the gas sensors 100 can be prevented by the PCB substrates disposed between the gas sensors 100.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a plurality of gas sensors 100 are respectively attached to a front or rear surface of a PCB substrate, and the PCB substrates are bonded to each other to form a vertically overlapped shape.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The toxic gas detection device 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be detachably attached to a mobile terminal, and can be implemented in a compact size for convenient detachment and portability. In this case, the toxic gas detection device 50 includes a microprocessor 51, a communication module 52, a PMU 53, a power module 54, a connection module 55, and a plurality of gas sensors 100. I can.

The microprocessor 51 may generate gas-related data in response to a change in current sensed by the gas sensor 100. Here, the gas-related data may include at least one of type, value, concentration, and risk.

The microprocessor 51 may control at least one gas sensor 100 to measure at least one of various types of gas values and concentrations. To this end, the microprocessor 51 may select the gas sensor 100 in response to the toxic gas to be measured and drive the selected gas sensor 100. For example, when the toxic gas detection device 50 includes six gas sensors 100 for each use, the microprocessor 51 selectively selects a gas sensor 100 capable of measuring a toxic gas to be measured. Can be operated. In this case, the six gas sensors 100 can measure carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sulfurous acid gas, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrogen, respectively.

The microprocessor 51 may control the communication module 52 to transmit a control signal to any one of a plurality of IoT devices in response to gas-related data. For example, when it is determined that the risk is high due to a high carbon monoxide concentration, the microprocessor 51 may operate a ventilation fan or open a window among surrounding IoT devices.

According to an embodiment, the microprocessor 51 may operate a plurality of gas sensors 100 with a bias. As a result, electrical signal interference between the gas sensors 100 can be minimized.

In addition, the microprocessor 51 may serve as a central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the toxic gas detection device 50. To this end, the microprocessor 51 may control the operation of at least one of the communication module 52, the PMU 53, the power module 54, the connection module 55, and the plurality of gas sensors 100. .

The communication module 52 may perform wired/wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of IoT devices located around the mobile terminal 56 and the toxic gas detection device 50. According to an embodiment, the communication module 52 may be implemented as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module to perform low-power Bluetooth communication.

The communication module 52 may transmit the analog data value measured by the gas sensor 100 to the mobile terminal 56. In this case, the communication module 52 may transmit at least one of a GPS coordinate value, a terminal ID, and a transmission time of the toxic gas detection device 50 together.

The PMU (Power Management Unit) 53 may perform power management of the toxic gas detection device 50. Specifically, when receiving power from the power module 54, the PMU 53 may convert it into an operating voltage of the toxic gas detection device 50 and output it to each module. For example, when the PMU 53 receives +5.0V power from the power module 54, it may convert it into a voltage of +1.8V and output it to each module.

According to an embodiment, the PMU 53 may selectively supply power to the plurality of gas sensors 100 in response to the type of gas to be detected under the control of the microprocessor 51.

The power module 54 may receive power from the mobile terminal 56. To this end, the power module 54 may be connected to the mobile terminal 56 by a connection module 55. Here, the power module 54 may include a rechargeable battery.

The connection module 55 is connected to the mobile terminal 56 and may receive power and/or data from the mobile terminal 56. In addition, the connection module 55 may transmit gas-related data to the mobile terminal 56.

According to an embodiment, the connection module 55 may comply with the USB Universal Serial Bus On-The-Go (OTG) standard. The USB OTG standard is a modified USB standard so that it can be operated even between mobile terminals, portable devices such as PDAs and MP3 players, without the intervention of a host PC.

The gas sensor 100 may detect various types of gases by detecting a change in current. Specifically, the gas sensor 100 may have a needle shape and may include a metal electrode connected to an external electrode of the microprocessor 51. The metal electrode of the gas sensor 100 may transmit a current change to the external electrode by conducting a current with the external electrode. In this case, the gas sensor 100 may be configured in a small size by being connected to an external electrode in a needle shape instead of the conventional wire bonding.

The gas sensor 100 may measure at least one of a value and a concentration of a predetermined type of toxic gas.

In addition, a plurality of gas sensors 100 may be included in the toxic gas detection device 50 to measure toxic gases for each use.

The mobile terminal 56 may generate meaningful information based on the measured value or data received from the toxic gas detection device 50 and output it to the screen. Specifically, the mobile terminal 56 may visualize and display the value or concentration of the toxic gas in a graph, chart, or numerical gauge bar. In addition, the mobile terminal 56 may display the risk level and the state of the gas value (good, normal, bad, etc.) in text form. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 56 may provide a warning or a notification to the user in response to the degree of risk.

To this end, the mobile terminal 56 may be connected to the toxic gas detection device 50 by a USB OTG method.

6 is a view for explaining a method of controlling a peripheral IoT device by the toxic gas detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The toxic gas detection device 50 may control a peripheral IoT device in response to a result of the toxic gas measurement. Specifically, the toxic gas detection device 50 may determine whether a follow-up action is necessary according to a measurement result of at least one of a value and a concentration of the toxic gas. If it is determined that a Sau action is necessary, the toxic gas detection device 50 may transmit a control signal to the surrounding IoT device in response thereto. For example, if it is determined that the carbon monoxide gas level is at a warning level, the window may be opened, the fan may be turned on, or the gas range may be turned off.

To this end, the toxic gas detection device 50 may perform LoRA communication with a peripheral IoT device. Here, LoRA (Long Range) communication is a low power long range communication (LPWA, Low Power Wide Area) technology that helps objects to communicate with each other.

In the foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention, a toxic gas has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied not only to toxic gases but also to the case of measuring various types of gases such as harmful gases and harmless gases.

The embodiments have been described above, but these are only examples and do not limit the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention pertains will not be exemplified above within the scope not departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment may be modified and implemented. And differences related to these modifications and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

50: toxic gas detection device 51: microprocessor
52: communication module 53: PMU
54: power module 55: connection module
56: mobile terminal 100: gas sensor
110: case 112: through hole
200: working electrode part 300: reference-counter electrode part
400: metal electrode 410: head
420: connection 500: membrane
600: fixing member 700: packing

Claims (8)

In the toxic gas detection device detachable to the mobile terminal,
A plurality of gas sensors for sensing various types of gases by sensing a change in current;
A central processing unit that generates gas-related data in response to the current change; And
It is connected to the mobile terminal, comprising a connection for transmitting the gas-related data to the mobile terminal,
Each of the plurality of gas sensors,
And a metal electrode for transmitting the current change to the external electrode by conducting current with the external electrode of the central processing unit, wherein the metal electrode is configured in a needle shape. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of gas sensors,
Toxic gas detection device arranged in a vertically overlapped form The method of claim 2,
Each of the plurality of gas sensors,
A toxic gas detection device attached to the front or back of any one of a plurality of PCB boards arranged in a vertical direction overlapping. The method of claim 1,
The gas-related data,
Toxic gas detection device including at least one of type, value, concentration and risk. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a communication unit for performing communication with a plurality of IoT devices located around the toxic gas detection device,
The central processing unit controls the communication unit to transmit a control signal to any one of the plurality of IoT devices in response to the gas-related data. The method of claim 1,
The connection part,
A toxic gas detection device that is connected to the mobile terminal according to the USB Universal Serial Bus On-The-Go (OTG) standard. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the plurality of gas sensors,
The central processing unit controls the power supply unit to selectively supply the power to the plurality of gas sensors in response to a gas type to be detected. The method of claim 7,
The power supply unit,
Toxic gas detection device receiving the power from the mobile terminal.

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