Gas detecting device

A gas detecting device includes an actuating-and-sensing module, a driving controller, a data storage device and a data processor. The actuating-and-sensing module includes a first gas sensor, a second gas sensor and a gas transportation actuator. The driving controller controls the actuations and non-actuations of the first gas sensor, the second gas sensor and the gas transportation actuator. The first gas sensor measures the target gas and transmits first gas measured information to the data storage device. The second gas sensor measures the target gas and transmits second gas measured information to the data storage device. The data processor calculates concentrations of the gases in the target gas by comparing the information stored in a gas database, the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a gas detecting device, and more particularly to a gas detecting device capable of measuring a concentration of target gas without separating the target gas from a gas mixture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, people pay much attention to the gas information. However, it is very difficult to detect the gas. In particular, the gas in the normal state often exists as a gas mixture containing a plurality of gases. When target gas is measured, it is often interfered by other gas, which may result in inaccurate measuring results or failure. At present, in order to prevent the gas to be measured from being interfered by other gases, the gas to be measured may be separated from the gas mixture before detection begins. However, it is very difficult to separate the gas to be measured from the gas mixture, and the cost is high. Moreover, a gas separation device is difficult to be miniaturized and is not convenient to carry.

Currently, there is no equipment that can accurately measure the concentration of the target gas without separating the target gas from the gas mixture. Therefore, there is a need of providing a gas detecting device, which is safe and convenient to carry and can accurately measure the concentration of the target gas without separating the target gas from the gas mixture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas detecting device to address the issues that it is difficult to obtain an accurate measuring result of a single gas. The gas detecting device is used to measure a target gas and includes an actuating-and-sensing module, a driving controller, a data storage device and a data processor. The actuating-and-sensing module includes a first gas sensor, a second gas sensor and a gas transportation actuator. The first gas sensor has better capability for measuring first gas. The second gas sensor has better capability for measuring second gas. The gas transportation actuator guides the target gas to the first gas sensor and the second gas sensor for measurement. The driving controller controls the actuations and non-actuations of the first gas sensor, the second gas sensor and the gas transportation actuator. The data storage device has a gas database, which stores reference information relative to a gas consisting of the first gas, a gas consisting of the second gas and a gas mixture including the target gas measured by the first gas sensor, and stores reference information relative to the gas consisting of the first gas, the gas consisting of the second gas and the gas mixture including the target gas measured by the second gas sensor. The data processor calculates gas concentrations in the target gas. The first gas sensor measures the target gas and transmits first gas measured information to the data storage device. The second gas sensor measures the target gas and transmits second gas measured information to the data storage device. The data processor calculates a concentration of the first gas in the target gas by comparing the reference information stored in the gas database, the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 2. The present discourse provides a gas detecting device100including at least one first gas, at least one second gas, at least one target gas, at least one actuating-and-sensing module2, at least one first gas sensor21, at least one second gas sensor22, at least one gas transportation actuator23, at least one driving controller3, at least one data storage device4, at least one gas database, at least one data processor5, at least one first gas measured information and at least one second gas measured information. The number of the first gas, the second gas, the target gas, the actuating-and-sensing module2, the first gas sensor21, the second gas sensor22, the gas transportation actuator23, the driving controller3, the data storage device4, the gas database, the data processor5, the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information is exemplified by one for each in the following embodiments but not limited thereto. It is noted that each of the first gas, the second gas, the target gas, the actuating-and-sensing module2, the first gas sensor21, the second gas sensor22, the gas transportation actuator23, the driving controller3, the data storage device4, the gas database, the data processor5, the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information can also be provided in plural numbers.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 2. The gas detecting device100of the present disclosure includes a substrate1, an actuating-and-sensing module2, a driving controller3, a data storage device4and a data processor5. The actuating-and-sensing module2is disposed on the substrate1, and electrically connected to the driving controller3and the data storage device4. The data storage device4is electrically connected to the data processor5. The actuating-and-sensing module2includes a first gas sensor21, a second gas sensor22and a gas transportation actuator23. The gas transportation actuator23is disposed adjacent to the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22, and is configured to transport the gas to the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22for measurement. In addition, the driving controller3is electrically connected to the gas transportation actuator23, the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22. The driving controller3controls the actuations and non-actuations of the gas transportation actuator23, the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22. The first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22are electrically connected to the data storage device4, respectively, and transmit the measured information of the target gas to the data storage device4, respectively. In addition, each of the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22may be but not limited to a semiconductor gas sensor. The first gas sensor21has better capability for measuring a first gas. The second gas sensor22has better capability for measuring a second gas.

Please refer toFIG. 2. When the actuating-and-sensing module2is actuated by the driving controller3, the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22of the actuating-and-sensing module2transmit first gas measured information and second gas measured information to the data storage device4, respectively. The first gas measured information transmitted from the first gas sensor21include gas information as the gas transportation actuator23is non-actuated and gas information as the gas transportation actuator23is actuated. The second gas measured information transmitted from the second gas sensor22include gas information as the gas transportation actuator23is non-actuated and gas information as the gas transportation actuator23is actuated. The data processor5accesses the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information from the data storage device4and performs a cross comparison among the information stored in the gas database, the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information so that the concentration of the first gas and the concentration of the second gas are obtained. In this embodiment, the first gas may be acetone, and the second gas may be ethanol or hydrogen, but not limited thereto.

Please refer toFIG. 1andFIG. 2. In this embodiment, the gas detecting device100further includes a display module6. The display module6is electrically connected to the data processor5. After the data processor5calculates the concentration of the first gas and the concentration of the second gas, the display module6displays the concentration information of the first gas and the second gas and thus informs a user of the concentration information as well. In addition, the gas detecting device100also includes a transmission module7. The transmission module7may be a wired transmission module or a wireless transmission module so that the concentration information of the first gas and the second gas can be transmitted to an external device200in wired transmission technology or wireless transmission technology. In this embodiment, the external device200may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a cloud system, a portable electronic device and a computer system.

As mentioned above, the wired transmission module may be at least one selected form the group consisting of a USB transmission module, a mini-USB transmission module and a micro-USB transmission module. The wireless transmission module may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi transmission module, a Bluetooth transmission module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transmission module and a near field communication (NFC) transmission module.

Please refer toFIGS. 3A, 3B and 4. In this embodiment, the gas transportation actuator23may be a driving structure of a piezoelectric actuating pump or a driving structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pump. The gas transportation actuator23has an outlet aperture23afor transporting the gas to the first gas sensor21and the second gas sensor22. Hereinafter, the structures and actions of the gas transportation actuator23of a piezoelectric actuating pump will be described as follows.

Please refer toFIGS. 4, 5A and 5B. The gas transportation actuator23includes a gas inlet plate231, a resonance plate232, a piezoelectric actuator233, a first insulation plate234a, a conducting plate235and a second insulation plate234b. The piezoelectric actuator233is aligned with the resonance plate232. The gas inlet plate231, the resonance plate232, the piezoelectric actuator233, the first insulation plate234a, the conducting plate235and the second insulation plate234bare stacked on each other sequentially. After the above components are combined together, the cross-sectional view of the resulting structure of the gas transportation actuator23is shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

In this embodiment, the gas inlet plate231has at least one inlet231a. Preferably but not exclusively, the gas inlet plate231has four inlets231a. The inlets231arun through the gas inlet plate231. In response to the action of the atmospheric pressure, the gas can be introduced into the gas transportation actuator23through the at least one inlet231a. Moreover, at least one convergence channel231bis formed on a first surface of the gas inlet plate231, and is corresponding in position to the at least one inlet231aon a second surface of the gas inlet plate231. A central cavity231cis located at the intersection of the convergence channels231b. The central cavity231cis in communication with the convergence channels231b, such that the gas from the at least one inlet231awould be introduced into the at least one convergence channel231band is guided to the central cavity231c. Consequently, the gas transportation is achieved. In this embodiment, the at least one inlet231a, the at least one convergence channel231band the central cavity231cof the gas inlet plate231are integrally formed from a single structure. The central cavity231cforms a convergence chamber for temporarily storing the gas. In some embodiments, the gas inlet plate231may be, for example, made of stainless steel. In some other embodiments, the depth of the convergence chamber defined by the central cavity231cmay be equal to the depth of the at least one convergence channel231b, but not limited thereto. The resonance plate232is made of a flexible material, but not limited thereto. The resonance plate232has a central aperture232caligned with the central cavity231cof the gas inlet plate231which allows the gas to be transferred therethrough. In some other embodiments, the resonance plate232may be, for example, made of copper, but not limited thereto.

The piezoelectric actuator233includes a suspension plate2331, an outer frame2332, at least one bracket2333and a piezoelectric plate2334. The piezoelectric plate2334is attached on a first surface2331cof the suspension plate2331. In response to an applied voltage, the piezoelectric plate2334is subjected to a deformation so as to drive a bending vibration of the suspension plate2331. The at least one bracket2333is connected between the suspension plate2331and the outer frame2332, while the two ends of the bracket2333are connected with the outer frame2332and the suspension plate2331respectively that the bracket2333can elastically support the suspension plate2331. At least one vacant space2335is formed between the bracket2333, the suspension plate2331and the outer frame2332. The at least one vacant space2335is in communication with a gas channel for allowing the gas to go through. The type and number of the suspension plate2331, the outer frame2332and the bracket2333may be varied according to the practical requirements. The outer frame2332is arranged around the suspension plate2331. Moreover, a conducting pin2332cis protruded outwardly from the outer frame2332so as to be electrically connected with an external circuit (not shown), but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG. 6, the suspension plate2331has a bulge2331athat makes the suspension plate2331a stepped structure. The bulge2331ais formed on a second surface2331bof the suspension plate2331. The bulge2331amay be a circular convex structure. A top surface of the bulge2331aof the suspension plate2331is coplanar with a second surface2332aof the outer frame2332, while the second surface2331bof the suspension plate2331is coplanar with a second surface2333aof the bracket2333. Moreover, there is a specific depth from the bulge2331aof the suspension plate2331(or the second surface2332aof the outer frame2332) to the second surface2331bof the suspension plate2331(or the second surface2333aof the bracket2333). A first surface2331cof the suspension plate2331, a first surface2332bof the outer frame2332and a first surface2333bof the bracket2333are coplanar with each other. The piezoelectric plate2334is attached on the first surface2331cof the suspension plate2331. In some other embodiments, the suspension plate2331may be a square plate structure with two flat surfaces but the type of the suspension plate2331may be varied according to the practical requirements. In this embodiment, the suspension plate2331, the at least one bracket2333and the outer frame2332may be integrally formed from a metal plate (e.g., a stainless steel plate). In some other embodiments, the length of a side of the piezoelectric plate2334is smaller than the length of a side of the suspension plate2331. In some another embodiments, the length of a side of the piezoelectric plate2334is equal to the length of a side of the suspension plate2331. Similarly, the piezoelectric plate2334is a square plate structure corresponding to the suspension plate2331in terms of the design.

In this embodiment, the first insulation plate234a, the conducting plate235and the second insulation plate234bof the gas transportation actuator23are stacked on each other sequentially and located under the piezoelectric actuator233, as shown inFIG. 5A. The profiles of the first insulation plate234a, the conducting plate235and the second insulation plate234bsubstantially match the profile of the outer frame2332of the piezoelectric actuator233. In some embodiments, the first insulation plate234aand the second insulation plate234bmay be made of an insulating material (e.g. a plastic material) for providing insulating efficacy. In other embodiments, the conducting plate235may be made of an electrically conductive material (e.g. a metallic material) for providing electrically conducting efficacy. In this embodiment, the conducting plate235may have a conducting pin235adisposed thereon so as to be electrically connected with an external circuit (not shown).

Please refer toFIG. 7. In this embodiment, the gas inlet plate231, the resonance plate232, the piezoelectric actuator233, the first insulation plate234a, the conducting plate235and the second insulation plate234bof the gas transportation actuator23are stacked on each other sequentially. Moreover, there is a gap h between the resonance plate232and the outer frame2332of the piezoelectric actuator233. In this embodiment, the gap h between the resonance plate232and the outer frame2332of the piezoelectric actuator233, may be filled with a filler (e.g. a conductive adhesive) so that a depth from the resonance plate232to the bulge2331aof the suspension plate2331of the piezoelectric actuator233can be maintained. The gap h ensures the proper distance between the resonance plate232and the bulge2331aof the suspension plate2331of the piezoelectric actuator233, so that the gas can be transferred quickly, the contact interference is reduced and the generated noise is largely reduced. In some embodiments, alternatively, the height of the outer frame2332of the piezoelectric actuator233is increased, so that a gap is formed between the resonance plate232and the piezoelectric actuator233.

Please refer toFIG. 5A,FIG. 5BandFIG. 7. After the gas inlet plate231, the resonance plate232and the piezoelectric actuator233are combined together, a movable part232aand a fixed part232bof the resonance plate232are defined. The movable part232ais around the central aperture232c. The convergence chamber for converging the gas is defined by the movable part232aof the resonance plate232and the gas inlet plate231collaboratively. Moreover, a first chamber230is formed between the resonance plate232and the piezoelectric actuator233for temporarily storing the gas. Through the central aperture232cof the resonance plate232, the first chamber230is in communication with the convergence chamber formed in central cavity231cof the gas inlet plate231. The peripheral regions of the first chamber230are in communication with the gas channel through the vacant space2335between the brackets2333of the piezoelectric actuator233.

FIGS. 8A to 8Eschematically illustrate the actions of the gas transportation actuator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Please refer toFIG. 5A,FIG. 5B,FIG. 7andFIGS. 8A to 8E. The actions of the gas transportation actuator23will be described as follows. When the gas transportation actuator23is enabled, the piezoelectric actuator233vibrates along a vertical direction in a reciprocating manner by using the bracket2333as a fulcrum. Please refer toFIG. 8A, the piezoelectric actuator233vibrates downwardly in response to the applied voltage. Since the resonance plate232is light and thin, the resonance plate232vibrates along the vertical direction in the reciprocating manner in resonance with the piezoelectric actuator233. More specifically, a region of the resonance plate232spatially corresponding to the central cavity231cof the gas inlet plate231is also subjected to a bending deformation. The region of the resonance plate232corresponding to the central cavity231cof the gas inlet plate231is the movable part232aof the resonance plate232. When the piezoelectric actuator233deforms downwardly during vibration, the movable part232aof the resonance plate232is subjected to the bending deformation because the movable part232aof the resonance plate232is pushed by the gas and vibrates in response to the piezoelectric actuator233. In response to the downward deformation of the piezoelectric actuator233during vibration, the gas is fed into the at least one inlet231aof the gas inlet plate231. Then, the gas is transferred to the central cavity231cof the gas inlet plate231through the at least one convergence channel231b. Then, the gas is transferred through the central aperture232cof the resonance plate232spatially corresponding to the central cavity231c, and introduced downwardly into the first chamber230. As the piezoelectric actuator233is enabled, the resonance of the resonance plate232occurs. Consequently, the resonance plate232vibrates along the vertical direction in the reciprocating manner continuously. As shown inFIG. 8B, during the vibration of the movable part232aof the resonance plate232at this stage, the movable part232amoves down to contact and attach on the bulge2331aof the suspension plate2331of the piezoelectric actuator233, and a distance from the fixed part232bof the resonance plate232to a region of the suspension plate2331except the bulge2331aremains the same. Owing to the deformation of the resonance plate232described above, a middle communication space of the first chamber230is closed, and the volume of the first chamber230is compressed. Under this circumstance, the pressure gradient occurs to push the gas in the first chamber230moving toward peripheral regions of the first chamber230and flowing downwardly through the vacant space2335of the piezoelectric actuator233. Referring toFIG. 8C, the movable part232aof the resonance plate232returns to its original position when the piezoelectric actuator233deforms upwardly during vibration. Consequently, the volume of the first chamber230is continuously compressed and the piezoelectric actuator233is vibrated upwardly to generate the pressure gradient which makes the gas in the first chamber230continuously pushed toward peripheral regions. Meanwhile, the gas is continuously fed into the at least one inlet231aof the gas inlet plate231, and transferred to the convergence chamber formed in the central cavity231c. Then, as shown inFIG. 8D, the resonance plate232moves upwardly, which is cause by the resonance of upward motion of the piezoelectric actuator233. That is, the movable part232aof the resonance plate232is also vibrated upwardly. Consequently, it decreases the current of the gas from the at least one inlet231aof the gas inlet plate231into the central cavity231c. At last, as shown inFIG. 8E, the movable part232aof the resonance plate232has returned to its original position. As the embodiments described above, when the resonance plate232vibrates along the vertical direction in the reciprocating manner, the gap h between the resonance plate232and the piezoelectric actuator233is helpful to increase the maximum displacement along the vertical direction during the vibration. In other words, the configuration of the gap h between the resonance plate232and the piezoelectric actuator233can increase the amplitude of vibration of the resonance plate232. Consequently, a pressure gradient is generated in the gas channels of the gas transportation actuator23to facilitate the gas to flow at a high speed. Moreover, since there is an impedance difference between the feeding direction and the exiting direction, the gas can be transmitted from the inlet side to the outlet side. Consequently, the gas transportation is achieved. Even if a gas pressure (which may impede the gas flow) exists at the outlet side, the gas transportation actuator23still has the capability of pushing the gas to the gas channel while achieving the silent efficacy. The steps ofFIGS. 8A to 8Emay be done repeatedly. Consequently, gas circulation is generated in which the ambient gas is transferred from the outside to the inside by the gas transportation actuator23.

From the above descriptions, the present disclosure provides a gas detecting device. The first gas sensor of the gas detecting device has better capability for measuring the first gas. The first gas sensor measures the target gas when the gas transportation actuator is non-actuated and actuated, and transmits the first gas measured information to the data storage device. The second gas sensor of the gas detecting device has better capability for measuring the second gas. The second gas sensor measures the target gas when the gas transportation actuator is non-actuated and actuated, and transmits the second gas measured information to the data storage device. The data processor accesses the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information from the data storage device, and performs a cross comparison among the information stored in the gas database, the first gas measured information and the second gas measured information so that the concentration of the first gas is calculated. Therefore, the gas detecting device may measure the concentration of a single gas, which is mixed in a gas mixture, without separating the single gas from the gas mixture beforehand. In addition, the actuating-and-sensing module includes a miniature gas sensor and miniature gas transportation actuator so that the volume of the gas detecting device is reduced and the gas detecting device is convenient to carry.