FIELD
The subject matter herein generally relates to fluid analysis, especially to a gas sampling mechanism and a gas analysis device having the same.
BACKGROUND
Molecular detection of odors is mainly realized by an odor sensor. A selective permeable membrane is applied on the odor sensor, and small volatile organic molecules can pass through the permeable membrane and be detected by the odor sensor.
In order to improve detecting efficiency of the small volatile organic molecules, it is necessary to open up and expose the odor sensor together with the permeable membrane to the environment which includes the odor/gas to be detected. However, the membrane and sensor may thus be polluted and even damaged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a gas sampling mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the gas sampling mechanism of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a pump structure of the gas sampling mechanism of FIG. 1, showing gas flows from an inlet chamber to a pump chamber.
FIG. 4 is a similar to FIG. 3, but showing gas flows from the pump chamber to external environment.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a gas analysis device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.
The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gas sampling mechanism 100. The gas sampling mechanism 100 takes an airflow to an odor molecular detector 300. The gas sampling mechanism 100 is structured to protect the odor molecular detector 300 from contamination.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gas sampling mechanism 100 includes an inlet chamber 10, a pump chamber 20, an inlet valve 30, an outlet valve 40, and a pump assembly 50. The inlet chamber 10 communicates with the pump chamber 20. The pump assembly 50 is connected to the pump chamber 20. The inlet valve 30 is arranged between the inlet chamber 10 and the pump chamber 20. The outlet valve 40 is arranged on the pump chamber 20 and connected to an external environment. The inlet chamber 10 defines a first opening 11 and a second opening 12. The first opening 11 communicates with the external environment which carries gas molecules to be detected. The second opening 12 faces the odor molecular detector 300.
The pump assembly 50 can compress or evacuate air inside the pump chamber 20, so that the pump assembly 50 can drive air from the external environment into the pump chamber 20 through the first opening 11, and drive a portion of the air from the inlet chamber 10 towards the odor molecule detector 200 through the second opening 12. The odor molecule detector 200 detects odor molecules within the air and the concentration of the odor molecules. In at least one embodiment, the odor molecule detector 200 may be a volatile organic detector.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pump chamber 20 includes an entrance wall 21 and an exit wall 22. The entrance wall 21 includes a first plate 211 and a second plate 212 opposite to the first plate 211. The first plate 211 is spaced from the second plate 212 to form a first receiving space 213. The inlet valve 30 is movably arranged within the first receiving space 213. The first plate 211 defines a first through hole 214. The second plate 212 defines a second through hole 215. A first direction A is defined as a direction from the first plate 211 to the second plate 212. A projection of the first through hole 214 along the first direction A is within the inlet valve 30. A projection of the inlet valve 30 along the first direction A is within the second through hole 215. That is, a first gap S1 is formed between an outer surface of the inlet valve 30 and an inner surface of the second through hole 214. The inlet valve 30 is able to seal the first through hole 214, but not able to seal the second through hole 215.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the exit wall 22 includes a third plate 221 and a fourth plate 222 opposite to the third plate 221. The third plate 221 is spaced from the fourth plate 222 to form a second receiving space 223. The outlet valve 40 is movably arranged within the second receiving space 223. The third plate 221 defines a third through hole 224. The fourth plate 222 defines a fourth through hole 225. A second direction B is defined as a direction from the third plate 221 to the fourth plate 222. A projection of the third through hole 224 along the second direction B is within the outlet valve 40. A projection of the outlet valve 40 along the second direction B is within the fourth through hole 225. That is, a second gap S2 is formed between an outer surface of the outlet valve 40 and an inner surface of the fourth through hole 224. The outlet valve 40 can seal the third through hole 224, but cannot seal the fourth through hole 225.
When in use, the pump assembly 50 compresses air inside the pump chamber 20. Air flows from pump chamber 20 to the inlet chamber 10 through the second through hole 212 and the first through hole 211 successively, and the air pushes the inlet valve 30 towards the second through hole 214 until the inlet valve 30 seals the second through hole 215. Meanwhile, air flows from the pump chamber 20 to the external environment through the third through hole 224 and the fourth through hole 225 successively, and the air pushes the outlet valve 40 to move towards the fourth through hole 225. Because of the existing of the second gap S2, the outlet valve 40 cannot seal the fourth through hole 225, and the air inside the pump chamber 20 can flow freely to the external environment.
The pump assembly 50 can also create a vacuum inside the pump chamber 20. Air inside the inlet chamber 10 flows to the pump chamber 20 through the first through hole 214 and the second through hole 215 successively, and the air pushes the inlet valve 30 to move towards the second through hole 215. Because of the existing of the first gap S1, the inlet valve 30 cannot seal the second through hole 214, and the air can flow freely from the inlet chamber 10 to the pump chamber 20, and the pump assembly 50 can pull air from the external environment into the inlet chamber 10 through the first opening 11. Meanwhile, air from the external environment pushes the outlet valve 40 to move towards the third through hole 224 and seals the third through hole 224, so that air from the external environment cannot enter the pump chamber 20 through the fourth through hole 225 and the third through hole 224.
With the above configuration, air in the pump chamber 20, analogous to current in a diode, can flow in only one direction, which is out to the external environment, thereby providing unidirectional airflow to the odor molecular detector 300. Meanwhile, the air pump mechanism 100 can be configured to cover the odor molecular detector 300 and to protect the odor molecular detector 300 from being polluted and damaged.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the entrance wall 21 further includes a first baffle 216. A portion of the second plate 212 extends inside the second through hole 215 to form the first baffle 216. A projection of the first baffle 216 along the first direction A is within the inlet valve 30. That is, the first baffle 216 can stop the inlet valve 30 from moving out of the first receiving space 213. The exit wall 22 further includes a second baffle 226. A portion of the fourth plate 222 extends inside the fourth through hole 225 to form the second baffle 226. A projection of the second baffle 226 along the second direction B is within the outlet valve 40. That is, the second baffle 226 can stop the outlet valve 40 from moving out of the second receiving space 22.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, in this embodiment, the first through hole 214 faces the second through hole 215 along the first direction A. Therefore, when air pressure inside the pump chamber 20 changes, the two pressures applied on each side of the inlet valve 30 are roughly collinear, so that the inlet valve 30 will move along the first direction A without shifting. The third through hole 224 faces the fourth through hole 22 along the second direction B. Therefore, when air pressure inside the pump chamber 20 changes, the two pressures applied on each side of the outlet valve 40 are roughly collinear, so that the outlet valve 40 will move along the second direction without shifting. In another embodiment, a rail (not shown) may be arranged inside the first receiving space 213 or the second receiving space 223. The rail is configured to guide the moving direction of the inlet valve 30 or the outlet valve 40.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the inlet chamber 10 is L-shaped, and the pump chamber 20 is cuboid. The pump chamber 20 is connected to the inlet chamber 10 to form a cuboid. The inlet chamber 10 includes a box body 13 and a box cover 14 detachably connected to the box body 13. The box body 13 and the box cover 14 are matched to form the inlet chamber 10. The box cover 14 defines the first opening 11. The box body 13 defines the second opening 12. The pump chamber 20 further includes a bottom plate 24, a top plate 25, and a plurality of side plates 26. The bottom plate 24 is connected to a side of the box body 13. The side plate 26, the entrance wall 21, and the exit wall 22 are connected to a periphery of the bottom plate 24. The top plate 25 is connected to the box cover 14. The top late 25 defines a third opening 23. The pump assembly 50 is connected to the third opening 23.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the pump assembly 50 includes an air squeezer 51 which is operated manually. The air squeezer 51 includes a blow nozzle 511 and an elastic cavity 512 connected to the blow nozzle 511. Air inside the elastic cavity 512 can be squeezed out from the blow nozzle 511. The blow nozzle 511 communicates with the third opening 23. In other embodiments, the pump assembly 50 may be an electric air compressor.
In this embodiment, the pump assembly 50 further includes a spring 52. One end of the spring 52 goes through the blow nozzle 511 and resists against the elastic cavity 512, and another end of the spring 52 goes through the third opening 23 and resists against the pump chamber 20. The spring 52 provides rebounding force returning the elastic cavity 512 to its original shape after being pressed.
Referring to FIGS. 3, and 4, in this embodiment, the inlet valve 30 is roughly petal-shaped. The inlet valve 30 includes a first surface 31 and a second surface 32 opposite to the first surface 31. The first surface 31 is convex away from the second surface 32, and the second surface 32 is concave toward the first surface 31. The first through hole 214 is arranged to correspond to the first surface 31, and the second through hole 215 is arranged to correspond to the second surface 32. Since the first surface 31 is convex, the first surface 31 can seal the first through hole 214, and a portion of the second surface 32 can be blocked by the first baffle 216. An inner surface of the second through hole 215 is spaced from a periphery of the second surface 32 to form the first gap S1, which allows air to pass through.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, in this embodiment, the outlet valve 40 is roughly petal-shaped. The outlet valve 40 includes a third surface 41 and a fourth surface 42 opposite to the third surface 41. The third surface 41 is convex away from the fourth surface 42, and the fourth surface 42 is concave toward the third surface 41. The third through hole 224 corresponds to the third surface 41, and the fourth through hole 225 corresponds to the fourth surface 42. Since the third surface 41 is convex, the convexity can seal the third through hole 224, and a portion of the fourth surface 42 can be blocked by the second baffle 226. An inner surface of the fourth through hole 225 is spaced from a periphery of the fourth surface 42 forming the second gap S2, which allows gas to pass through.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the embodiment also provides a gas analysis device 400. The gas analysis device 400 includes a selective permeable membrane 200, an odor molecular detector 300, and the gas sampling mechanism 100. The selective permeable membrane 200 is arranged on the odor molecular detector 300, and the selective permeable membrane 200 is arranged to correspond to the second opening 12. Specifically, the gas analysis device 400 can be incorporated into a mobile phone, a smart watch, etc.
It is to be understood, even though information and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the plain meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Patent Application
20240053315
