DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GAS AND PARTICLE MEASUREMENT

Abstract

A device and a method for gas or particle measurement in a portable electronic device. The portable device includes a housing which, with the exception of an overflow opening, has an almost gas- and air-tight design. A display unit, an operating unit, a transceiver unit, and optionally a power supply unit may be integrated into the housing in particular. Furthermore, the housing may also include the required electronics. By deflecting a movable outer wall of the housing with the aid of an actuator, the volume of the inner space of the housing may be increased or reduced. A gas exchange between the inner space and the space outside of the housing may thereupon take place via the overflow opening in the housing, and a possible substance, in particular, a predetermined gaseous component or a particle concentration may be analyzed in a gas flow during this gas exchange.

Claims

1. A device for gas or particle measurement, comprising: a housing including a movable outer wall, which is movable relative to the remaining outer walls of the housing, and including an overflow opening, which is designed to enable a gas exchange between an inner space and a space outside of the housing; an actuator designed to deflect the movable outer wall of the housing; a control device designed to energize the actuator; and a sensor designed to detect a substance in a gas flow flowing through the overflow opening.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the movable outer wall of the housing includes a flexible wall.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the movable outer wall of the housing includes a rigid wall, and a sealing element is situated between the movable outer wall of the housing and the remaining housing.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the control device is designed to activate the sensor when the actuator is energized.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuator is designed to deflect the movable outer wall of the housing at a predetermined rate.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the overflow opening is designed to limit a volume flow through the overflow opening to a predetermined value.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuator is designed to deflect the movable outer wall of the housing from a rest position, and the device also includes a restoring device, which is designed to restore the movable outer wall of the housing into the rest position.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the overflow opening includes a first valve, which is designed to suppress a gas flow from the inner space to the space outside of the housing, and the housing includes a further opening including a second valve, which is designed to suppress a gas flow from the space outside to the inner space of the housing.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing also includes a chamber, which is connected to the overflow opening, and the chamber includes an at least partially flexible wall.

10. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following, situated in the housing: a display unit; an operating unit; transceiver unit; a control unit; an evaluation unit; and a power supply unit.

11. A method for gas or particle measurement, comprising: providing a housing including an outer wall which is movable with respect to the rest of the housing and including an overflow opening, which is designed to enable a gas exchange between an inner space and a space outside of the housing; providing an actuator designed to deflect the movable outer wall of the housing; deflecting the movable outer wall of the housing by energizing the actuator; and detecting a substance in a gas flow flowing through the overflow opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is described in greater detail below based on the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the schematic figures.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a cross section through a gas or particle measuring device according to one specific embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a cross section through a gas or particle measuring device according to another specific embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a cross section through a gas or particle measuring device according to yet another specific embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a top view of a gas or particle measuring device according to one specific embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a cross section through an electronic device including a gas or particle measuring device according to one specific embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a flow chart on which a method for gas or particle measurement according to one specific embodiment is based.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Unless otherwise stated, in all figures, identical elements or elements and devices having the same function are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a device 1 for gas or particle measurement according to one specific embodiment. Device 1 includes a housing 10. This housing 10 includes at least one outer wall 11, which is movable relative to the rest of the housing. For example, housing 10 may be the housing of a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, or of any other electronic device, in particular, of a portable electronic device. With the exception of movable outer wall 11, housing 10 is preferably formed by rigid, i.e., non-flexible or at least essentially non-flexible outer walls. Outer walls of this type may be formed, for example, by a metallic frame, plastic elements, and/or glass panels. Movable outer wall 11 is, in this exemplary embodiment, not fixedly connected to the remaining part of housing 10. Rather, a relative movement of both parts may occur at the connection points between movable outer wall 11 and the remaining parts of housing 10. A sealing element 12 is situated at the transition between movable outer wall 11 and the remaining part of housing 10. For example, this sealing element 12 may be a bellows, a rubber seal, or the like.

[0036] Housing 10 includes an overflow opening 30. This overflow opening 30 may be, in the simplest case, an opening having a predetermined size. Overflow opening 30 may have, for example, a circular, rectangular, or also any other shape. If necessary, a filter element (not shown here) may also be situated at overflow opening 30. Using such a filter element, it may be ensured that no undesirable substances, in particular, no particles beyond a predetermined size, may penetrate into the inner space of housing 10. With the exception of overflow opening 30, housing 10 has no, or at least no other significant, openings through which a gas exchange between the inner space of housing 10 and the space outside of housing 10 could be possible. The overflow opening may be situated, as FIG. 1 shows, at an edge of housing 10, for example. In addition, overflow opening 30 may also be situated in any other position of housing 10. For example, the overflow opening may be situated in movable outer wall 11 or on the side of the housing opposite to outer wall 11. Basically it is also conceivable that an already existing opening, such as, for example, an opening for a microphone or the like, be used as overflow opening.

[0037] Device 1 for gas or particle measurement also includes an actuator 20, which is designed to deflect movable outer wall 11 of housing 10. Actuator 20 is preferably situated in the inner space of housing 10. Actuator 20 may deflect movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 in the direction of the arrow. If movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 in FIG. 1 is deflected upward, the volume of the inner space of housing 10 increases. For equalizing the pressure between the inner space and the space outside of housing 10, a gas, in particular, the ambient air, flows from the outside into the inner space of housing 10. The gas flows through overflow opening 30 and further on past a sensor 40. Sensor 40 is able to detect a substance in the gas flowing through overflow opening 30 and past sensor 40. This may be, for example, the detection of one or multiple predetermined gas(es). For example, sensor 40 may be a sensor for nitrogen, oxygen, ozone, carbon dioxide and/or any other gas. In addition, sensors for detecting particles in a gas, in particular, particles of a predetermined size or of a predetermined size range are also possible. Sensors of this type for detection of particles are able to detect a quantity or a concentration of particles in a gas flowing past. Further sensors, for example, sensors for detecting moisture or the like, are also possible.

[0038] By adjusting the size or the geometry of overflow opening 30 and/or by setting the rate at which movable outer wall 11 is deflected by actuator 20, the gas flow flowing through overflow opening 30 past sensor 20 may be set.

[0039] Movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 may be deflected by actuator 20 to a maximum deflection. Movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 may subsequently be deflected in the opposite direction. In this way, the volume in the inner space of housing 10 is reduced and gas or air in the inner space of housing 10 flows through overflow opening 30 out into the space outside. Also in this case, it may be possible for sensor 40 to analyze the gas flowing past. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out the analysis of the gas flowing past only when the gas flows from the space outside to the inner space and not to carry out any detection by sensor 40 when the flow direction is reversed.

[0040] For moving movable outer wall 11 in FIG. 1 downward, i.e., for a movement of movable outer wall 11 to reduce the volume in the inner space of housing 10, movable outer wall 11 may be moved actively by actuator 20. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out this movement with the aid of an additional restoring element 21. In this case, movable outer wall 11 is deflected by actuator 20 from its rest position by actively energizing actuator 20, while deflected movable outer wall 11 is moved back into the rest position by restoring element 21 when actuator 20 is not actively energized. While movable outer wall 11 is restored by restoring element 21, energy may also be recovered if necessary with the aid of a generator element (not illustrated here). Actuator 20 may be any element for deflecting movable outer wall 11. In particular, piezoelectric elements or any other electromechanical elements are conceivable, for example.

[0041] If a larger quantity of gas is required for the analysis of a substance with the aid of sensor 40 than may be achieved by a one-time deflection of movable outer wall 11 by a single pumping motion with the aid of actuator 20, it is also possible that a predetermined number of consecutive deflections of movable outer wall 11 by actuator 20 takes place in order to achieve a predefined volume of a gas for the analysis by sensor 40.

[0042] Actuator 20 is energized, for example, by a control device 50. Control device 50 may synchronize the analysis by sensor 40 and the deflection of movable outer wall 11 by actuator 20, in particular. For example, sensor 40 may be activated whenever actuator 20 moves movable outer wall 11. For example, sensor 40 may be activated when the volume in the inner space of housing 10 is either increased or reduced by the movable outer wall 11 of housing 10. Alternatively, it is also possible to activate sensor 40 only when actuator 20 moves movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 outward, i.e., when the volume in the inner space of housing 10 is increased, i.e., a gas flow takes place from the space outside into the inner space of housing 10.

[0043] If necessary, device 1 for gas or particle measurement may also include further sensors (not illustrated), which detect further parameters, in particular, further surroundings parameters. For example, moisture or water may be detected in the outside space around housing 10 with the aid of a moisture sensor. When moisture or water is detected in the outside space around housing 10, a deflection of movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 may be subsequently suppressed if necessary. In this way, it may be ensured that, in the event of a high degree of moisture or water in the outside space, this moisture or water may not penetrate into the inner space of housing 10 through overflow opening 30, which may damage the other components in the inner space of housing 10. Additionally or alternatively, a possible vibration may also be detected by an acceleration sensor and then also a deflection of the movable outer wall may be suppressed if necessary. Furthermore, the position of device 1 for gas or particle measurement may also be detected with the aid of a position sensor. For example, the gas or particle measurement may be activated only when device 1 for gas or particle measurement is in one or multiple predetermined location(s). Alternatively, the measurement may also be activated whenever at least a predetermined distance is detected between a position of a previous measurement and the present position of device 1. In addition, the measurement at predetermined points in time or in predetermined time intervals may also be set with the aid of a timer.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows another specific embodiment of a device 1 for gas or particle measurement. This specific embodiment is mostly identical to the specific embodiment of FIG. 1. The specific embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs from the specific embodiment according to FIG. 1 only in that movable outer wall 11 is a flexible outer wall. Flexible, movable outer wall 11 may be connected to the remaining part of housing 10 fixedly and, in particular, hermetically. An additional sealing element may thus possibly be dispensed with. Deflection of movable outer wall 11 preferably takes place in the area around the center of movable outer wall 11. In this way, movable outer wall 11 may be deflected from a rest position.

[0045] Deflection preferably takes place by arching movable outer wall 11 outward with the aid of actuator 20.

[0046] However, movable outer wall 11 may also be arched inward with the aid of actuator 20. The volume of the inner space of housing 10 may also be increased or reduced in this way. Flexible, movable outer wall 11 may possibly be prestressed, which draws flexible movable outer wall 11 back into the rest position when movable outer wall 11 is not actively deflected by actuator 20.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows another specific embodiment of a device 1 for gas or particle measurement. Although movable outer wall 11 is illustrated here as a rigid outer wall similar to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, this exemplary embodiment may also be implemented with a flexible, movable outer wall according to FIG. 2. The specific embodiment according to FIG. 3 differs from the previous specific embodiments in particular, in that housing 10 has at least one further opening 31 in addition to overflow opening 30. Both overflow opening 30 and further opening 31 may be designed in such a way that only one gas flow is possible in one direction. For example, a first valve 35 may be situated on overflow opening 30, and a second valve 36 may be situated on further opening 31. It may thus be achieved, for example, that only one gas flow from the space outside to the inner space of housing 10 takes place through overflow opening 30, while valve 35 prevents a gas from flowing from the inner space to the space outside of housing 10. Similarly, it is possible to enable only a gas flow from the inner space to the space outside of housing 10 and to prevent a gas exchange from the space outside to the inner space of housing 10 with the aid of second valve 36 on further opening 31. In this way, it may be ensured that always only one gas flow takes place at any time from the space outside to the inner space of housing 10 through overflow opening 30, and thereby gas flows past sensor 40 situated near overflow opening 30.

[0048] By adjusting the cross-section or the rate of movement of actuator 20, different volume flows may be set if necessary for the inflow of gas into the inner space of housing 10 and the outflow of gas from the inner space to the space outside of housing 10. In other words, it may be made possible that the gas flows at a higher or lower rate into the inner space than from the inner space to the space outside. If necessary, further opening 36 may correspond to an opening for a microphone of a cell phone or the like. In this case, for example, during the outflow of the gas from the inner space to the space outside, a microphone channel may be blown out, i.e., cleaned with the aid of the gas flowing past.

[0049] In addition, in all previously described specific embodiments, a pumping motion is possible, for example, via a very rapid, strong deflection of outer wall 11 by suitably energizing actuator 20, which results in a high volume flow through overflow opening 30 and/or further opening 31, and if necessary, removing possible dirt at these openings in the process.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows another specific embodiment for a gas or particle measuring device. This specific embodiment may be combined with basically any of the previously described specific embodiments. It differs from the previous specific embodiments only by the fact that an additional chamber 15 is situated in housing 10. This additional chamber 15 separates one area of the inner space of housing 10 from the rest of the inner space of housing 10. A gas may flow from the space outside through overflow opening 30 into chamber 15. Chamber 15 has at least one flexible wall 16. Thus, if movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 is deflected by actuator 20, initially a pressure differential is created between the inner space and the space outside of housing 10. This pressure differential thus results in a deflection of flexible wall 16 of chamber 15. A gas or the air may thereupon flow from the space outside into the inner space of chamber 15 through overflow opening 30. Sensor 40 may also detect a substance in chamber 15. Since chamber 15 separates the inner space of chamber 15 connected to the space outside via overflow opening 30 from the remaining inner space of housing 10, a possibly harmful substance, such as moisture, for example, or an aggressive gas, may not penetrate the rest of the inner space of housing 10 and thus result in possible damage to the components in housing 10.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of an integration of a gas or particle measuring device into an electronic device. The electronic device may be, for example, a device of entertainment electronics. The integration of the gas or particle measuring device according to all previously described specific embodiments in electronic devices of this type is basically possible. In particular, integration into cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, tablet computers, and any other portable devices of entertainment electronics is possible. Overflow opening 30 is preferably not situated in movable outer wall 11 of housing 10.

[0052] The electronic device includes, in addition to the components named in connection with the above-named exemplary embodiments, a display unit 110, an operating unit 120, a transceiver unit 130, a control unit 140, an evaluation unit 150, and a power supply unit 160. Each of the above-mentioned units may also include suitable electronics, in particular, microprocessor-controlled electronics, which are designed to control the corresponding unit. Even when, for better understanding of the present invention, the additional units of an electronic device are not expressly mentioned in the above exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4, it is still possible that each of these specific embodiments includes further units 110 through 160.

[0053] Display unit 110 may be any display, such as, for example, an OLED or TFT display. In addition to displays of conventional functions, display unit 110 may also be designed to display measuring results of the gas or particle measuring device. Operating unit 120 may be any type of suitable input device. For example, user input may take place with the aid of a keyboard or a touch screen. In addition, further input methods such as, for example, voice input using a microphone, are also possible. By using a touch screen or the like, display unit 110 and operating unit 120 may be also combined into one unit.

[0054] Transceiver unit 130 may be a communication unit, which is designed to exchange data with an external partner. For example, transceiver unit 130 may be a wireless interface. In particular, transceiver unit 130 may carry out wireless communication with the aid of GSM, UMTS, LTE, WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, infrared, or the like. Transceiver unit 130 may be designed, in particular, to transmit measuring results of the gas or particle measuring device and/or to receive commands for a gas or particle measurement by the gas or particle measuring device. Control unit 140 may be designed to control the functions of the electronic device and in particular, also the functions of the gas or particle measuring device. For example, control unit 140 may include a microprocessor-controlled electronic circuit for this purpose. Evaluation unit 150 may include an electronic circuit, in particular, a microprocessor-controlled electronic circuit. Evaluation unit 150 may be designed to receive data from different components of the electronic device and to evaluate or analyze them. In particular, evaluation unit 150 may receive and process data from different sensors, such as, for example, sensor 40 of the gas or particle measuring device.

[0055] Power supply unit 160 may be, for example, a battery or a rechargeable battery. In addition, other components such as, for example, photovoltaic modules or the like are also possible, which are designed to provide electrical power. Furthermore, a cable-bound power supply or power transmission with the aid of electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields, is also possible. The individual components of the electronic device and, in particular, the components of the gas or particle measuring device, may thus also be supplied with electrical power.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a flow chart serving as a basis for a gas or particle measuring method according to one specific embodiment. In step S1, a housing 10 is initially provided. This housing 10 includes an outer wall 11, which is movable relative to the remaining housing 10. Furthermore, the housing includes an overflow opening, which is designed to enable a gas exchange between the inner space and the space outside of housing 10. Furthermore, an actuator 20 is provided, which is designed to deflect outer wall 11 of housing 10. In step S2, movable outer wall 11 of housing 10 is deflected by actuator 20, and thereupon in step S3, a substance is detected in the gas flow flowing through the overflow opening. The method described herein may be used, in particular, in an electronic device, in particular a device of entertainment electronics, as it was described, for example, for example, in connection with FIG. 5.

[0057] In summary, the present invention relates to a device and a method for gas or particle measurement in a portable electronic device. The portable device includes a housing, which has an almost gas- and air-tight design, except for an overflow opening. In particular, a display unit, an operating unit, a transceiver unit, and optionally a power supply unit may be integrated into the housing. Furthermore, the housing may also include the necessary electronics such as, for example, a control unit, an evaluation unit, etc. By deflecting a movable outer wall of the housing with the aid of an actuator, the volume of the inner space of the housing may be increased or reduced. A gas exchange may then take place between the inner space and the space outside of the housing through the overflow opening in the housing, and a possible substance in a gas flow, in particular, a predetermined gaseous component or a particle concentration, may be analyzed during this gas exchange.