JPH06148116A - Semi-conductor gas detecting device - Google Patents

Semi-conductor gas detecting device

Info

Publication number
JPH06148116A
JPH06148116A JP32118992A JP32118992A JPH06148116A JP H06148116 A JPH06148116 A JP H06148116A JP 32118992 A JP32118992 A JP 32118992A JP 32118992 A JP32118992 A JP 32118992A JP H06148116 A JPH06148116 A JP H06148116A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
gas
gas detection
temperature
heater
sensor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP32118992A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP3262867B2 (en
Inventor
Yasuhiro Sato
康弘 佐藤
Wasaburo Ota
和三郎 太田
Tsutomu Ishida
力 石田
Etsuko Fujisawa
悦子 藤沢
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ricoh Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority to JP32118992A priority Critical patent/JP3262867B2/en
Publication of JPH06148116A publication Critical patent/JPH06148116A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3262867B2 publication Critical patent/JP3262867B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable rapid recovery of sensor output into steady state after gas detection has been completed by varying heater applied voltage into external signals to maintain the sensor output before gas detection in steady state. CONSTITUTION:A heater lead 8c is located on a bridge 3 by extending it in parallel with detection leads 5a and 5b, and connected to heater electrodes 8a arid 8b installed on pedestals 1b and 1b, respectively. A circuit to heat more than in ordinary gas detection is also installed in a heater drive circuit to make rapidly the recovery of electric conductivity after gas detection has been completed and stabilize the conductivity during the gas detection. For example, before gas is detected, the temperature is increased to a high temperature T2 once and, hereafter, alternated between a proper temperature T1 and the high temperature T2, and gas is detected at the proper temperature. At the high temperature, atmospheric gas adsorped on a sensor is cleaned to stabilize the electric conductivity of the sensor for the next gas detection.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【技術分野】本発明は、半導体ガス検出装置、より詳細
には、雰囲気中に特定ガスが存在するか否かを検出する
ガスセンサに関する。
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a semiconductor gas detection device, and more particularly to a gas sensor for detecting whether or not a specific gas is present in an atmosphere.

【0002】[0002]

【従来技術】ガス検出装置には、金属酸化物を使用する
半導体方式のものと触媒を使用する接触燃焼方式のもの
があるが、いずれの場合にもヒータを用いてガス感応素
子を加熱する必要がある。しかし、これらはいずれも消
費電力が大きく、又、応答性にも問題がある。そのた
め、微細加工によるマイクロヒータを使用するガス検出
装置(特公昭62−2438号公報、特開昭61−19
1953号公報等)が提案されており、このマイクロヒ
ータの使用により消費電力及び応答性が大幅に改善され
た。
2. Description of the Related Art Gas detectors include a semiconductor type using a metal oxide and a catalytic combustion type using a catalyst. In either case, it is necessary to heat a gas sensitive element using a heater. There is. However, all of them have large power consumption and also have a problem in responsiveness. Therefore, a gas detection device using a micro-heater by microfabrication (Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-2438, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-19).
1953), and the use of this micro-heater has significantly improved power consumption and responsiveness.

【0003】上述のごときマイクロヒータを使用したガ
スセンサにおいては、従来、センサ加熱用マイクロヒー
タ回路として、前記マイクロヒータに一定の駆動電圧を
印加し、該マイクロヒータを一定温度で加熱するマイク
ロヒータ回路や、マイクロヒータに一定の駆動電圧をパ
ルス的に印加するパルス回路が使用されているが、検知
対象ガス及び外部雰囲気中の吸着性ガスの影響により、
それらを検知すると、(それらのガスを吸着すると)、
センサ抵抗の初期状態への復帰に時間がかかるという問
題点があると同時に、表面状態が不安定のため検知対象
ガスの濃度を定量化することが困難であるといった問題
がある。
In the gas sensor using the microheater as described above, conventionally, as a microheater circuit for heating a sensor, a microheater circuit for applying a constant drive voltage to the microheater to heat the microheater at a constant temperature, , A pulse circuit that applies a constant drive voltage to the micro-heater in a pulsed manner is used.
When they detect them (adsorb those gases),
There is a problem that it takes time to return the sensor resistance to the initial state, and at the same time, there is a problem that it is difficult to quantify the concentration of the gas to be detected because the surface state is unstable.

【0004】[0004]

【目的】本発明は、上述のごとき実情に鑑みてなされた
もので、特に、マイクロヒータを用いたガス検出装置に
おいて、前記マイクロヒータ駆動回路によるヒータ印加
電圧を外部信号によって変えることが出来るようにする
ことによって、ガス検知前のセンサ出力を安定状態、即
ち、定常状態に保ち、ガス検知後のセンサ出力の定常状
態への復帰を迅速に行なうことが出来るガス検出装置、
更には、センサ出力の安定化によりガス濃度を校正する
ことが可能なガス検出装置を提供することを目的とする
ものである。
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and in particular, in a gas detection device using a microheater, a heater applied voltage by the microheater drive circuit can be changed by an external signal. By doing so, the sensor output before gas detection is in a stable state, that is, in a steady state, and a gas detection device capable of quickly returning the sensor output after gas detection to a steady state,
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a gas detection device capable of calibrating the gas concentration by stabilizing the sensor output.

【0005】[0005]

【構成】本発明は、上記目的を達成するために、(1)
空中に張り出して設けられた電気絶縁性材料からなる張
出部と、該張出し部上に設けられたガス検出用の金属酸
化物半導体と、該金属酸化物半導体に接触する電極リー
ドと、前記金属酸化物半導体を加熱するためのヒータと
を有する半導体ガス検出装置において、前記ヒータをガ
ス検出温度に加熱する電圧(電流)を印加する手段と、
該温度より高い温度に加熱する電圧(電流)を印加する
手段と、これらの手段を外部信号により切り替える切り
替え手段とを有すること、更には、(2)前記(1)に
おいて、通常は、前記ヒータをガス検出温度より高い温
度にしておき、ガス検出時に、該ガス検出温度に切り替
えること、更には、(3)前記(1)において、前記ガ
ス検出温度にする手段とガス検出温度より高い温度にす
る手段とを自動的に一定時間毎に切り替えること、更に
は、(4)前記(1)又は(2)又は(3)において、
前記金属酸化物半導体に対して複数のヒータを有し、ガ
ス検出温度にするとき、前記複数のヒータのうちの一部
を加熱しないか低温にすることを特徴としたものであ
る。
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1)
An overhanging portion made of an electrically insulating material provided overhanging in the air, a metal oxide semiconductor for gas detection provided on the overhanging portion, an electrode lead in contact with the metal oxide semiconductor, and the metal In a semiconductor gas detection device having a heater for heating an oxide semiconductor, means for applying a voltage (current) for heating the heater to a gas detection temperature,
Having a means for applying a voltage (current) for heating to a temperature higher than the temperature and a switching means for switching these means by an external signal, and (2) In the above (1), usually the heater. Is set to a temperature higher than the gas detection temperature, and when the gas is detected, the gas detection temperature is switched to, and further, (3) in (1), the means for setting the gas detection temperature and the temperature higher than the gas detection temperature are used. Automatically switching between the means for doing so at regular intervals, and (4) in (1) or (2) or (3) above,
A plurality of heaters are provided for the metal oxide semiconductor, and when the gas detection temperature is set, a part of the plurality of heaters is not heated or is set to a low temperature.

【0006】図1は、本発明が適用される半導体ガス検
出装置の一例を説明するための図で、ガス検出装置10
は、略正方形の形状をした基板1の上に一体的に構成さ
れており、図示の如く、基板1の左上角部及び右下角部
には台座部1b,1bが形成されており基板1の他の部
分に凹所1aを形成している。これらの台座部1b,1
b間に架橋して電気的絶縁性材料からなるブリッジ3が
形成されており、空中に張り出した架橋構造を構成して
いる。
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a semiconductor gas detecting device to which the present invention is applied.
Are integrally formed on the substrate 1 having a substantially square shape, and as shown in the drawing, pedestals 1b and 1b are formed at the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the substrate 1, respectively. The recess 1a is formed in the other portion. These pedestals 1b, 1
A bridge 3 made of an electrically insulating material is formed by bridging between b to form a bridging structure protruding in the air.

【0007】ブリッジ3上には1対の検出用リード5
a,5bが端部を互いに対向させ、且つ所定距離離間し
て配設されており、その対向領域部分には所定の半導体
材料からなるガス検出層7が形成されてガス検出領域を
画定している。ガス検出層7は検出用リード5a及び5
bの対向端部に夫々接触して設けられており、ガスの吸
着によりその抵抗値が変化し、その変化を検出すること
によってガスの検出を行なう。検出用リード5a,5b
は互いに反対方向へブリッジ3上を延在しており、夫々
の台座1b,1b上に絶縁層を介して設けられている検
出用電極9a,9bに接続されている。ブリッジ3上に
は検出用リード5a,5bと並列的に延在してヒータリ
ード8cが設けられており、台座部1b,1b上に夫々
設けられているヒータ用電極8a,8bに接続されてい
る。
A pair of detection leads 5 is provided on the bridge 3.
a and 5b are arranged such that their ends are opposed to each other and are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and a gas detection layer 7 made of a predetermined semiconductor material is formed in the opposed region portion to define the gas detection region. There is. The gas detection layer 7 includes detection leads 5a and 5
They are provided in contact with the opposite ends of b, respectively, and their resistance changes due to the adsorption of gas, and the gas is detected by detecting the change. Detection leads 5a, 5b
Extend in the opposite directions on the bridge 3 and are connected to the detection electrodes 9a and 9b provided on the respective pedestals 1b and 1b via an insulating layer. A heater lead 8c is provided on the bridge 3 so as to extend in parallel with the detection leads 5a and 5b, and is connected to the heater electrodes 8a and 8b provided on the pedestals 1b and 1b, respectively. There is.

【0008】上述のように、空中に張り出して設けられ
た電気絶縁性材料から成る張出し部、前記張出し部上に
設けられたガス検出用の金属酸化物半導体層に接触する
電極リード及び前記電極リードにほぼ並置し設けられた
ヒータリードを有するガス検出装置は公知である。斯様
なガス検出装置において、通常、ガス検出は、前記ヒー
タリードにより300〜450℃に加熱された金属酸化
物半導体の抵抗値が、該金属酸化物半導体表面でのガス
吸着により変化することを利用して行われている。一般
に、金属酸化物半導体を加熱すると表面に雰囲気中の酸
素が負荷電吸着し、前記金属酸化物半導体の電気伝導度
が低下する。雰囲気中に検知対象ガス(還元性ガス)が
存在すると前記負荷電吸着酸素と反応し、金属酸化物半
導体の電気伝導度が変化することによりガス検知を行
う。しかし、上述のごときガスセンサにおいては、雰囲
気の影響を強く受け、ガス検知前の電気伝導度が不安定
であるといった問題がある。
As described above, the overhanging portion made of an electrically insulating material, which is provided overhanging in the air, the electrode lead contacting the metal oxide semiconductor layer for gas detection provided on the overhanging portion, and the electrode lead. A gas detection device having a heater lead arranged substantially parallel to each other is known. In such a gas detection device, usually, in gas detection, the resistance value of the metal oxide semiconductor heated to 300 to 450 ° C. by the heater lead is changed by gas adsorption on the surface of the metal oxide semiconductor. It is done by using. In general, when a metal oxide semiconductor is heated, oxygen in the atmosphere is negatively adsorbed on the surface, and the electric conductivity of the metal oxide semiconductor decreases. When a gas to be detected (reducing gas) is present in the atmosphere, it reacts with the negatively-charged oxygen and changes the electric conductivity of the metal oxide semiconductor, thereby performing gas detection. However, the gas sensor as described above has a problem that it is strongly affected by the atmosphere and the electric conductivity before gas detection is unstable.

【0009】そこで、本発明は、ヒータ駆動回路に通常
のガス検知時よりも高温加熱をする回路を併設すること
により、ガス検知後の電気伝導度の復帰を迅速にし、ガ
ス検知時の電気伝導度の安定化を図り、表面状態の安定
性を確保し、また、この効果により、雰囲気中に存在す
る検知対象ガスの定量化を可能にするものである。以
下、本発明による半導体ガス検出装置につき添付の図面
により、更に詳細に説明する。
Therefore, according to the present invention, a heater driving circuit is provided with a circuit for heating at a higher temperature than that during normal gas detection, so that the electric conductivity after gas detection is quickly restored and the electric conductivity during gas detection is increased. The stability of the surface state is ensured by stabilizing the temperature, and this effect makes it possible to quantify the gas to be detected existing in the atmosphere. Hereinafter, the semiconductor gas detection device according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

【0010】図2は、本発明の実施例を説明するための
図で、同図は、ヒータ駆動回路によるヒータ温度のパタ
ーンを示す図である。図1において、T1は、当該ガス
検出に適した温度(以下、「適温」という)、T2は半
導体表面に吸着したガスを脱離させるための前記温度T
1より高い温度(以下、「高温」という)で、請求項1
に記載の発明においては、ガスを検出する前に一度温度
を高温T2まで上げ、以降、前記適温(T1)と高温(T
2)を交互にくり返し、適温時に、ガスの検出を行い、
高温時に、センサに吸着した雰囲気ガスをパージ(クリ
ーニング)し、次のガス検出に当ってのセンサの電気伝
導度を安定させ、また、請求項2に記載の発明において
は、ヒータ温度を、通常は、高温T2にホールドし、ガ
ス検出時に、外部信号により適温T1に切り換えるよう
にしたものである。
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, which is a diagram showing a heater temperature pattern by a heater driving circuit. In FIG. 1, T 1 is a temperature suitable for gas detection (hereinafter referred to as “suitable temperature”), and T 2 is the temperature T for desorbing the gas adsorbed on the semiconductor surface.
Claim 1 at a temperature higher than 1 (hereinafter referred to as "high temperature")
In the invention described in ( 1 ), the temperature is raised to a high temperature T 2 once before detecting the gas, and thereafter, the appropriate temperature (T 1 ) and the high temperature (T
Repeat 2 ) alternately to detect the gas at the proper temperature,
At a high temperature, the atmospheric gas adsorbed on the sensor is purged (cleaned) to stabilize the electric conductivity of the sensor in the next gas detection. Further, in the invention according to claim 2, the heater temperature is usually set to Is to hold at a high temperature T 2 and switch to an appropriate temperature T 1 by an external signal when gas is detected.

【0011】上述のように、半導体ガスセンサにおい
て、センサのヒータ温度を、ガス検出に適した温度T1
と、センサに吸着した雰囲気ガスをパージする高温T2
とで繰り返すようにすると、ガス検出時の電気伝導度
(抵抗)を安定化することが可能になり、また、吸着性
ガス(炭化水素、アルコール、炭素酸化物、窒素酸化
物、硫黄酸化物、アンモニア等の有機・無機化合物)が
雰囲気中に存在することを検知した後、金属酸化物半導
体の電気伝導度がガス検知前の定常状態に復帰する時間
を短縮することが可能になる。
As described above, in the semiconductor gas sensor, the heater temperature of the sensor is set to the temperature T 1 suitable for gas detection.
And high temperature T 2 for purging the atmospheric gas adsorbed by the sensor
By repeating with, it becomes possible to stabilize the electric conductivity (resistance) at the time of gas detection, and the adsorptive gas (hydrocarbon, alcohol, carbon oxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, After detecting the presence of (organic / inorganic compound such as ammonia) in the atmosphere, it is possible to shorten the time required for the electric conductivity of the metal oxide semiconductor to return to the steady state before gas detection.

【0012】図3は、ガス検出後、定常状態へ復帰する
までの時間経過を、従来技術(一定温度)と比較して示
す図で、同図から明らかなように、本発明によると、ガ
ス検出後の定常状態におけるセンサの抵抗率が安定し、
この定常状態の安定化から、金属酸化物半導体の表面状
態の再現性が高まり、各種ガスに対するセンサ出力の信
頼性が増す。
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time lapse after the gas is detected until it returns to a steady state in comparison with the prior art (constant temperature). As is clear from the figure, according to the present invention, the gas The resistivity of the sensor in the steady state after detection is stable,
Due to the stabilization of the steady state, the reproducibility of the surface state of the metal oxide semiconductor is improved, and the reliability of the sensor output for various gases is increased.

【0013】図4は、各種ガス(iso−C410,NH
3,C25OH)に対するセンサ出力の濃度特性の信頼性
を示す図で、同図から明らかなように、センサ出力の濃
度特性から、精度の優れたガス濃度定量可能なガスセン
サが実現できる。また、比較的低い温度(常温〜250
℃程度)においては雰囲気中の吸着性ガスの影響を受け
やすく、例えば、COのような比較的低い温度でガス感
度を有するようなガスに対しては、このような雰囲気中
の吸着性ガスの影響によりガス感度が低下するといった
問題点がある。このような比較的低い温度でガス感度を
有するガスを検出、定量化するためにも本発明によるヒ
ータ駆動回路は重要である。図5にこのCOについて、
本発明による駆動方法と従来の駆動方法(一定温度)の
場合と比較して示す。
FIG. 4 shows various gases (iso-C 4 H 10 , NH
It is a diagram showing the reliability of the concentration characteristics of the sensor output with respect to ( 3 , C 2 H 5 OH). As is clear from the figure, it is possible to realize a gas sensor capable of quantifying the gas concentration with excellent accuracy from the concentration characteristics of the sensor output. . In addition, a relatively low temperature (normal temperature to 250
At about (° C.), it is easily affected by the adsorbent gas in the atmosphere. For example, for a gas such as CO having a gas sensitivity at a relatively low temperature, the adsorbent gas in such an atmosphere is There is a problem that the gas sensitivity is lowered due to the influence. The heater drive circuit according to the present invention is also important for detecting and quantifying a gas having gas sensitivity at such a relatively low temperature. About this CO in Figure 5,
The driving method according to the present invention and the conventional driving method (constant temperature) are compared and shown.

【0014】請求項3に記載の発明は、前記ヒータ温度
パターンの制御を外部信号によってではなく、図2に示
した温度パターンで自動的に駆動することを特徴とした
ものである。ここで、ガス検知時のヒータ加熱(T1
の前に表面で吸着した吸着物を離脱するための高温加熱
(T2)を行うもので、この高温加熱時間(t1′〜
2′)は、数 msec〜数 minの範囲で任意に設定するこ
とができる。また、ガス検知時加熱時間(t1 0〜t2 0
についても数 msec〜数 minの範囲で任意に設定するこ
とができる。
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the control of the heater temperature pattern is automatically driven not by an external signal but by the temperature pattern shown in FIG. Here, heating the heater when gas is detected (T 1 )
Before heating, high temperature heating (T 2 ) is performed to remove the adsorbate adsorbed on the surface, and this high temperature heating time (t 1 ′ ~
t 2 ′) can be set arbitrarily within the range of several msec to several min. Further, gas detection when the heating time (t 1 0 ~t 2 0)
Can also be set arbitrarily within the range of several msec to several min.

【0015】請求項に記載の発明は、前述のごとき、ヒ
ータを複数設け、ガス検出時に一部のヒータに印加する
電圧(電流)を0ないし低電圧(低電流)にすることに
より、ヒータにかかるヒートショックを低減するように
したものであり、ヒータショックを低減することにより
ヒータの寿命を延ばすことが出来る。
According to the invention described in the claims, as described above, a plurality of heaters are provided, and the voltage (current) applied to a part of the heaters at the time of gas detection is set to 0 or low voltage (low current). The heat shock is reduced, and the life of the heater can be extended by reducing the heater shock.

【0016】次に、本発明の概要について簡単に説明す
る。ヒータ制御回路には高温加熱(400〜700℃程
度)、ガス検出時加熱(室温〜500℃程度)の2つの
加熱パターンを有し、該ヒータ制御回路を外部信号によ
って切り替えることができる。センサ電圧として適当な
一定電圧Vsを印加しておく。センサ出力にはセンサの
電導度に比例した電圧が表われる。検出回路では、前記
ガス検知時加熱の電圧をモニターし、この電圧値変化に
よりガス検知を行う。前記2つの加熱パターンは連続加
熱でも間欠加熱でも良い。
The outline of the present invention will be briefly described below. The heater control circuit has two heating patterns of high temperature heating (about 400 to 700 ° C.) and gas detection heating (room temperature to about 500 ° C.), and the heater control circuit can be switched by an external signal. An appropriate constant voltage Vs is applied as the sensor voltage. A voltage proportional to the electric conductivity of the sensor appears in the sensor output. In the detection circuit, the heating voltage during gas detection is monitored, and gas detection is performed based on this voltage value change. The two heating patterns may be continuous heating or intermittent heating.

【0017】[0017]

【実施例】例えば、雰囲気中にアルコール系ガス(C2
5OH)が高濃度(10%以上)で存在するのを検知
した場合、ガス検知部表面での反応では消費できない量
であるため、該ガス検知部表面に吸着して脱離するのに
時間がかかるという現象が起こる。一般に、このような
有機系ガスは吸着性は高いが、例えば、水蒸気すなわち
湿度等の吸着も起こる。センサの電導度(δ)が、エア
ーレベルよりも低下した状態で保持され、この状態では
他の還元性ガスが存在しても検知できなくなる。通常の
一定温度加熱(300℃)では、図6に示すように、高
濃度(10%)C25OHガス検知後にエアーレベルに
復帰するまでに、約10分かかる。しかし、ガス検知後
に約10秒の高温加熱を行なった場合には、エアーレベ
ルまで数秒で復帰する。
EXAMPLES For example, in an atmosphere, an alcohol-based gas (C 2
When H 5 OH) is detected to be present at a high concentration (10% or more), the amount of H 5 OH cannot be consumed by the reaction on the surface of the gas detection unit, and therefore it is adsorbed on the surface of the gas detection unit and desorbed. The phenomenon that it takes time occurs. Generally, such an organic gas has a high adsorptivity, but, for example, it also adsorbs water vapor, that is, humidity. The electric conductivity (δ) of the sensor is maintained in a state of being lower than the air level, and in this state, even if other reducing gas is present, it cannot be detected. With normal constant temperature heating (300 ° C.), as shown in FIG. 6, it takes about 10 minutes to return to the air level after detecting the high concentration (10%) C 2 H 5 OH gas. However, when high temperature heating is performed for about 10 seconds after gas detection, the air level is restored in a few seconds.

【0018】電導度の低下が維持されることは、ガスセ
ンサを使用する上で大きな問題となり、ガスセンサにお
けるガス検知部(金属酸化物半導体)だけでなく、ヒー
タ等にも悪影響を与え、経時劣化の要因にもなる可能性
がある。即ち、表面に高濃度のC25OHが存在する
と、ガス検知部、ヒータに対して大きなヒートショック
を与えることになる。また、前記高濃度ガスに長時間さ
らされると、金属酸化物半導体の構造変化(不純物混入
による組成変化、結晶構造変化)を引き起こす可能性も
ある。そこで、高濃度ガスを検知した場合に、該高濃度
ガスを短時間に迅速に脱離させるためにも高温加熱が重
要である。この高温加熱をするヒータ回路としては請求
項1〜4のいずれのものでも良い。特に、請求項2のヒ
ータ回路では、ガス検知を行なう時以外は、常に高温加
熱されているので、表面の活性度が高く、再現性に優れ
た定量的な出力が得られる。また、請求項3のヒータ回
路では、間欠駆動により、低消費電力且つある程度定量
的な出力が得られる。
Maintaining the decrease in electrical conductivity is a serious problem in using the gas sensor, and it adversely affects not only the gas detection portion (metal oxide semiconductor) in the gas sensor but also the heater and the like, which causes deterioration over time. It can also be a factor. That is, if a high concentration of C 2 H 5 OH is present on the surface, a large heat shock will be given to the gas detection unit and the heater. In addition, if the metal oxide semiconductor is exposed to the high-concentration gas for a long time, it may cause a structural change of the metal oxide semiconductor (composition change due to mixing of impurities, crystal structure change). Therefore, when a high-concentration gas is detected, high-temperature heating is important in order to quickly desorb the high-concentration gas in a short time. The heater circuit for heating at high temperature may be any one of claims 1 to 4. Particularly, in the heater circuit according to the second aspect, since the heater circuit is always heated to a high temperature except when gas detection is performed, the surface activity is high and a quantitative output excellent in reproducibility is obtained. Further, in the heater circuit according to the third aspect, low power consumption and a certain amount of quantitative output can be obtained by the intermittent driving.

【0019】図4に、C25OHのガス濃度に対するガ
ス感度特性を2に示す。図4において、横軸はガス濃度
で縦軸はガス感度(Ra/Rg)とする。ここで、ヒー
タ駆動温度は、図2に示したパターンで行い、T1=3
50℃、T2=600℃、とした。このようなヒータ回
路を用いれば、図3に示したように、ガス検知部の表面
状態が定常状態になり、ガス検知時の電導度の再現性が
高くなる。即ち、図4のガス濃度特性の信頼性が高ま
り、ガス濃度とガス感度の関係式を立てることにより、
雰囲気中のガスのガス感度を測定すれば該ガスの濃度を
精度良く定量することが可能になる。例えば、図4のC
25OHのガス感度特性から、雰囲気中のガスについて
のガス感度が1.24の時のガス濃度は540p.p.m.
である。また、iso−C410,NH3の特性について
も前記と同様にガス濃度の定量が行なえる。
FIG. 4 shows the gas sensitivity characteristic 2 with respect to the gas concentration of C 2 H 5 OH. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents gas concentration and the vertical axis represents gas sensitivity (Ra / Rg). Here, the heater driving temperature is set according to the pattern shown in FIG. 2, and T 1 = 3
It was set to 50 ° C. and T 2 = 600 ° C. If such a heater circuit is used, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface state of the gas detection part becomes a steady state, and the reproducibility of the electric conductivity at the time of gas detection is improved. That is, the reliability of the gas concentration characteristic in FIG. 4 is increased, and by establishing the relational expression between the gas concentration and the gas sensitivity,
By measuring the gas sensitivity of the gas in the atmosphere, the concentration of the gas can be accurately quantified. For example, C in FIG.
From the gas sensitivity characteristics of 2 H 5 OH, the gas concentration when the gas sensitivity in the atmosphere is 1.24 is 540 pm.
Is. Further, regarding the characteristics of iso-C 4 H 10 and NH 3 , the gas concentration can be quantified in the same manner as described above.

【0020】また、1つのヒータで複数の加熱温度で加
熱を行なう場合、ヒータ自体に大きなヒートショックが
かかるためにヒータの寿命が短くなる。そこで、2つの
加熱用ヒータを設け、高温加熱(600℃)時には2つ
のヒータに同時に通電し、ガス検出時、一方のヒータの
通電を停止することによりガス検知時加熱(200℃)
を行なうことにより、ヒータへのショックを低減し、ヒ
ータの寿命を延ばすことが可能になる。このように、請
求項4に記載の発明を用いれば、安定出力で且つ再現性
に優れた定量的なガスセンサが実現でき、このようなセ
ンサ出力の安定化及び定量化に対して有効である。
When one heater is used to heat at a plurality of heating temperatures, the heater itself is subject to a large heat shock, and the life of the heater is shortened. Therefore, by providing two heaters for heating, the two heaters are simultaneously energized during high temperature heating (600 ° C.), and the energization of one heater is stopped during gas detection to heat during gas detection (200 ° C.).
By performing the above, it is possible to reduce the shock to the heater and extend the life of the heater. As described above, by using the invention described in claim 4, a quantitative gas sensor with stable output and excellent reproducibility can be realized, and it is effective for stabilization and quantification of such sensor output.

【0021】[0021]

【効果】以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明による
ヒータ駆動回路を用いれば、センサ出力が安定で且つ定
量的なガスセンサを提供することができる。
As is apparent from the above description, by using the heater drive circuit according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gas sensor whose sensor output is stable and quantitative.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】 本発明が適用される半導体ガス検出装置の一
例を説明するための図である。
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a semiconductor gas detection device to which the present invention is applied.

【図2】 ヒータ加熱温度のパターン例を示す図であ
る。
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a heater heating temperature pattern.

【図3】 ガス検出後の抵抗率変化を示す図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in resistivity after gas detection.

【図4】 各種ガスに対するガス検出感度特性を示す図
である。
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing gas detection sensitivity characteristics for various gases.

【図5】 センサの応答特性を示す図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a response characteristic of a sensor.

【図6】 ガス検出後の抵抗率変化を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in resistivity after gas detection.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1…基板、1a…凹所、1b…台座部、3…ブリッジ、
5a,5b…リード、7…ガス検出層、8a,8b…ヒ
ータ用電極、9a,9b…検出用電極、10…ガス検出
装置。
1 ... Board, 1a ... Recess, 1b ... Pedestal part, 3 ... Bridge,
5a, 5b ... Lead, 7 ... Gas detection layer, 8a, 8b ... Heater electrode, 9a, 9b ... Detection electrode, 10 ... Gas detection device.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 藤沢 悦子 東京都大田区中馬込1丁目3番6号 株式 会社リコー内 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Etsuko Fujisawa 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 空中に張り出して設けられた電気絶縁性
材料からなる張出部と、該張出し部上に設けられたガス
検出用の金属酸化物半導体と、該金属酸化物半導体に接
触する電極リードと、前記金属酸化物半導体を加熱する
ためのヒータとを有する半導体ガス検出装置において、
前記ヒータをガス検出温度に加熱する電圧(電流)を印
加する手段と、該温度より高い温度に加熱する電圧(電
流)を印加する手段と、これらの手段を外部信号により
切り替える切り替え手段とを有することを特徴とする半
導体ガス検出装置。
1. An overhanging portion made of an electrically insulating material, which is provided overhanging in the air, a metal oxide semiconductor for gas detection provided on the overhanging portion, and an electrode in contact with the metal oxide semiconductor. In a semiconductor gas detection device having a lead and a heater for heating the metal oxide semiconductor,
It has means for applying a voltage (current) for heating the heater to a gas detection temperature, means for applying a voltage (current) for heating the heater to a temperature higher than the temperature, and switching means for switching these means by an external signal. A semiconductor gas detection device characterized by the above.
【請求項2】 請求項1において、通常は、前記ヒータ
をガス検出温度より高い温度にしておき、ガス検出時
に、ガス検出温度に切り替えることを特徴とする半導体
ガス検出装置。
2. The semiconductor gas detection device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is normally set to a temperature higher than a gas detection temperature and is switched to the gas detection temperature when the gas is detected.
【請求項3】 請求項1において、前記ガス検出温度に
する手段とガス検出温度より高い温度にする手段とを自
動的に一定時間毎に切り替えることを特徴とする半導体
ガス検出装置。
3. The semiconductor gas detection device according to claim 1, wherein the means for raising the gas detection temperature and the means for raising the temperature higher than the gas detection temperature are automatically switched at fixed time intervals.
【請求項4】 請求項1又は2又は3において、前記金
属酸化物半導体に対して複数のヒータを有し、ガス検出
温度にするとき、前記複数のヒータのうちの一部を加熱
しないか低温にすることを特徴とする半導体ガス検出装
置。
4. The metal oxide semiconductor according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of heaters are provided for the metal oxide semiconductor, and when the gas detection temperature is set, some of the plurality of heaters are not heated or the temperature is low. A semiconductor gas detection device characterized by:
JP32118992A 1992-11-05 1992-11-05 Semiconductor gas detector Expired - Fee Related JP3262867B2 (en)

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JP32118992A JP3262867B2 (en) 1992-11-05 1992-11-05 Semiconductor gas detector

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JP32118992A JP3262867B2 (en) 1992-11-05 1992-11-05 Semiconductor gas detector

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JPH06148116A true JPH06148116A (en) 1994-05-27
JP3262867B2 JP3262867B2 (en) 2002-03-04

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4885649A (en) * 1987-04-01 1989-12-05 Digital Equipment Corporation Thin film head having a magneto-restrictive read element
JP2001281192A (en) * 2000-03-31 2001-10-10 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Gas sensor
JP2002062276A (en) * 2000-08-17 2002-02-28 New Cosmos Electric Corp Gas detector, and operation method therefor
JP2002303598A (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-10-18 Denso Corp Gas detection method using gas sensor
JP2004003915A (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-01-08 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Heat treatment method of gas sensor, and manufacturing method and inspection method of gas sensor using it
JP2004028964A (en) * 2002-06-28 2004-01-29 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Gas sensor control apparatus, gas sensor inspecting method using same, and gas sensor manufacturing method
JP2006504973A (en) * 2002-11-01 2006-02-09 ハネウェル・インターナショナル・インコーポレーテッド Gas sensor
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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4885649A (en) * 1987-04-01 1989-12-05 Digital Equipment Corporation Thin film head having a magneto-restrictive read element
JP2001281192A (en) * 2000-03-31 2001-10-10 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Gas sensor
JP4513161B2 (en) * 2000-03-31 2010-07-28 東亞合成株式会社 Gas sensor manufacturing method and gas sensor
JP4497676B2 (en) * 2000-08-17 2010-07-07 新コスモス電機株式会社 Gas detection device and operation method thereof
JP2002062276A (en) * 2000-08-17 2002-02-28 New Cosmos Electric Corp Gas detector, and operation method therefor
JP2002303598A (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-10-18 Denso Corp Gas detection method using gas sensor
JP4507438B2 (en) * 2001-04-05 2010-07-21 株式会社デンソー Gas detection method using a gas sensor
JP2004003915A (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-01-08 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Heat treatment method of gas sensor, and manufacturing method and inspection method of gas sensor using it
JP2004028964A (en) * 2002-06-28 2004-01-29 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd Gas sensor control apparatus, gas sensor inspecting method using same, and gas sensor manufacturing method
JP2006504973A (en) * 2002-11-01 2006-02-09 ハネウェル・インターナショナル・インコーポレーテッド Gas sensor
EP2995938A1 (en) * 2014-09-15 2016-03-16 Sensirion AG Integrated metal oxide chemical sensor
US9562871B2 (en) 2014-09-15 2017-02-07 Sensirion Ag Integrated chemical sensor chip
JP2019002878A (en) * 2017-06-19 2019-01-10 新コスモス電機株式会社 Semiconductor-type gas sensor and method for detecting gas

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