Replaceable alcohol sensor module
A replaceable alcohol sensor module for use with a breathalyzer. The alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of the breathalyzer and replaced with a new alcohol sensor module. The alcohol sensor module has at least an alcohol sensor and a circuitry mounted on a PCB that removable connects the replaceable alcohol sensor module to the breathalyzer. The circuitry transmits the signal and/or electrical current generated by the alcohol sensor to a processing unit of the breathalyzer for processing.
1. A replaceable alcohol sensor module, comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
an alcohol sensor mounted on the PCB and configured to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) based on analysis of a breath air sample; and
wherein the PCB is configured to transmit measured BAC from the alcohol sensor to a signal processing unit of a breathalyzer; and
wherein the replaceable alcohol sensor module calibrated beforehand is installable in the breathalyzer to replace an existing replaceable alcohol sensor module in the breathalyzer after being used for a predetermined number of times.
2. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the PCB is configured to transmit calibrated data of the alcohol sensor from a non-volatile memory to the signal processing unit of the breathalyzer.
3. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the replaceable alcohol sensor module removably connects to the breathalyzer.
4. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 3 , further comprising an adapter to removably connect the replaceable alcohol sensor module to the breathalyzer.
5. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the breathalyzer is one of the following: a portable breathalyzer, a coin-operated breathalyzer, a key-chain breathalyzer or a car ignition breathalyzer.
6. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the breathalyzer comprises a compartment to house the replaceable alcohol sensor module and a cover to enclose the replaceable alcohol sensor module within the breathalyzer.
7. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising a heating unit to warm up the alcohol sensor to a predetermined temperature.
8. The replaceable alcohol sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol sensor detects changes in conductivity according to varying levels of alcohol concentration in the breath air sample.
9. A breathalyzer, comprising:
a signal processing unit;
a replaceable alcohol sensor module comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
an alcohol sensor mounted on the PCB and configured to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) based on analysis of a breath air sample; and
wherein the PCB is configured to transmit measured BAC from the alcohol sensor to the signal processing unit of the breathalyzer;
an interface to connect the replaceable alcohol sensor module to the signal processing unit;
a display to display the measurement of the breath air sample from the signal processing unit of the breathalyzer to a user; and
wherein the replaceable alcohol sensor module is replaceable with another replaceable alcohol sensor module calibrated beforehand after being used for a predetermined number of times.
10. The breathalyzer of claim 9 , wherein the PCB is configured to transmit calibrated data of the alcohol sensor from a non-volatile memory to the signal processing unit of the breathalyzer.
11. The breathalyzer of claim 9 , wherein the breathalyzer is one of the following: a portable breathalyzer, a coin-operated breathalyzer, a key-chain breathalyzer or a car ignition breathalyzer.
12. The breathalyzer of claim 9 , wherein the replaceable alcohol sensor module comprises a heating unit to warm up the alcohol sensor to a predetermined temperature.
13. The breathalyzer of claim 9 , wherein the breath alcohol sensor of the replaceable alcohol sensor module detects changes in conductivity according to varying levels of alcohol concentration in the breath air sample.
14. A method of maintaining a breathalyzer having a replaceable alcohol sensor module in a calibrated state, comprising the steps of:
determining if the replaceable alcohol sensor module requires calibration, the replaceable alcohol sensor module comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
an alcohol sensor mounted on the PCB and configured to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) based on analysis of a breath air sample; and
wherein the PCB is configured to transmit measured BAC from the alcohol sensor to a signal processing unit of the breathalyzer; and
replacing the replaceable alcohol sensor module with another replaceable breath alcohol sensor module calibrated beforehand after being used for a predetermined number of times.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of transmitting calibrated data of the alcohol sensor from a non-volatile memory to the signal processing unit of the breathalyzer by the PCB.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of replacing comprises the steps of disconnecting the replaceable alcohol sensor module from the breathalyzer; and connecting said other replaceable alcohol sensor module to the breathalyzer.