As consumer concern regarding atmospheric pollution continues to rise, air purifiers have increasingly become a market focus, with many households now equipped with these devices. The development and application of various sensor technologies have comprehensively enhanced the performance and functionality of air purifiers, further achieving comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. Most air purifiers currently on the market are generally equipped with three types of sensors: temperature and humidity sensors, PM2.5 dust sensors, and odor sensors. In this article, we will explore common sensor application solutions for air purifiers.

Humidity sensors have been traditional components for over a decade. Currently, these products are becoming increasingly miniaturized and, through precise calculations, have been given new vitality in their applications. For an air purifier, a temperature and humidity sensor is essential. Its role is to detect indoor humidity (dryness levels); the purifier then controls the humidification volume based on this data to ensure the indoor environment remains within a specific humidity range for maximum comfort.

PM2.5 sensors (also known as dust sensors) and odor sensors are products of the new era. Their purpose is to detect indoor PM2.5 and VOC pollution. The purifier utilizes this data to control air purification functions, ensuring lasting fresh air in the indoor environment.

An odor sensor is a device that can detect and identify specific smells in the air. It usually consists of one or more Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) sensors, which have varying reactivity to different gases. When the sensor detects odor molecules, its electrical resistance changes; this change can be converted into an electrical signal and interpreted by a processor as a specific smell. In advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms can be trained to recognize different odors. Odor sensors are used not only in air purifiers but also in public places, industrial environments, and homes to monitor and alert for potential harmful gas leaks.

Therefore, for a qualified air purifier product, temperature and humidity sensors, dust sensors, and odor sensors are essential components.