Temperature Sensors and Temperature Sensing Systems

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature sensor and a temperature sensing system. The temperature sensor includes: a touch layer, the touch layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first surface of the touch layer is used to sense the temperature of the external environment or an external object; a sensing layer, the sensing layer includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other, the third surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the second surface of the touch layer, and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature, and the fourth surface of the sensing layer is fixed on the prosthesis. The effect of reducing the manufacturing cost of the sensor and making the sensor lightweight is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to a temperature sensor and a temperature sensing system. Background Art

[0002] Temperature detection is a common application of sensors and is widely used in industrial and commercial products. However, there is a lack of relevant technical research on temperature detection of prosthetic hands. This is mainly because there is relatively little space available for integration of prosthetic hands and there are strict requirements on the size of the added sensors. Adding a temperature sensor to the prosthetic hand can effectively protect the prosthetic hand and generate an alarm message when the prosthetic hand contacts an overheated object. In addition, a major problem with the high abandonment rate of prosthetic hands is that users cannot generate touch feedback when using the prosthetic hand, that is, they have no real sense of contact with the object, and temperature is the basic physical information of the object.

[0003] At present, temperature sensors are divided into the following categories: thermistor sensors, infrared temperature sensors, thermocouple sensors, etc. Taking infrared temperature sensors as an example, infrared temperature sensors use infrared detectors to analyze the thermal radiation of objects. Objects with different temperatures emit different frequencies of thermal radiation.

[0004] However, the infrared temperature sensor is expensive to manufacture and has a complex structure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide a temperature sensor and a temperature sensing system to reduce the manufacturing cost of the sensor and make the sensor lightweight.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature sensor, including:

[0007] A touch layer, the touch layer comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first surface of the touch layer being used to sense the temperature of an external environment or an external object;

[0008] The sensing layer comprises a third surface and a fourth surface which are opposite to each other. The third surface of the sensing layer contacts the second surface of the touch layer and is used for receiving the temperature transmitted by the touch layer and generating an electrical signal according to the temperature. The fourth surface of the sensing layer is fixed on the prosthesis.

[0009] Optionally, the sensing layer has a thickness of 30-50 microns.

[0010] Optionally, the sensing layer is made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) material.

[0011] Optionally, the sensing layer is a closed film comprising a plurality of holes.

[0012] Optionally, the touch layer is a thermally conductive material.

[0013] Optionally, the thermally conductive material is metal.

[0014] Optionally, the metal includes one or more of gold, copper or aluminum.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature sensing system, including:

[0016] The temperature sensor provided by any embodiment of the present invention further includes:

[0017] A processing module, wherein the first end of the processing module is electrically connected to the third surface of the sensing layer, the second end of the processing module is electrically connected to the fourth surface of the sensing layer, the first end and the second end of the processing module are used to receive the electrical signal generated by the sensing layer, and determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment based on the electrical signal.

[0018] Optionally, the processing module is used to determine a change slope of the electrical signal, so as to determine a relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment or external object according to the change slope of the electrical signal.

[0019] Optionally, also include:

[0020] A feedback module is electrically connected to the processing module and is used to prompt a human body wearing the prosthesis according to the relative temperature difference.

[0021] The temperature sensor of the embodiment of the present invention includes a touch layer, the touch layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first surface of the touch layer is used to sense the temperature of the external environment or an external object; a sensing layer, the sensing layer includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other, the third surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the second surface of the touch layer, and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature, and the fourth surface of the sensing layer is fixed on the prosthesis, which solves the problems of high cost and complex structure of the current sensor production, and achieves the effect of reducing the production cost of the sensor and making the sensor lightweight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a temperature sensor provided by Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature sensor provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a sensing layer provided by Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is composed of multiple sensing sub-layers stacked in the thickness direction;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a sensing layer provided by Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is composed of multiple sensing sub-layers spliced ​​in the horizontal direction;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of touching an external object with a prosthetic hand provided by Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a temperature sensing system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of another temperature sensing system provided in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only parts related to the present invention, rather than all structures, are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0030] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. can be used in this article to describe various directions, actions, steps or elements, but these directions, actions, steps or elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish a first direction, action, step or element from another direction, action, step or element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present application, the first side can be the second side, and similarly, the second side can be referred to as the first side. Both the first side and the second side are sides, but they are not the same side. The terms "first", "second", etc. cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" can expressly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an application scenario of a temperature sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the temperature sensor A of the embodiment of the present invention is installed on the prosthesis 100, so that when the prosthesis 100 is used to contact the external environment or hold an external object, the temperature sensor A installed on the prosthesis 100 can be sensed. Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature sensor provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature sensor, including a touch layer 110 and a sensing layer 120. The temperature sensor of this embodiment is used to be fixed on a prosthesis to detect the temperature of an external environment or an external object, wherein:

[0033] The touch layer 110 includes a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 opposite to each other, and the first surface 111 of the touch layer 110 is used to sense the temperature of the external environment or an external object;

[0034] The sensing layer 120 includes a third surface 121 and a fourth surface 122 which are opposite to each other. The third surface 121 of the sensing layer 120 contacts the second surface 112 of the touch layer 110 and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer 110 and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature. The fourth surface 122 of the sensing layer 120 is fixed on the prosthesis 130.

[0035] Specifically, the sensing layer 120 can be a material film with pyroelectric effect. The pyroelectric effect refers to the charge release phenomenon that the polarization intensity changes with the temperature. Macroscopically, the change in temperature causes voltage to appear at both ends of the material or generates current. In one embodiment, preferably, the sensing layer 120 is polyvinylidene fluoride PVDF material. PVDF material has the characteristics of small size and is easy to integrate into the sensor, reducing the size of the temperature sensor. PVDF material is a soluble fluorocarbon resin for coating made by homopolymerizing vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with a purity of ≥99.99%. The fluorocarbon coating made of 70% PVDF resin is sprayed or roller coated and then baked to form a paint film with unparalleled super weather resistance and processing performance. In one embodiment, the thickness of the sensing layer 120 is 30-50 microns. In one embodiment, the sensing layer 120 is a closed film including multiple holes. Optionally, refer to Figure 3 , the sensing layer 120 can be obtained by stacking a plurality of sensing sub-layers 1201 in the thickness direction. Figure 4 The sensing layer 120 may also be obtained by splicing a plurality of sensing sub-layers 1201 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, thereby increasing the area of ​​the sensing layer 120 .

[0036] Specifically, the touch layer 110 is a thermally conductive material, and the touch layer 110 can be a film of a thermally conductive material. The touch layer 110 can be a film with a fixed shape. Optionally, the thickness of the contact layer is 30-50 microns. In one embodiment, preferably, the thermally conductive material is a metal. Due to the strong thermal conductivity of the metal, when it touches a high-temperature object, the rapid conduction of temperature can also allow the PVDF material to detect a high-temperature signal. In addition, the presence of the metal film can also protect the PVDF material to a certain extent. Optionally, the metal includes one or more of gold, copper or aluminum, which is not specifically limited here. In addition to the pyroelectric effect, the PVDF material also has a piezoelectric effect. When the prosthesis touches the object, it will also squeeze the sensing layer 120 to a certain extent, so some current will also be generated due to the piezoelectric effect. However, the current generated by the piezoelectric effect will affect the accuracy of temperature judgment. When the touch layer 110 is a metal, it has good thermal conductivity and can accurately and quickly transmit the temperature of the external environment or external object, while also reducing the influence of the current generated by the piezoelectric effect on the temperature judgment.

[0037] Specifically, the prosthesis can be a prosthetic hand, a prosthetic leg, or a prosthetic limb in other parts of the body, and there is no limitation here. Figure 5 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention using a prosthetic hand to touch an external object. Figure 5 It can be seen that the temperature sensor A of this embodiment is installed at a position in the prosthetic hand 101 that contacts the water cup 200, such as on a finger of the prosthetic hand 101. Figure 1 , when the prosthetic hand takes the water cup 200, the first surface 111 of the touch layer 110 of the temperature sensor A can contact the water cup, thereby sensing the temperature of the water cup. At this time, since the third surface 121 of the sensing layer 120 contacts the second surface 112 of the touch layer 110, the sensing layer 120 can receive the temperature of the water cup 200 and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature of the water cup, thereby determining whether feedback is needed to the human body wearing the prosthesis.

[0038] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is that the temperature sensor includes a touch layer, the touch layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first surface of the touch layer is used to sense the temperature of the external environment or external objects; the sensing layer includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other, the third surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the second surface of the touch layer, and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature, and the fourth surface of the sensing layer is fixed on the prosthesis. Since there are only a touch layer and a contact layer, the temperature sensor of this embodiment has a simple and effective structure, achieving the technical effect of reducing the manufacturing cost of the sensor and making the sensor lightweight.

[0039] Embodiment 2

[0040] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature sensing system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature sensing system, including a temperature sensor 20 and a processing module 30. The temperature sensing system of this embodiment is used to be fixed on a prosthesis to detect the temperature of an external environment or an external object.

[0041] The temperature sensor 20 includes a touch layer 210 and a sensing layer 220, wherein the touch layer 210 includes a first surface 211 and a second surface 212 opposite to each other, and the first surface 211 of the touch layer 210 is used to sense the temperature of an external environment or an external object;

[0042] The sensing layer 220 includes a third surface 221 and a fourth surface 222 which are opposite to each other. The third surface 221 of the sensing layer 220 contacts the second surface 212 of the touch layer 210 and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer 210 and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature. The fourth surface 222 of the sensing layer 220 is fixed on the prosthesis.

[0043] The first end of the processing module 30 is electrically connected to the third surface 221 of the sensing layer 220, and the second end of the processing module 30 is electrically connected to the fourth surface 222 of the sensing layer 220. The first end and the second end of the processing module 30 are used to receive the electrical signal generated by the sensing layer 220 and determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment based on the electrical signal.

[0044] Specifically, due to the pyroelectric effect, when the temperature of the external environment or external object is transmitted to the sensing layer 220 through the touch layer 210, a voltage or current will be formed on the third surface 221 and the fourth surface 222 of the sensing layer 220. The first end of the processing module 30 is connected to the third surface 221 of the sensing layer 220, and the second end of the processing module 30 is connected to the fourth surface 222 of the sensing layer 220. The voltage or current generated can determine the temperature difference between the object touched by the prosthesis and the external environment. Specifically, the temperature sensor 20 is exposed to the air, and the temperature of the temperature sensor 20 is similar to the ambient temperature. When the prosthesis touches a high-temperature object, an electrical signal is generated, and the size of the relative temperature difference can be determined according to the size of the electrical signal. Optionally, a positive metal sheet can be fixed on the third surface 221 of the sensing layer 220, and a negative metal sheet can be fixed on the fourth surface 222 of the sensing layer 220. The sensing layer 220 can be electrically connected to the processing module 30 through the positive metal sheet and the negative metal sheet.

[0045] In one embodiment, the processing module 30 is used to determine the change slope of the electrical signal, so as to determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment or external object according to the change slope of the electrical signal.

[0046] Specifically, the peak value and the slope of change are determined by the signal generated by the temperature sensor 20 due to the pyroelectric property. The approximate temperature of the external object in contact can be obtained. The basic principle is that if the temperature of the contact object is higher than the temperature of the prosthetic hand, the peak value of the signal generated by the pyroelectric effect is larger, and the slope of change of the rising signal is larger. If the temperature of the contact object is lower than the temperature of the prosthetic hand, a negative signal is generated, and the same applies to the rest.

[0047] Optionally, the sensing layer 220 is made of PVDF material. Optionally, the processing module 30 may include a preprocessing unit and an analysis unit. The preprocessing unit is used to preprocess the electrical signal, and the analysis unit is used to analyze the preprocessed electrical signal to determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment. Specifically, due to the high sensitivity of the temperature sensor 20 made of PVDF material, there will be some high-frequency noise and baseline drift during the real-time monitoring process. Therefore, it is necessary to filter and reduce the noise of the electrical signal obtained by the temperature sensor 20. The signals generated by temperature changes are all in a lower frequency band (<10Hz), so the high-frequency interference noise can be filtered out by a low-pass filter. In addition, the baseline drift during the monitoring process can be filtered out in real time by median filtering.

[0048] refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of another temperature sensing system provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The temperature sensing system also includes:

[0050] A feedback module 40 is electrically connected to the processing module 30 and is used to prompt a person wearing the prosthesis according to the relative temperature difference.

[0051] Specifically, after the processing module 30 determines the relative temperature difference according to the electrical signal, the analysis result is sent to the feedback module 40, and the feedback module 40 determines whether a prompt is needed according to the analysis result. In the present embodiment, when the relative temperature difference is greater than the temperature difference threshold, a prompt is given to the human body wearing the prosthesis. Optionally, a prompt can be given when the temperature is too high, or when the temperature is too low, which is not limited here. Specifically, the prompting method can be a voice prompt, a thermal stimulation prompt, or an electrical stimulation prompt, which is not limited here. Preferably, the prompt is given by electrical stimulation. The implementation structure of electrical stimulation is small and easy to integrate. By generating a weak current and concentrating on a certain point to stimulate the user, the stimulation is obvious and does not cause harm. Optionally, multiple modes can also be pre-set, corresponding to the relative temperature of the contact object. Such as extremely low temperature, low temperature, normal temperature, high temperature, extremely high temperature, and no response feedback mechanism is generated for these modes.

[0052] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is that the temperature sensing system includes a temperature sensor and a processing module. The temperature sensor includes a touch layer, the touch layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first surface of the touch layer is used to sense the temperature of the external environment or external objects; a sensing layer, the sensing layer includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other, the third surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the second surface of the touch layer, and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature, and the fourth surface of the sensing layer is fixed on the prosthesis; the first end of the processing module is electrically connected to the third surface of the sensing layer, the second end of the processing module is electrically connected to the fourth surface of the sensing layer, the first end and the second end of the processing module are used to receive the electrical signal generated by the sensing layer, and determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment according to the electrical signal. Since there are only the touch layer and the contact layer, the temperature sensor of this embodiment has a simple and effective structure, and achieves the technical effect of reducing the manufacturing cost of the sensor and making the sensor lightweight.

[0053] Note that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that various obvious changes, readjustments and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in more detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include more other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor, characterized in that: Applied to a prosthesis, the temperature sensor comprises: A touch layer, the touch layer comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first surface of the touch layer being used to sense the temperature of an external environment or an external object; The sensing layer includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other. The third surface of the sensing layer contacts the second surface of the touch layer and is used to receive the temperature transmitted by the touch layer and generate an electrical signal according to the temperature. The fourth surface of the sensing layer is fixed on the prosthesis. The sensing layer is a thin film of material with a pyroelectric effect.

2. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The thickness of the sensing layer is 30-50 microns.

3. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensing layer is made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) material.

4. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensing layer is a closed film including a plurality of holes.

5. The temperature sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The touch layer is a heat-conducting material.

6. The temperature sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that The heat conductive material is metal.

7. The temperature sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that The metal includes one or more of gold, copper or aluminum.

8. A temperature sensing system, characterized in that: The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprises: A processing module, wherein the first end of the processing module is electrically connected to the third surface of the sensing layer, the second end of the processing module is electrically connected to the fourth surface of the sensing layer, the first end and the second end of the processing module are used to receive the electrical signal generated by the sensing layer, and determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment based on the electrical signal.

9. The temperature sensing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The processing module is used to determine the change slope of the electrical signal, so as to determine the relative temperature difference between the prosthesis and the external environment or external object according to the change slope of the electrical signal.

10. The temperature sensing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also includes: A feedback module is electrically connected to the processing module and is used to prompt a human body wearing the prosthesis according to the relative temperature difference.

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