A temperature indicator

Abstract

The application discloses a temperature indicator, which comprises a colored layer, a transparent-matt layer and a phase change material coating in sequence, the transparent-matt layer has two opposite surfaces, one surface opposite to the colored layer is a transparent surface, and the other surface opposite to the phase change material coating is a matt surface. The temperature indicator changes the state of the phase change material, so that the matt surface changes from a fog state to a transparent state, the color of the colored layer is hidden or shown, the change of temperature is indicated, and the temperature indicator has the advantages of simple structure, thinness and smallness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of temperature monitoring and application technology, in particular to a temperature indicator. Background Art

[0002] Temperature-sensitive materials can be used to monitor temperature changes and have important uses in the industrial field. For example, in the field of electric power and electrical engineering, temperature-sensitive materials can be used to monitor whether power equipment has overheated and prevent major accidents. In the field of transportation, temperature-sensitive materials can be used on wheels, tracks, and axle boxes to regularly monitor whether they are overheating, ensuring the normal operation of the vehicle and driving safety. The temperature indicator in the present invention can be combined with tape to form a color-changing tape, which can be attached to the monitored items or equipment for convenient and rapid temperature monitoring. In the prior art, patents such as CN202010818110.4, CN202021632470.7, and CN201610201479.4 provide examples with the same function, but there are problems such as more preparation processes and more complex product structures. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to address the technical problems existing in the prior art and to provide a temperature indicator with simple structure, small size and low cost.

[0004] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A temperature indicator comprises a colored layer, a transparent-frosted layer and a phase change material coating in sequence. The transparent-frosted layer has two opposite surfaces: a transparent surface opposite to the colored layer and a frosted surface opposite to the phase change material coating.

[0006] Preferably, the colored layer is colored paper, film, or is formed by coating a color paste on a substrate.

[0007] Preferably, the transparent-frosted layer is a single-sided frosted glass or a film with one side being smooth and flat and the other side being frosted.

[0008] Preferably, the phase change material coating is located on the entire area or a portion of the transparent-frosted layer.

[0009] Preferably, the phase change material in the phase change material coating is one or more of dodecyl alcohol, tetradecyl alcohol, hexadecanol, octadecyl alcohol, docosanol, benzophenone, 4-benzyloxyphenylethyldecanoate, bisphenol A, bisphenol C, bisphenol S, bisphenol F, bisphenol AF, methyl cinnamate, 2,4-diphenylsulfonylphenol, 4-hydroxy-4'-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, heptadecane, octadecane, eicosane, docosane, tetracosane, triacontan, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, pentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, tetramethylenetetraol, mannitol, solid paraffin, erythritol, hydroquinone, methyl stearate, and methyl palmitate.

[0010] Preferably, a protective layer is provided on a side of the phase change material coating away from the transparent-frosted layer.

[0011] Preferably, the protective layer is a fully transparent film or a partially transparent film.

[0012] Preferably, a substrate is further provided on the side of the colored layer away from the transparent-frosted layer.

[0013] Preferably, the substrate is a transparent or non-transparent film material.

[0014] Preferably, the substrate is selected from one or more of PET, PP, PE, PVC, PI, aluminum, copper, and aluminum-plastic film.

[0015] The temperature indicator of the present invention comprises a colored layer, a transparent-frosted layer and a phase change material coating in sequence. The side of the transparent-frosted layer in contact with the phase change material coating is a frosted surface. By changing the state of the phase change material, the frosted surface is transformed from a foggy state to a transparent state, thereby hiding or revealing the color of the colored layer and indicating the temperature change. The temperature indicator has the advantages of a simple structure and a thinner and smaller indicator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a temperature indicator in embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a temperature indicator in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a temperature indicator in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a temperature indicator in Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5Schematic diagram of the structure of the protective layer of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a temperature indicator containing a substrate according to the present invention;

[0023] Among them, 1. colored layer, 2. transparent-frosted layer, 3. phase change material coating, 4. protective layer, 41. opaque area, 42. transparent area, 5. substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of illustration and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. The illustrative exemplary embodiments listed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but is solely subject to the scope of the appended claims.

[0025] A temperature indicator of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] As described in the prior art, although there are many technical solutions for time-temperature and threshold temperature indicators, it is still desirable to propose a temperature indicator that is simple to manufacture, small in size, and low in cost.

[0027] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a temperature indicator, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a colored layer 1, a transparent-frosted layer 2 and a phase change material coating 3 in sequence. The transparent-frosted layer 2 has two opposite surfaces: the surface opposite to the colored layer 1 is a transparent surface, and the surface opposite to the phase change material coating 3 is a frosted surface.

[0028] The phase change temperature of the phase change material coating 3 of the present invention is the indicated temperature of the temperature indicator. Near the phase change temperature, the phase change material in the phase change material coating undergoes a solid-to-liquid phase transition, affecting the frosted surface of the transparent-frosted layer. Specifically, below the phase change temperature, the phase change material is solid, and the frosted surface of the transparent-frosted layer is in a scattering state, appearing opaque and obscuring the color of the colored layer. Above the phase change temperature, the phase change material melts into a liquid state, wetting the frosted surface and becoming transmissive, appearing transparent and allowing the color of the colored layer to be seen. This color change indicates temperature changes.

[0029] In the present invention, the colored layer 1 provides the temperature indicator with a color change after reaching a specified temperature. The colored layer can be colored paper, film, or formed by coating a color paste on a substrate.

[0030] In the present invention, the transparent-frosted layer 2 has two opposing surfaces: a transparent surface opposite the colored layer, and a frosted surface opposite the phase change material coating. The frosted surface can transition from a foggy state to a transparent state under the influence of the phase change material coating, thereby concealing or revealing the color of the colored layer. The transparent-frosted layer is made of a material having a flat, smooth surface on one side and an uneven, frosted surface on the other, such as single-sided frosted glass or a film with one smooth surface and one frosted surface.

[0031] In the present invention, the phase change material coating 3 is composed of a phase change material, and the phase change temperature of the phase change material is determined by the monitored object or the environment. When the temperature is higher than the melting point of the phase change material, the phase change material melts into a liquid, and the area coated with the phase change material becomes transparent, showing the color of the colored layer, thereby indicating the temperature. The above-mentioned phase change material can be one or more of dodecyl alcohol, tetradecyl alcohol, hexadecanol, octadecanol, docosanol, benzophenone, 4-benzyloxyphenylethyldecanoate, bisphenol A, bisphenol C, bisphenol S, bisphenol F, bisphenol AF, methyl cinnamate, 2,4-diphenylsulfonylphenol, 4-hydroxy-4'-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, heptadecane, octadecane, eicosane, docosane, tetracosane, triacontan, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, pentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, butanethrol, mannitol, solid paraffin, erythritol, hydroquinone, methyl stearate, and methyl palmitate.

[0032] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the phase change material coating 3 can cover the entire area of ​​the transparent-frosted layer 2 .

[0033] In another embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the phase change material coating 3 can cover a partial area of ​​the transparent-frosted layer 2. At this time, the transparent-frosted layer coated with the phase change material area will change from a foggy state to a transparent state, hiding or revealing the color of the colored layer 1, thereby indicating the temperature change.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 As shown, a protective layer 4 is further provided on the side of the phase change material coating 3 away from the transparent-frosted layer 2, and the protective layer 4 covers the surface of the phase change material coating 3. The protective layer is a fully transparent film or a partially transparent film.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the protective layer 4 is a partially transparent film having an opaque region 41 and a transparent region 42. The transparent region 42 can be of various shapes, such as a circle, square, ellipse, triangle, or polygon, or can be a visual symbol such as text or a pattern, through which the color of the colored layer 1 can be observed.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, the transparent area 42 of the protective layer 4 is made into a "25°C" shape, the phase change material coating 3 is a 25°C phase change material, the transparent-frosted layer 2 is a single-sided frosted glass, and the colored layer 1 is a red paper. Then, in an environment above 25°C, the red words "25°C" appear on the surface of the indicator, telling the observer that the current temperature exceeds 25°C.

[0037] In the present invention, the colored layer 1 may be adhesive itself and directly attached or wrapped on the surface of an object; or, regardless of whether the colored layer 1 is adhesive or not, an adhesive layer, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, may be provided on the colored layer 1, and the temperature indicator may be attached or wrapped on the surface of an object through the adhesive layer; or Figure 6 As shown, a substrate 5 is disposed on the side of the colored layer 1 facing away from the transparent-frosted layer 2. The substrate serves as the indicator's support structure, allowing the temperature indicator to be attached or wrapped around a surface. The substrate 5 can be made of transparent or non-transparent film materials, such as PET, PP, PE, PVC, PI, aluminum, copper, or aluminum-plastic film.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the temperature indicator comprises, in order, a colored layer 1, a transparent-frosted layer 2, and a phase-change material coating 3. The transparent-frosted layer 2 has two opposing surfaces: a transparent surface facing the colored layer 1, and a frosted surface facing the phase-change material coating 3. The colored layer is a colored thin film, and the phase-change material coating covers the entire frosted surface of the transparent-frosted layer. Below the phase-change temperature, the phase-change material is in a solid state, and the frosted surface of the transparent-frosted layer is in a scattering state, appearing opaque and making it impossible to discern the color of the colored layer. Above the phase-change temperature, the phase-change material melts into a liquid state, wetting the frosted surface and becoming transmissive, appearing transparent and allowing the color of the colored layer to pass through. This color change indicates temperature changes.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the temperature indicator of this example differs from that of Example 1 in that a phase-change material coating 3 covers a portion of the transparent-frosted layer 2. When the phase-change material coating changes state, the transparent-frosted layer in the area coated with the phase-change material changes from a foggy state to a transparent state, concealing or revealing the color of the colored layer 1, thereby indicating the temperature change.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] like Figure 3As shown, the temperature indicator of this example differs from that of Example 1 in that a protective layer 4 is provided on the side of the phase-change material coating 3 facing away from the transparent-frosted layer 2. This protective layer 4, a fully transparent film, covers the surface of the phase-change material coating 3. This protective layer not only protects the phase-change material coating but also serves as a window to display the color changes of the colored layer.

[0044] Example 4

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, the temperature indicator of this example differs from that of Example 3 in that the protective layer 4 is a partially transparent film having an opaque region 41 and a transparent region 42. The transparent region 42 can be of various shapes, such as a circle, square, ellipse, triangle, polygon, or a visual symbol such as text or a pattern, and the color of the colored layer 1 can be observed through the transparent region 42.

[0046] Example 5

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the temperature indicator of this example differs from that of Example 3 in that the protective layer 4 is a partially transparent film having an opaque region 41 and a transparent region 42. The transparent region 42 is shaped like "25°C," the phase-change material coating 3 uses a 25°C phase-change material, the transparent-frosted layer 2 is single-sided frosted glass, and the colored layer 1 is red paper. Therefore, in an environment above 25°C, the red text "25°C" appears on the indicator surface, indicating to the observer that the current temperature exceeds 25°C.

[0048] The technical principles of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are intended solely to illustrate the principles of the present invention and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other specific embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort, and such embodiments will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A temperature indicator, characterized in that: The invention comprises a colored layer, a transparent-frosted layer and a phase change material coating in sequence. The transparent-frosted layer has two opposite surfaces: the surface opposite to the colored layer is a transparent surface, and the surface opposite to the phase change material coating is a frosted surface. The phase change material in the phase change material coating has a solid-liquid phase transition function, thereby realizing the transition of the frosted surface of the transparent-frosted layer from a foggy state to a transparent state, hiding or revealing the color of the colored layer. The transparent-frosted layer is a single-sided frosted glass or a film with one side smooth and flat and the other side frosted. The phase change material in the phase change material coating is dodecyl alcohol. , tetradecanol, hexadecanol, octadecyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, benzophenone, 4-benzyloxyphenyl ethyl decanoate, bisphenol A, bisphenol C, bisphenol S, bisphenol F, bisphenol AF, methyl cinnamate, 2,4-diphenylsulfonylphenol, 4-hydroxy-4'-isopropoxydiphenyl sulfone, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, heptadecane, octadecane, eicosane, docosane, tetracosane, triacontan, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, pentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, tetramethylenetetradecane, mannitol, solid paraffin, erythritol, hydroquinone, methyl stearate, methyl palmitate one or more.

2. A temperature indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The colored layer is colored paper, film, or is formed by coating a color paste on a substrate.

3. A temperature indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change material coating is located on the entire area or a portion of the transparent-frosted layer.

4. A temperature indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A protective layer is provided on a side of the phase change material coating away from the transparent-frosted layer.

5. A temperature indicator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The protective layer is a fully transparent film or a partially transparent film.

6. A temperature indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A substrate is further provided on the side of the colored layer away from the transparent-frosted layer.

7. A temperature indicator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The substrate is a transparent or non-transparent film material.

8. A temperature indicator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The substrate is selected from one or more of PET, PP, PE, PVC, PI, aluminum, copper, and aluminum-plastic film.

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