A biomimetic infrared sensor
By combining a Fresnel lens structure, a biomimetic thermal expansion bladder, and a flexible strain sensor, the problems of sensitivity and miniaturization of infrared sensors were solved, and a high-sensitivity and miniaturized infrared sensor design was achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUHAN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing infrared sensors are inadequate in terms of sensitivity and miniaturization. Thermal sensors have low sensitivity and cannot meet modern requirements, while photonic sensors are too bulky to be miniaturized.
The system employs a combination of Fresnel lens structure, biomimetic thermal expansion bladder, and biomimetic flexible strain sensor to achieve signal conversion through infrared light focusing, thermal expansion fluid absorption, and mechanical strain conversion into electrical signals.
It achieves high-sensitivity infrared signal detection, while also being miniaturized and micro-sized, with low cost and simple structure.
Smart Images
Figure CN115752747B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of sensor technology, and more particularly to a biomimetic infrared sensor. Background Technology
[0002] Infrared sensors are traditionally classified into two types based on their detection mechanism: thermal detectors (based on the thermal effect) and photonic detectors (based on the photoelectric effect). The advantages of thermal detectors include operation at room temperature, no wavelength dependence, low cost, and ease of miniaturization; their disadvantages include low sensitivity, slow response, and low overall sensitivity. The advantages of photonic detectors include high sensitivity, fast response, and high overall sensitivity; their disadvantages include the need for cooling (liquid nitrogen), wavelength dependence, higher cost, more complex equipment, and difficulty in miniaturization. Regarding the sensitivity threshold, a key parameter for infrared sensors, the sensitivity threshold of most thermal infrared sensors currently on the market is below 2 × 10⁻⁶. -4 W m -2 The current technology is far from meeting the demands of modern intelligent equipment for infrared sensors, while highly sensitive photonic infrared sensors are bulky and cannot be miniaturized or micronized. Therefore, how to achieve both high sensitivity and miniaturization of infrared sensors is a pressing scientific challenge in the field of infrared sensors.
[0003] Over billions of years of competition for survival and reproduction, organisms have applied the laws of nature to their fullest extent, evolving a wide variety of superior sensory functions. This has inspired the development of human sensing technology and provided a natural blueprint for high-performance biomimetic sensors. In the field of infrared sensing systems, organisms have evolved near-perfect infrared sensory organs. For example, research suggests that the sensitivity threshold of the infrared sensory organs of some fire-loving insects is estimated to be around 3 × 10⁻⁶. -9 W m -2 ~2×10 -7 W m -2 Its sensitivity far exceeds that of existing thermal infrared sensors, while also possessing advantages such as small size, miniaturization, and high efficiency.
[0004] Therefore, the biomimetic infrared sensor described in this invention has the advantages of being small, miniaturized, and highly sensitive. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In view of this, this application provides a biomimetic infrared sensor that can improve sensitivity.
[0006] This application provides a biomimetic infrared sensor, including a Fresnel lens structure, a biomimetic thermal expansion bladder, and a biomimetic flexible strain sensor;
[0007] The Fresnel lens is used to focus infrared light, the biomimetic thermal expansion is used to contain the thermal expansion liquid, the thermal expansion liquid is used to absorb the infrared light focused by the Fresnel lens structure and convert the infrared heat into liquid expansion, and the biomimetic flexible strain sensor is used to convert the strain caused by the thermal expansion of the liquid into an electrical signal for reading.
[0008] Optionally, a transparent rigid cover is also included to restrict the expansion direction of the thermal expansion bladder.
[0009] Optionally, it may also include a heat dissipation cavity for transferring and dissipating heat.
[0010] Optionally, the thermal expansion fluid is a liquid metal material, a polymer material containing CH and OH chemical groups, or a mixture thereof.
[0011] Optionally, the liquid metal material is a mercury or gallium alloy.
[0012] Optionally, the biomimetic flexible strain sensor uses conductive ink or conductive polymer material.
[0013] Optionally, the conductive polymer material is formed by combining at least one selected from graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, gold, silver and copper nanoparticles with at least one selected from polylactic acid, TPU, silicone and latex.
[0014] Optionally, the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder is made of a flexible material.
[0015] Optionally, the Fresnel lens structure comprises two or more Fresnel lens units, with different Fresnel lens units having the same focal length.
[0016] Optionally, the biomimetic flexible strain sensor has a micro-nano-level groove structure, a corrugated structure, a prism island structure, or a pyramid island structure. The spacing between the micro-nano-level grooves is no more than 2 μm, and the front-to-back spacing and left-to-right spacing of the island structure are no more than 2 μm and no more than 10 μm, respectively.
[0017] The biomimetic infrared sensor of this application uses the infrared light → heat → mechanical strain → electrical signal conversion method to convert infrared signals, which has the characteristics of high efficiency, simplicity, low cost and intelligence. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The technical solution and other beneficial effects of this application will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a biomimetic infrared sensor is provided for an embodiment of this application.
[0020] Figure 2 This provides a schematic diagram of infrared light convergence for an embodiment of this application.
[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal expansion bladder is provided for an embodiment of this application.
[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the infrared sensing principle provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0023] The components in the diagram are labeled as follows:
[0024] 1-Fresnel lens structure;
[0025] 2- Transparent rigid cover;
[0026] 3-Bionic thermal expansion bladder;
[0027] 4-Thermal expansion fluid;
[0028] 5-Bionic flexible strain sensor;
[0029] 6-Heat dissipation cavity. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0031] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0032] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0033] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, various specific examples of processes and materials are provided in this application, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.
[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 This application relates to a biomimetic infrared sensor, including a heavy Fresnel lens structure 1, a transparent rigid cover 2, a biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3, a thermal expansion fluid 4, a biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5, and a heat dissipation cavity 6, etc.
[0035] The biomimetic infrared sensor involved in this application can be used for infrared sensing, and specific implementations include... Figure 2 As shown, the Fresnel lens structure 1 effectively focuses infrared light, with the focal point located on the biomimetic thermal expansion capsule 3. The biomimetic thermal expansion capsule 3 contains a thermal expansion liquid 4, which efficiently absorbs infrared radiation and rapidly converts the infrared heat into liquid expansion. The thermal expansion liquid 4 can be mercury, gallium alloy, or other liquid metal materials with high thermal expansion coefficients, or it can be a formulated polymer material with specific chemical groups (such as CH and OH), or a mixture of these liquid materials. The thermal expansion liquid 4 absorbs infrared radiation within the biomimetic thermal expansion capsule 3. The infrared energy expands rapidly, converting the infrared signal into a thermal signal, and then into a mechanical signal. The upper part of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3 is fixed by a rigid transparent cover 2, while the lower part experiences significant stress and strain. A biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 is attached to the lower part of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3, converting the thermal expansion strain of the liquid into the strain of the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5. Furthermore, the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 converts the strain signal into electrical signals such as resistance or capacitance, which can be read or displayed, thus realizing the signal conversion of infrared light and achieving infrared sensing. When the infrared signal disappears, the heat in the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3 can be quickly transferred and dissipated in the heat dissipation cavity 6, allowing the thermal expansion bladder 3 to return to its original size.
[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, in the biomimetic infrared sensor described in this application, a transparent rigid cover 2 is located on the upper half of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3, but it can also be located in other parts. The shape and structure of the transparent rigid cover 2 can be changed and designed according to specific circumstances, and it is mainly used to fix the expansion position and area of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3. In the expandable area of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3 that is not fixed, a biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 is attached. The shape and size of the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 can be adjusted according to the area of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3 that is not fixed.
[0037] Specifically, the biomimetic infrared sensor described in this application uses a biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 made of conductive ink or conductive polymer composite materials (conductive polymer materials formed by combining graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, gold, silver, and copper nanoparticles with polylactic acid, TPU, silicone, latex, and other polymer materials). The biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 has micro-nano-level groove structures, corrugated structures, prism island structures, pyramid island structures, and other shapes and structures, with these structures reaching the adhesive layer. The spacing between the micro-nano-level grooves is 0-2 μm, and the front-to-back and left-to-right spacing of the island structures is 0-2 μm and 0-10 μm, respectively. The micro-nano-level groove structure of the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 can be obtained by laser etching, mechanical engraving, template transfer, or by applying external force to break the layer.
[0038] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the biomimetic infrared sensor described in this application, wherein the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5, under the action of the expansion of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder 3, transmits mechanical strain to the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5, the spacing between the micro-nano structures on the biomimetic flexible strain sensor 5 changes, thereby changing the resistance, converting the strain signal into a resistance signal, that is, converting the infrared signal into an electrical signal, thus completing the infrared signal sensing.
[0039] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A biomimetic infrared sensor, characterized in that, This includes Fresnel lens structures, biomimetic thermal expansion bladders, and biomimetic flexible strain sensors; The Fresnel lens structure is used to focus infrared light, and the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder is made of flexible material to contain thermal expansion liquid. The thermal expansion liquid absorbs the infrared light focused by the Fresnel lens structure and can convert the infrared heat into liquid expansion. It also includes a transparent rigid cover to restrict the expansion direction of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder; the upper half of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder is fixed by the transparent rigid cover, and the lower half of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder is an expandable area that is not fixed by the transparent rigid cover. The biomimetic flexible strain sensor is attached to the lower half of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder; the expansion of the liquid converts the strain of the lower half of the biomimetic thermal expansion bladder into the strain of the biomimetic flexible strain sensor, and the biomimetic flexible strain sensor converts the strain signal into an electrical signal.
2. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a heat dissipation cavity to transfer and dissipate heat.
3. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal expansion fluid is a liquid metal material, a polymer material containing CH and OH chemical groups, or a mixture thereof.
4. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The liquid metal material is a mercury-gallium alloy.
5. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The biomimetic flexible strain sensor uses conductive ink or conductive polymer materials.
6. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The conductive polymer material is formed by combining at least one of graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, gold, silver and copper nanoparticles with at least one of polylactic acid, TPU, silicone and latex.
7. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Fresnel lens structure is composed of two or more Fresnel lens units, and the focal lengths of different Fresnel lens units are the same.
8. The biomimetic infrared sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The biomimetic flexible strain sensor has a micro-nano-level groove structure, a corrugated structure, a prism island structure, or a pyramid island structure. The spacing between the micro-nano-level groove structures is no more than 2 μm, and the front-to-back spacing and left-to-right spacing of the island structures are no more than 2 μm and 10 μm, respectively.