A wireless threshold temperature sensor of a paper-folding structure

Abstract

The application discloses a wireless threshold temperature sensor of a paper-folding structure, which comprises a substrate, a V-shaped beam, a paper-folding structure, a movable metal tip structure and a fixed metal tip structure. The movable metal tip structure is grounded, and the fixed metal tip structure is connected with a high-voltage source. The paper-folding structure is composed of two materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, the thermal expansion coefficient of the first paper-folding unit material is smaller than that of the second paper-folding unit material, and the paper-folding structure has a bistable state. The wireless threshold temperature sensor has the advantages of simple structure, sensitive response, long transmission distance, ultra-low power consumption, reusability and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of sensor technology, and in particular relates to a wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure. Background Technology

[0002] Threshold temperature monitoring, as a key parameter detection technology, plays an irreplaceable role in industrial process control, transportation safety early warning, ecological environmental protection, and aerospace equipment health monitoring. Existing threshold temperature sensors suffer from problems such as complex structure, slow response, reliance on wired connections, non-reusability, or short lifespan, limiting their performance in real-time monitoring, mobile scenarios, and sustainable applications. The intelligent upgrades in fields such as healthcare, industrial safety, and smart agriculture require threshold temperature sensors that can meet the demands of high-timeliness monitoring while promoting green and low-carbon sustainable development. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a wireless threshold temperature sensor that is simple in structure, highly sensitive, has a long transmission distance, ultra-low power consumption, and is reusable. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention addresses the problems existing in the prior art by proposing a wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure to solve the problems of high power consumption, complex structure, low sensitivity, and wired sensing faced by current threshold temperature sensors. When the temperature rises, two factors cause deformation of the origami structure. First, the V-beam thermally expands, driving the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the origami structure to deform under tension. Second, the thermal expansion coefficient of the second origami unit material is greater than that of the first origami unit material, resulting in a force along the negative Y-axis, causing deformation of the origami structure. This deformation causes the movable metal tip structure to move towards the fixed metal tip structure, reducing the distance between the two tips. When the temperature begins to cool down before reaching the threshold temperature, the sensor can return to its initial state. When the temperature continues to rise to the threshold temperature, the origami structure abruptly changes shape to a second steady state. At this point, the distance between the fixed and movable metal tips shortens drastically until the electric field strength between the two tips can break down the air medium, causing a breakdown discharge phenomenon and thus issuing a wireless threshold temperature alarm signal. When the temperature drops below the threshold temperature, because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second origami unit material is greater than that of the first origami unit material, the origami structure generates a force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, a driving current is applied to the V-beam, causing the V-beam to expand due to heat. This, in turn, drives the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the origami structure to undergo tensile deformation and thus abruptly return to the first steady state under the action of the force along the positive Y-axis. Removing the driving current applied to the V-beam at this point resets the sensor to its initial state.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure, comprising: a substrate, a V-beam, an origami structure, a movable metal tip, and a fixed metal tip. The origami-structured wireless threshold temperature sensor is placed as a whole on the substrate.

[0005] As an improvement of the present invention, the origami structure includes a first origami unit, a second origami unit, and a crease. The origami structure is composed of two materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first origami unit material is smaller than that of the second origami unit material, and it exhibits a bistable state. Initially, the origami structure maintains the first steady state. When the temperature rises, two factors cause deformation of the origami structure. First, the V-beam thermally expands, driving the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the origami structure to be stretched and deformed. Second, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second origami unit material is greater than that of the first origami unit material, causing the origami structure to generate a force along the negative Y-axis, resulting in deformation of the origami structure. The deformation of the origami structure causes the movable metal tip structure to move towards the fixed metal tip structure, reducing the distance between the two tip structures. When the temperature begins to cool down before reaching the threshold temperature, the sensor can return to its initial state. When the temperature rises to the threshold temperature, the origami structure abruptly changes to a second steady state. At this point, the distance between the fixed and movable metal tip structures shortens dramatically until the electric field strength between them is sufficient to break down the air medium, causing a breakdown discharge and triggering a wireless threshold temperature alarm signal. When the temperature drops below the threshold temperature, because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second origami unit material is greater than that of the first origami unit material, the origami structure generates a force along the positive Y-axis. A driving current is then applied to the V-beam, causing it to expand thermally and drive displacement along the positive and negative X-axis. This stretches and deforms the origami structure, causing it to abruptly return to the first steady state under the force along the positive Y-axis. Removing the driving current from the V-beam resets the sensor to its initial state. This wireless threshold temperature sensor offers advantages such as simple structure, high sensitivity, long transmission distance, ultra-low power consumption, and reusability.

[0006] As an improvement of the present invention, the V-beam includes a first V-beam and a second V-beam, wherein the first V-beam includes a first V-beam support beam, a second V-beam support beam, a first V-beam anchor area, a second V-beam anchor area, and a first V-beam drive rod; the second V-beam includes a third V-beam support beam, a fourth V-beam support beam, a third V-beam anchor area, a fourth V-beam anchor area, and a second V-beam drive rod. The first, second, third, and fourth V-beam anchor areas are all fixed to the substrate.

[0007] As an improvement of the present invention, the fixed metal tip structure includes a fixed metal tip, a support beam, and a support beam anchor region, wherein the support beam anchor region is fixed on the substrate. The fixed metal tip structure and the movable metal tip structure are important structures for achieving breakdown discharge. The metal tip has an extremely small radius of curvature, and the charge is highly concentrated at the tip, resulting in a local electric field strength much higher than the average electric field. This reduces the breakdown voltage required for the wireless threshold temperature sensor, which is conducive to the occurrence of breakdown discharge.

[0008] As an improvement of this invention, the wireless sensing function is achieved through a breakdown discharge phenomenon, enabling the wireless threshold temperature sensor to operate in a zero-power state until the temperature reaches the threshold temperature, thus achieving ultra-low power consumption. Furthermore, sensing via a breakdown discharge phenomenon eliminates the need for complex communication protocols, reducing the requirements for the signal receiving device.

[0009] As an improvement of the present invention, one end of the first support beam of the V-shaped beam is connected to the first anchor area of ​​the V-shaped beam, and the other end is connected to the first drive rod of the V-shaped beam. One end of the second support beam of the V-shaped beam is connected to the second anchor area of ​​the V-shaped beam, and the other end is connected to the first drive rod of the V-shaped beam. One end of the third support beam of the V-shaped beam is connected to the third anchor area of ​​the V-shaped beam, and the other end is connected to the second drive rod of the V-shaped beam. One end of the fourth support beam of the V-shaped beam is connected to the fourth anchor area of ​​the V-shaped beam, and the other end is connected to the second drive rod of the V-shaped beam. The other end of the first drive rod of the V-shaped beam is connected to one end of the origami structure, and the other end of the second drive rod of the V-shaped beam is connected to the other end of the origami structure. The crease is located in the middle of the first origami unit. The movable metal tip structure is located in the middle of the second origami unit. The fixed metal tip is connected to the support beam and fixed to the substrate through the anchor area of ​​the support beam.

[0010] As an improvement of the present invention, the method of using the sensor includes the following steps:

[0011] Step S1: In the initial state, the origami structure remains in its first steady state. The movable metal tip structure is grounded, and the fixed metal tip structure is connected to a high-voltage source. When the temperature rises, the first, second, third, and fourth V-beams expand thermally, which in turn drives the first and second driving rods of the V-beams to output displacement along the negative and positive X-axis directions, respectively, stretching the origami structure. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first origami unit is less than that of the second origami unit, causing the origami structure to generate a force along the negative Y-axis. The combined effect of these two factors causes the movable metal tip structure to move towards the fixed metal tip structure.

[0012] Step S2: When the temperature rises to the threshold temperature, the first, second, third, and fourth V-beams thermally expand, continuously driving the first and second driving rods of the V-beams to output displacement along the negative and positive X-axis directions, respectively, causing the origami structure to be continuously stretched. Simultaneously, the force along the negative Y-axis, generated by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials of the first and second origami units, continuously increases. The combined effect of these two factors causes the origami structure to abruptly transition to a second steady state. At this point, the distance between the fixed and movable metal tip structures shortens drastically until the electric field strength between the two tip structures is sufficient to break down the air medium, resulting in a breakdown discharge phenomenon and triggering a wireless threshold temperature alarm signal. Even if the temperature drops, the origami structure will remain in the second steady state.

[0013] Step S3: When the temperature drops below the threshold temperature, because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second folding unit material is greater than that of the first folding unit material, the folding structure generates a force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, a driving current is applied to the V-beam, causing the V-beam to expand due to heat, which in turn drives the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the folding structure to be stretched and deformed, thus abruptly returning to the first steady state under the action of the force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, the driving current applied to the V-beam is removed, and the sensor is reset to the initial state.

[0014] Beneficial effects:

[0015] Compared to existing technologies, the wireless threshold temperature sensor provided by this technical solution has advantages such as simple structure, high sensitivity, long transmission distance, ultra-low power consumption, and reusability. When the temperature rises, the origami structure deforms due to the combined effects of the horizontal displacement of the V-beam drive rod caused by the thermal expansion of the V-beam and the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials of the first and second origami units. When the temperature continues to rise to the threshold temperature, the origami structure abruptly changes to a second steady state. At this point, the distance between the fixed metal tip structure and the movable metal tip structure shortens drastically until the electric field strength between the two tip structures is sufficient to break down the air medium, resulting in a breakdown discharge phenomenon, thereby issuing a wireless threshold temperature alarm signal. When the temperature drops below the threshold temperature, because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second origami unit material is greater than that of the first origami unit material, the origami structure generates a force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, a driving current is applied to the V-beam, causing the V-beam to expand due to heat. This, in turn, drives the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the origami structure to undergo tensile deformation and thus abruptly return to the first steady state under the action of the force along the positive Y-axis. Removing the driving current applied to the V-beam at this point resets the sensor to its initial state. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the first steady state of a wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure provided in this invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second steady state of a wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure provided in this invention.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Substrate; 211. First origami unit; 212. Second origami unit; 221. Crease; 311. First anchor area of ​​V-beam; 312. Second anchor area of ​​V-beam; 313. Third anchor area of ​​V-beam; 314. Fourth anchor area of ​​V-beam; 321. First support beam of V-beam; 322. Second support beam of V-beam; 323. Third support beam of V-beam; 324. Fourth support beam of V-beam; 331. First drive rod of V-beam; 332. Second drive rod of V-beam; 4. Movable metal tip structure; 51. Fixed metal tip; 52. Support beam; 53. Support beam anchor area. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To enhance understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description of the embodiment is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Example 1: See Figure 1 This embodiment provides a wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure, the temperature sensor comprising:

[0021] Substrate 1, origami structure, V-beam, movable metal tip structure 4, fixed metal tip structure.

[0022] The origami structure includes a first origami unit 211, a second origami unit 212, a crease 221, and a movable metal tip 231.

[0023] The V-beam includes a first V-beam and a second V-beam. The first V-beam includes a first support beam 321, a second support beam 322, a first anchor area 311, a second anchor area 312, and a first drive rod 331. The second V-beam includes a third support beam 323, a fourth support beam 324, a third anchor area 313, a fourth anchor area 314, and a second drive rod 332. The first anchor area 311, the second anchor area 312, the third anchor area 313, and the fourth anchor area 314 are all fixed to the substrate 1.

[0024] The fixed metal tip structure includes a fixed metal tip 51, a support beam 52, and a support beam anchor area 53, wherein the support beam anchor area 53 is fixed on the substrate 1.

[0025] One end of the first V-beam support 321 is connected to the first anchorage 311 of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the first drive rod 331 of the V-beam. One end of the second V-beam support 322 is connected to the second anchorage 312 of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the first drive rod 331 of the V-beam. One end of the third V-beam support 323 is connected to the third anchorage 313 of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the second drive rod 332 of the V-beam. One end of the fourth V-beam support 324 is connected to the fourth anchorage 314 of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the second drive rod 332 of the V-beam. The other end of the first drive rod 331 of the V-beam is connected to one end of the origami structure, and the other end of the second drive rod 332 of the V-beam is connected to the other end of the origami structure. The crease 221 is located in the middle of the first origami unit 211. The movable metal tip structure 4 is located in the middle of the second origami unit 212. The fixed metal tip 51 is connected to the support beam 52 and is fixed to the substrate 1 through the support beam anchor area 53.

[0026] The method of using the origami-structured wireless threshold temperature sensor described in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0027] Step S1: In the initial state, the origami structure remains in the first steady state. The movable metal tip structure 4 is grounded, and the fixed metal tip structure is connected to a high-voltage source. When the temperature rises, the first V-beam 321, the second V-beam 322, the third V-beam 323, and the fourth V-beam 324 undergo thermal expansion, which in turn drives the first V-beam drive rod 331 and the second V-beam drive rod 332 to output displacement along the negative X-axis and the positive X-axis, respectively, causing the origami structure to be stretched. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the first origami unit 211 is less than that of the material of the second origami unit 212, causing the origami structure to generate a force along the negative Y-axis. The combined effect of these two factors causes the movable metal tip structure 4 to move towards the fixed metal tip structure.

[0028] Step S2: When the temperature rises to the threshold temperature, the first V-beam 321, the second V-beam 322, the third V-beam 323, and the fourth V-beam 324 thermally expand, continuously driving the first V-beam drive rod 331 and the second V-beam drive rod 332 to output displacement along the negative X-axis and the positive X-axis respectively, causing the origami structure to be continuously stretched. Simultaneously, the force along the negative Y-axis generated by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials of the first and second origami units 211 and 212 of the origami structure continuously increases. The combined effect of these two factors causes the origami structure to abruptly reach the second steady state. At this point, the distance between the fixed metal tip structure and the movable metal tip structure shortens drastically until the electric field strength between the two tip structures can break down the air medium, resulting in a breakdown discharge phenomenon and thus issuing a wireless threshold temperature alarm signal. Even if the temperature drops, the origami structure will remain in the second steady state.

[0029] Step S3: When the temperature drops below the threshold temperature, because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the second folding unit 212 is greater than that of the material of the first folding unit 211, the folding structure generates a force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, a driving current is applied to the V-beam, causing the V-beam to expand due to heat, which in turn drives the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the folding structure to be stretched and deformed, thus abruptly returning to the first steady state under the action of the force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, the driving current applied to the V-beam is removed, and the sensor is reset to the initial state.

[0030] In summary, the wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure in this invention differs from other threshold temperature sensors. This wireless threshold temperature sensor has the following main characteristics: 1. The deformation of the origami structure is achieved by the combined effect of the horizontal displacement output by the V-beam drive rod due to the thermal expansion of the V-beam and the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between the materials of the first and second origami units; 2. Threshold temperature measurement is achieved through the bistable abrupt change of the origami structure; 3. Wireless sensing is achieved through the breakdown discharge effect; 4. The initial state of the sensor is reset by applying a driving current to the V-beam.

[0031] The criteria for distinguishing whether something belongs to this structure are as follows:

[0032] (a) The V-beam drive rod is driven by the thermal expansion and deformation of the V-beam;

[0033] (b) The deformation of the origami structure is achieved by the horizontal displacement of the V-beam driving rod and the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the two materials in the origami structure.

[0034] (c) Threshold temperature measurement is achieved through bistable abrupt changes in origami structure;

[0035] (d) Wireless sensing is achieved through the breakdown discharge effect.

[0036] A structure that meets the above four conditions should be considered as a threshold temperature sensor.

[0037] Any aspects of this invention not described in detail are well-known to those skilled in the art.

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure, characterized in that, The origami-structured wireless threshold temperature sensor includes a substrate (1), a V-beam, an origami structure, a movable metal tip structure (4), and a fixed metal tip structure. The two ends of the origami structure are connected to the V-beam respectively, and are fixed on the substrate as a whole by the V-beam. The entire wireless threshold temperature sensor is symmetrical along the line connecting the movable metal tip structure (4) and the fixed metal tip structure. The movable metal tip structure is grounded, and the fixed metal tip structure is connected to a high voltage source. The origami structure includes a first origami unit (211), a second origami unit (212), and a crease (221). The coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the first origami unit is less than that of the material of the second origami unit. The origami structure has a bistable state. In the initial state, the origami structure is maintained in the first steady state. When the temperature rises, two factors cause the origami structure to deform. First, the V-beam thermally expands, which drives the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the origami structure to be stretched and deformed. Second, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the second origami unit is greater than that of the material of the first origami unit, which causes the origami structure to generate a force along the negative Y-axis, resulting in deformation of the origami structure. The combined effect of these two factors causes the origami structure to abruptly change to the second steady state.

2. The wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The V-beam includes a first V-beam and a second V-beam. The first V-beam includes a first V-beam support beam (321), a second V-beam support beam (322), a first V-beam anchor area (311), a second V-beam anchor area (312), and a first V-beam drive rod (331). The second V-beam includes a third V-beam support beam (323), a fourth V-beam support beam (324), a third V-beam anchor area (313), a fourth V-beam anchor area (314), and a second V-beam drive rod (332). The first V-beam anchor area (311), the second V-beam anchor area (312), the third V-beam anchor area (313), and the fourth V-beam anchor area (314) are all fixed on the substrate (1).

3. A wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixed metal tip structure includes a fixed metal tip (51), a support beam (52) and a support beam anchor area (53), wherein the support beam anchor area (53) is fixed on the substrate (1).

4. A wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, One end of the first support beam (321) of the V-beam is connected to the first anchorage area (311) of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the first drive rod (331) of the V-beam. One end of the second support beam (322) of the V-beam is connected to the second anchorage area (312) of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the first drive rod (331) of the V-beam. One end of the third support beam (323) of the V-beam is connected to the third anchorage area (313) of the V-beam, and the other end is connected to the second drive rod (332) of the V-beam. One end of the fourth support beam (324) of the V-beam is connected to the fourth anchorage area (323) of the V-beam. The first drive rod (331) of the V-beam is connected to the second drive rod (332) of the V-beam; the other end of the first drive rod (331) of the V-beam is connected to one end of the origami structure, the other end of the second drive rod (332) of the V-beam is connected to the other end of the origami structure, the crease (221) is located in the middle of the first origami unit (211), the movable metal tip structure (4) is located in the middle of the second origami unit (212), one end of the support beam (52) is connected to the fixed metal tip (51), and the other end is connected to the anchor area (53) of the support beam.

5. A wireless threshold temperature sensor with an origami structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method of using the sensor includes the following steps: Step S1: In the initial state, the origami structure is maintained in the first steady state. The movable metal tip structure (4) is grounded, and the fixed metal tip structure is connected to a high-voltage source. When the temperature rises, the first branch beam (321), the second branch beam (322), the third branch beam (323), and the fourth branch beam (324) of the V-beam are thermally expanded, which in turn drives the first drive rod (331) and the second drive rod (332) of the V-beam to output displacement in the negative X-axis direction and the positive X-axis direction, respectively, so that the origami structure is stretched. The thermal expansion coefficient of the first origami unit (211) is less than that of the second origami unit (212), so that the origami structure generates a force in the negative Y-axis direction. The combined effect of the above two factors causes the movable metal tip structure (4) to move towards the fixed metal tip structure. Step S2: When the temperature rises to the threshold temperature, the first V-beam (321), the second V-beam (322), the third V-beam (323), and the fourth V-beam (324) thermally expand, continuously driving the first V-beam drive rod (331) and the second V-beam drive rod (332) to output displacement along the negative X-axis and the positive X-axis respectively, so that the origami structure is continuously stretched; at the same time, the force along the negative Y-axis caused by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials of the first origami unit (211) and the second origami unit (212) of the origami structure continuously increases; the combined effect of the above two factors causes the origami structure to suddenly change to the second steady state. At this time, the distance between the fixed metal tip structure and the movable metal tip structure is drastically shortened to the point that the electric field strength between the two tip structures can break down the air medium, resulting in a breakdown discharge phenomenon, thereby issuing a wireless threshold temperature alarm signal. At this time, even if the temperature drops, the origami structure will remain in the second steady state. Step S3: When the temperature drops below the threshold temperature, since the thermal expansion coefficient of the material of the second folding unit (212) of the folding structure is greater than that of the material of the first folding unit (211), the folding structure generates a force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, a driving current is applied to the V-beam, causing the V-beam to expand due to heat, thereby driving the V-beam to output displacement along the positive and negative X-axis, causing the folding structure to be stretched and deformed, thus abruptly returning to the first steady state under the action of the force along the positive Y-axis. At this time, the driving current applied to the V-beam is removed, and the sensor is reset to the initial state.

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