Temperature sensor capable of realizing flexible installation

The NTC probe with a flexible mounting structure, protected by a thermally conductive silicone grease layer and heat shrink tubing, solves the problems of large space occupation and low installation efficiency of traditional NTC probes, achieving rapid response and efficient installation.

CN224216183UActive Publication Date: 2026-05-08GUANGDONG WANNUO SENSOR TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
GUANGDONG WANNUO SENSOR TECH CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-06-09
Publication Date
2026-05-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Traditional NTC probes occupy a large space in the cup during installation, affecting aesthetics and portability. They also have slow heat conduction speed, delayed temperature control response, low installation efficiency, and low production efficiency.

Method used

It adopts a flexible mounting structure, including a thermal grease layer applied to the outer surface of the NTC thermistor and the lead wires protected by heat shrink tubing No. 1 and No. 2. The stripping length is increased, allowing bending at any angle and eliminating the need for a traditional outer shell structure.

Benefits of technology

It shortens the response time of NTC probes, improves installation efficiency and space utilization, reduces production costs, adapts to various confined space scenarios, and allows for more flexible design.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of temperature sensors, in particular to a temperature sensor capable of realizing flexible installation, which comprises an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor, the right part of the outer surface of the NTC thermistor is sleeved with a first heat shrink tube, the left end of the first heat shrink tube is fixedly connected with a second heat shrink tube in a penetrating manner, the left end of the NTC thermistor is fixedly connected with two leads, and the two leads are fixedly connected with the NTC thermistor. The left ends of the two leads are jointly and fixedly connected with a connector, the outer surface of the NTC thermistor is coated with a heat conduction silicone grease layer, the outer surface of the first heat shrink tube and the outer surface of the second heat shrink tube are both coated with insulation protection layers, two connecting ports are formed in the right end of the connector, and the outer surfaces of the two leads are both coated with protection layers. According to the temperature sensor capable of realizing flexible installation, the heat conduction silicone grease layer, the first heat shrink tube and the second heat shrink tube are arranged on the whole temperature sensor, so that the space utilization rate can be improved, and the response speed of the NTC probe is greatly shortened.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of temperature sensor technology, and in particular to a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed. Background Technology

[0002] This is a temperature sensor that eliminates the traditional encapsulation shell and uses a flexible bending structure for direct thermal coupling with the cup body. It is suitable for beverage containers that require rapid temperature feedback, such as self-heating cups and smart coffee cups. The use of existing traditional NTC probes has at least the following drawbacks: 1. The installation of existing traditional NTC probes, such as drilling holes and fixing brackets, takes up a lot of space in the cup body, affecting aesthetics and portability. The shell body and internal encapsulation layer slow down the heat conduction speed and delay the temperature control response, resulting in overheating of the beverage; 2. Existing traditional NTC probes require a separate snap-fit ​​structure or screws for installation, which reduces production efficiency. Therefore, we have launched a new temperature sensor that can achieve flexible installation. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed, which can effectively solve the problems in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0005] A temperature sensor capable of flexible installation includes an NTC thermistor. A first heat shrink tubing is fitted onto the right side of the outer surface of the NTC thermistor. A second heat shrink tubing is fixedly connected to the left end of the first heat shrink tubing. Two leads are fixedly connected to the left end of the NTC thermistor. A connector is fixedly connected to the left end of both leads. A thermally conductive silicone grease layer is applied to the outer surface of the NTC thermistor. An insulating protective layer is applied to the outer surfaces of both the first and second heat shrink tubing. Two connection ports are provided on the right end of the connector. A protective layer is applied to the outer surfaces of both leads.

[0006] Preferably, both leads are located inside heat shrink tubing No. 1 and heat shrink tubing No. 2.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, short circuits between solder joints and the thermistor pins are prevented by using heat shrink tubing No. 1 and heat shrink tubing No. 2 together.

[0008] Preferably, the outer surface of the thermally conductive silicone grease layer is in contact with the inner wall of the first heat shrink tubing.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the response speed of the NTC probe can be greatly shortened after applying thermally conductive silicone grease to the outer surface of the NTC thermistor.

[0010] Preferably, each of the two leads corresponds to one of the two connection ports.

[0011] Preferably, both protective layers are in contact with the inner walls of heat shrink tubing No. 1 and heat shrink tubing No. 2.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. By setting up an NTC thermistor and applying a thermally conductive silicone grease layer to the outer surface of the NTC thermistor, the traditional NTC probe mounting structure with a shell is abandoned. The physical separation between the NTC thermistor and the heat source is changed from four layers: insulation layer, potting layer, shell, and glass encapsulation, to two layers: insulation layer and glass encapsulation. With the application of thermally conductive silicone grease, the response speed of the NTC probe can be greatly shortened (the thermal time constant can be shortened from 3s of the traditional probe to 0.5s).

[0014] 2. By setting the wire stripping length to twice the length of a conventional solder joint, the exposed unsoldered portion of the NTC probe can be bent at any angle (as long as the bending point is at the stripped wire section, the unsoldered section can be easily shaped, effectively preventing springback and avoiding damage to the solder joint). The flexible installation structure can adapt to various confined spaces. As long as the mold design reserves the space in advance, its shape can be varied and does not have to adhere to a regular shape, making the overall design more flexible. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a side view of a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a right view of a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a left view of a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed according to this utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed according to this utility model.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. NTC thermistor; 2. Heat shrink tubing #1; 3. Heat shrink tubing #2; 4. Lead wire; 5. Connector; 6. Thermal grease layer; 7. Insulating protective layer; 8. Connection port; 9. Protective layer. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "both ends," "one end," and "the other end," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," and "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0024] Please see Figure 1-4 This utility model provides a technical solution:

[0025] A temperature sensor capable of flexible installation includes an NTC thermistor 1. A first heat shrink tubing 2 is fitted onto the right side of the outer surface of the NTC thermistor 1. A second heat shrink tubing 3 is fixedly connected to the left end of the first heat shrink tubing 2. Two leads 4 are fixedly connected to the left end of the NTC thermistor 1. A connector 5 is fixedly connected to the left end of the two leads 4. A thermally conductive silicone grease layer 6 is applied to the outer surface of the NTC thermistor 1. An insulating protective layer 7 is applied to the outer surfaces of both the first heat shrink tubing 2 and the second heat shrink tubing 3. Two connection ports 8 are opened at the right end of the connector 5. A protective layer 9 is applied to the outer surfaces of both leads 4.

[0026] In this embodiment, both leads 4 are located inside the first heat shrink tubing 2 and the second heat shrink tubing 3; the two leads 4 correspond one-to-one with the two connection ports 8.

[0027] The above scheme provides short-circuit protection for the solder joints and the thermistor pins during the connection process between the two leads 4 and the NTC thermistor 1.

[0028] In this embodiment, the outer surface of the thermal grease layer 6 is in contact with the inner wall of the first heat shrink tubing 2; both protective layers 9 are in contact with the inner walls of the first heat shrink tubing 2 and the second heat shrink tubing 3.

[0029] Through the above solution, the thermally conductive silicone grease layer 6 can shorten the response speed of the NTC probe and accelerate the temperature control response rate. During the entire installation and connection process of the temperature sensor with the self-heating cup and smart coffee cup, the temperature sensor is located between the bottom of the cup and the heat insulation pad at the bottom of the cup, so as to facilitate the rapid temperature feedback process of the temperature sensor.

[0030] It should be noted that this utility model is a temperature sensor that can be flexibly installed. During use, the NTC thermistor 1 is connected to two leads 4 by welding or riveting. At the end of the two leads 4, there is a connector 5 for docking with the temperature control. The exposed core of the NTC thermistor 1 on one side and the solder joint is covered with iron No. 2 heat shrink tubing 3 to prevent short circuits between the solder joint and the thermistor leads. The NTC thermistor 1 and the overall exposed metal parts are covered with iron No. 1 heat shrink tubing 2 for insulation protection, forming a whole. First of all, this temperature sensor abandons the traditional NTC probe with a shell installation structure, so that the physical isolation between the NTC thermistor 1 and the heat source is changed from four layers of insulation layer, potting layer, shell and glass encapsulation to two layers of insulation layer and glass encapsulation. With the application of thermal grease, the response speed of the NTC probe can be greatly shortened (the thermal time constant can be shortened from 3s of the traditional probe to 0.5s). Meanwhile, the stripping length of the temperature sensor lead 4 is designed to be twice that of a conventional solder joint. During installation, the exposed, unsoldered portion of the NTC probe core can be bent at any angle (the bending point only needs to be at the stripped section of lead 4, the unsoldered section), easily shaping it and effectively preventing springback and damage to the solder joint. Finally, the flexible mounting structure of this temperature sensor adapts to various confined spaces. Only the mold design needs to pre-allocate space, allowing for diverse shapes without adhering to rigid rules, making the overall design more flexible. This technical solution solves the problems of traditional temperature sensors, such as numerous components, small liquid capacity, rapid heating leading to response delays, and low installation efficiency. It also reduces the cost of the temperature sensor, shortens the production cycle, and its flexible structure design makes the overall design more convenient and diverse, improving space utilization.

[0031] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor capable of flexible mounting, comprising an NTC thermistor (1), characterized in that: The NTC thermistor (1) has a heat shrink tube (2) fitted on the right side of its outer surface. A heat shrink tube (3) is fixedly connected to the left end of the heat shrink tube (2). Two leads (4) are fixedly connected to the left end of the NTC thermistor (1). A connector (5) is fixedly connected to the left end of the two leads (4). A thermally conductive silicone grease layer (6) is applied to the outer surface of the NTC thermistor (1). An insulating protective layer (7) is applied to the outer surfaces of the heat shrink tube (2) and the heat shrink tube (3). Two connection ports (8) are opened on the right end of the connector (5). A protective layer (9) is applied to the outer surfaces of the two leads (4).

2. The temperature sensor capable of flexible installation according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both leads (4) are located inside the first heat shrink tubing (2) and the second heat shrink tubing (3).

3. A temperature sensor capable of flexible installation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the thermally conductive silicone grease layer (6) is in contact with the inner wall of the No. 1 heat shrink tubing (2).

4. A temperature sensor capable of flexible installation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two leads (4) correspond one-to-one with the two connectors (8).

5. A temperature sensor capable of flexible installation according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both of the protective layers (9) are in contact with the inner walls of heat shrink tubing No. 1 (2) and heat shrink tubing No. 2 (3).