Multi-material thermal exploration box
By designing a multi-material thermal exploration box, combining geographical topography and materials science, and using thermocouples and microprocessors to achieve simultaneous detection and comparison of the thermal properties of multiple materials, the problem of existing teaching aids lacking intuitiveness and interdisciplinary integration is solved, thereby enhancing teenagers' scientific inquiry interest and comprehensive thinking ability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 大连市气象装备保障中心(大连市国家基准气候站)
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing science education tools lack intuitive and operable tools for teenagers to understand the relationship between surface materials and the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of tools for comparing the thermal properties of multiple materials, making it impossible to simulate real urban environments. The integration of interdisciplinary knowledge is insufficient, making it difficult to cultivate comprehensive inquiry abilities.
Design a multi-material thermal exploration chamber with a layered chamber structure. Combining geographical topography, materials science and electronic technology, and using thermocouples, microprocessors and solar power, it can realize the synchronous detection and comparative display of the thermal properties of multiple materials, and present data in multiple dimensions through LED lights and voice modules.
It enables teenagers to intuitively compare the thermal properties of various materials, simulates real geographical scenarios, cultivates interdisciplinary thinking, enhances their interest in scientific inquiry, reduces costs, and conforms to the concept of green science popularization.
Smart Images
Figure CN224501384U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of science popularization and teaching aids technology, specifically a multi-material thermal exploration box. Background Technology
[0002] With the acceleration of global urbanization, the urban heat island effect has become a significant problem affecting the ecological environment and the quality of life of residents. Statistics show that temperatures in urban centers are generally 3-5°C higher than in surrounding suburbs, and in extreme cases, can reach over 8°C. This phenomenon is closely related to the thermal properties of surface covering materials. However, current science education for teenagers largely remains theoretical regarding the relationship between surface materials and the heat island effect, lacking intuitive and hands-on experimental tools. This makes it difficult for teenagers to connect abstract thermal principles with real-world environmental phenomena.
[0003] Currently, most science toys on the market focus on demonstrating single disciplines or simple phenomena (such as basic circuits and plant growth), while educational tools that compare the thermal properties of multiple materials are extremely scarce. Existing temperature observation tools (such as infrared thermometers and single-channel thermometers) have functional limitations: they can only measure at a single point and cannot simultaneously compare multiple materials; they lack integration with geographical scenarios and are difficult to simulate real urban environments; and most rely on mains power, which does not conform to the concept of green science popularization.
[0004] In educational settings, while school laboratories can conduct simple endothermic comparison experiments, they often use scattered equipment (such as beakers, thermometers, and different colored pieces of paper), resulting in low measurement accuracy, cumbersome data recording, and a lack of systematic design. This makes it difficult for students to develop a holistic understanding of the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, existing teaching aids lack sufficient integration of interdisciplinary knowledge, failing to organically combine content from multiple fields such as geography, materials science, and electronic technology, thus limiting the cultivation of comprehensive inquiry abilities in young people.
[0005] Therefore, developing a science experiment kit that is compact, easy to operate, can simultaneously compare the thermal properties of various surface materials, and integrates real geographical scenes, solar power supply, and real-time data visualization is key to solving the above problems and is of great significance for enhancing teenagers' interest in scientific inquiry and cultivating interdisciplinary thinking. Utility Model Content
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a multi-material thermal exploration box that enables the simultaneous detection and comparative display of the thermal properties of multiple materials. It integrates interdisciplinary knowledge such as geography, materials science and electronic technology, and provides teenagers with a simple, environmentally friendly and systematic thermal exploration science popularization teaching tool.
[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the embodiments of this utility model provide the following technical solution: a multi-material thermal exploration box, comprising a layered box body, the top layer being a map outline layer for placing different thermal sample materials, the middle layer being a temperature sensor layer, and the bottom layer being a control circuit layer; the control circuit layer includes a microprocessor and an analog switch chip, a sampling conditioning module, a voltage conversion module, a display module, a voice module, and an LED light circuit electrically connected to the microprocessor; the input terminal of the sampling conditioning module is connected to the analog switch chip, the input terminal of the analog switch chip is connected to multiple thermocouples, the multiple thermocouples are arranged in the middle temperature sensor layer and the temperature detection terminals are inserted into different thermal sample materials in the map outline layer; the input terminal of the voltage conversion module is connected to a lithium battery, the input terminal of the lithium battery is connected to a charging management chip, and the input terminal of the charging management chip is connected to a solar panel.
[0008] Optionally, the microprocessor is an STM32F103 microcontroller.
[0009] Optionally, the thermocouple is a type K thermocouple.
[0010] Optionally, the analog switch chip is a CD4051 chip, wherein the microprocessor is connected to the addressing control terminals A, B, and C of the CD4051 chip.
[0011] Optionally, the sampling conditioning module uses a MAX6675 sensor signal conversion chip.
[0012] Optionally, the voltage conversion module uses a low-noise LDO regulator chip, AMS1117-3.3.
[0013] Optionally, the solar panel is a 5V / 3W foldable solar panel with a pluggable design.
[0014] Optionally, the charging management chip is a TP4056 charging management chip.
[0015] Optionally, the lithium battery is an 18650 lithium battery.
[0016] Optionally, the LED light circuit includes LED light circuits of various colors, used to indicate the temperature status of the thermal sample material of the map outline layer respectively.
[0017] The above-described technical solution of this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0018] The above solution simulates real geographical scenes through map outline layers and combines various surface material samples to allow teenagers to intuitively compare the thermal properties of different materials. The synchronous measurement function solves the limitations of traditional tools' single-point measurement and difficulty in comparison. It simulates the temperature difference between "urban areas" and "suburbs," which helps to understand the heat island effect. It integrates interdisciplinary knowledge such as geography and materials science, making up for the lack of interdisciplinary integration in existing teaching aids, and effectively cultivating scientific inquiry interest and comprehensive thinking.
[0019] The layered structure is compact and reasonable. The analog switch chip CD4051, in conjunction with the single-channel sampling and conditioning module MAX6675, enables efficient acquisition of multiple temperature signals, reducing component usage and lowering cost and circuit complexity. The signal conditioning chip MAX6675 integrates signal amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, and temperature compensation functions, reducing the complexity of external circuitry.
[0020] The display module, LED lights, and voice module present data from multiple dimensions. The LED color and intensity intuitively reflect the temperature conditions of the corresponding simulated area, and the operation is simple. A variety of common material samples cover typical surface types, and the experimental results are close to reality, helping to establish the correlation between material properties and heat absorption capacity. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a top view of the multi-material thermal exploration chamber of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a side sectional view of the multi-material thermal exploration box of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the electrical control principle of the multi-material thermal exploration box of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the analog switch chip circuit for the multi-material thermal exploration box of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram of the sampling and conditioning module of the multi-material thermal exploration box of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the LED light circuit for the multi-material thermal exploration box of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of the power supply circuit for the multi-material thermal exploration box of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0028] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of this utility model clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0029] like Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown, this utility model discloses a multi-material thermal exploration box, comprising a layered box body, which is divided into a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top layer is a map outline layer 3 for placing different thermal sample materials, the middle layer is a temperature sensor layer 2, and the bottom layer is a control circuit layer 1. The box body is a rectangular box made of sturdy, weather-resistant materials (such as engineering plastics, acrylic, and waterproof-treated wood). Its dimensions are 50-70cm long, 30-40cm wide, and 15-20cm high (including the space for the lower circuit layer). The top surface of the box body is constructed as a sunken terrain model based on the map outline. The central area of the model simulates various areas of a city, while the surrounding area simulates suburbs / mountains / water areas. The sunken depth is approximately 3-5cm, forming multiple independent "urban units" of varying shapes, such as... Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment sets 7 materials, which are represented by a, b, c, d, e, f and g respectively.
[0030] The enclosure adopts a layered design, in which:
[0031] Top Layer (Material Layer): The sunken model area, used for laying seven types of materials, including coarse sand, fine sand, cement powder / small blocks, small gravel / pebbles, soil, black plastic granules / sheets, and asphalt granules / small blocks. A small hole with a diameter of approximately 3-5mm is pre-drilled at the center of the bottom of each urban unit, leading directly to the sensor layer below.
[0032] Middle layer (sensor mounting layer): Located below the material layer. Directly below each "city unit" hole, a sensor socket / clip is fixed for secure sensor insertion. This layer facilitates wiring and probe mounting, ensuring the probe tip can contact the material above through the hole.
[0033] Bottom layer (circuit layer): A separate compartment at the bottom of the enclosure, approximately 5-8cm high. Used for installing the main control circuit board, display screen, battery, etc. Side walls have pre-installed sensor cable entry points, USB charging ports, and a power switch. The display screen is mounted through a front window.
[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the control circuit layer 1 includes a microprocessor 11 and an analog switch chip 14, a sampling and conditioning module 15, a voltage conversion module 16, a display module 111, a voice module 12, and an LED light circuit 110 electrically connected to the microprocessor 11. The input terminal of the sampling and conditioning module 15 is connected to the analog switch chip 14, and the input terminal of the analog switch chip 14 is connected to multiple thermocouples 13. The input terminal of the voltage conversion module 16 is connected to a lithium battery 19, the input terminal of the lithium battery 19 is connected to a charging management chip 18, and the input terminal of the charging management chip 18 is connected to a solar panel 17.
[0035] Microprocessor 11 uses the STM32F103 microcontroller. The STM32F103 is a 32-bit microcontroller from STMicroelectronics' STM32F1 series, based on the ARM Cortex-M3 core, with a maximum clock speed of 72MHz. It has 32KB~512KB of Flash memory and 6KB~64KB of SRAM. It offers rich peripherals, including timers, various communication interfaces (UART, SPI, etc.), USB, CAN, a 12-bit ADC / DAC, and DMA. It operates at 2.0~3.6V and supports low power consumption. The STM32F103 microcontroller has mature development resources, high cost-effectiveness, and is widely used in industrial control, smart homes, and the Internet of Things (IoT), making it a common choice for embedded systems beginners and small to medium-sized projects.
[0036] Thermocouple 13 is a type K thermocouple, which is made of nickel-chromium-nickel-silicon alloy and has significant advantages: wide temperature measurement range (-200℃~1300℃), covering the needs of multiple scenarios; good stability with small drift over long-term use; excellent linearity and large output thermoelectric potential, which facilitates signal processing; low cost and readily available materials, making it suitable for mass production applications; fast response speed and strong oxidation resistance, adaptable to various environments, and can be widely used in industrial temperature measurement, laboratory and other fields, offering high cost performance.
[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the analog switch chip 14 is a CD4051 chip, and the microprocessor 11 is connected to the addressing control terminals A, B, and C of the CD4051 chip. The microprocessor 11 sends different combinations of control commands to the addressing control terminals A, B, and C to sequentially select the temperature signals of different terminals connected to the X0-X7 pins of the chip's input terminals. The selected signals are output to the sampling and conditioning module 15 through the X pin.
[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, the sampling and conditioning module 15 uses the MAX6675 sensor signal conversion chip. The MAX6675 can convert the analog signal of a K-type thermocouple into a digital signal. It has a built-in ambient temperature compensation module to eliminate measurement errors, directly converting the small voltage signal of the K-type thermocouple into a readable digital quantity, and integrating signal amplification, analog-to-digital conversion and temperature compensation functions to reduce the complexity of the external circuitry.
[0039] Solar panel 17 is a 5V / 3W foldable solar panel with a pluggable design. Charging management chip 18 is a TP4056 chip, responsible for charging the battery from the solar panel and providing a stable 5V output to the system. Lithium battery 19 is an 18650 lithium battery. Voltage conversion module 16 uses a low-noise LDO regulator chip AMS1117-3.3, responsible for converting the lithium battery voltage to 3.3V for use by components such as the MCU, display screen, and operational amplifiers. The overall power supply circuit schematic is shown below. Figure 7 As shown.
[0040] like Figure 6 The diagram shown is a schematic of LED light circuit 110. This invention includes LED light circuits of various colors to indicate the temperature of the thermal sample material in the map outline layer 3. Each LED light corresponds to the temperature effect display of a simulated area on the upper layer of the housing.
[0041] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:
[0042] Connect the power supply and place the solar panel in sunlight, connecting it to the enclosure. Turn on the power switch and observe the temperature readings on the seven channels displayed on the screen. Place the panel in sunlight for a period of time (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours), recording the temperature of each material at different time points. Compare which material heats up the fastest and reaches the highest temperature (e.g., asphalt, dark-colored plastic), and which heats up the slowest and reaches the lowest temperature (e.g., light-colored stone, soil). Understand the relationship between material color, texture, and heat absorption capacity. By observing the temperature difference between a simulated "urban area" (paved with asphalt, cement, etc.) and a simulated "suburb / green space" (paved with soil, sand, etc.), participants can intuitively experience the "heat island" effect.
[0043] Different materials require different amounts of heat to rise to the same temperature; those with lower specific heat capacity heat up faster (such as metals and asphalt). Materials also differ in their heat conduction capabilities, affecting the internal distribution of heat and the rate at which it dissipates into the air. Dark-colored surfaces absorb solar radiation more readily (reflect less), while light-colored surfaces reflect more readily (absorb less). For example, the extensive use of materials like concrete and asphalt in cities, which absorb and store heat quickly, coupled with reduced vegetation and anthropogenic heat emissions, leads to significantly higher temperatures in city centers compared to surrounding suburbs.
[0044] After the temperature sensor detects temperature values from different simulated areas, the microprocessor controls the speed and intensity of the LED lights to map the rate of material temperature rise and its effect. For example, a faster temperature rise corresponds to a faster LED light up, and a higher temperature corresponds to a brighter LED light. The microprocessor uses PWM control technology to control the LED brightness. The temperature values are displayed on the display module and announced via the voice module, presenting the data in a multi-dimensional way.
[0045] This invention places an analog switch chip at the rear end of multiple temperature sensors, sequentially selecting the temperature values collected by the sensors, and then processing them through a signal conditioning chip. Signal processing for multiple temperature detection circuits can be completed using only one signal conditioning chip. This avoids the high cost and complex circuit layout problems associated with setting up signal conditioning for each temperature sensor individually. The MAX6675 signal conditioning chip integrates signal amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, and temperature compensation functions, reducing the complexity of external circuitry.
[0046] The above description is the preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A multi-material thermal exploration chamber, characterized in that, The device includes a layered enclosure. The top layer is a map outline layer for placing different thermal sample materials, the middle layer is a temperature sensor layer, and the bottom layer is a control circuit layer. The control circuit layer includes a microprocessor and an analog switch chip electrically connected to the microprocessor, a sampling and conditioning module, a voltage conversion module, a display module, a voice module, and an LED circuit. The input terminal of the sampling and conditioning module is connected to the analog switch chip, and the input terminal of the analog switch chip is connected to multiple thermocouples. The multiple thermocouples are located in the middle temperature sensor layer, and their temperature detection terminals are inserted into different thermal sample materials in the map outline layer. The input terminal of the voltage conversion module is connected to a lithium battery, the input terminal of the lithium battery is connected to a charging management chip, and the input terminal of the charging management chip is connected to a solar panel.
2. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microprocessor is an STM32F103 microcontroller.
3. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermocouple is a type K thermocouple.
4. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The analog switch chip is a CD4051 chip, and the microprocessor is connected to the addressing control terminals A, B, and C of the CD4051 chip.
5. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sampling and conditioning module uses a MAX6675 sensor signal conversion chip.
6. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voltage conversion module uses a low-noise LDO regulator chip, AMS1117-3.
3.
7. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solar panel is a 5V / 3W foldable solar panel with a pluggable design.
8. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging management chip is the TP4056 charging management chip.
9. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lithium battery is an 18650 lithium battery.
10. The multi-material thermal exploration chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The LED light circuit includes LED light circuits of various colors, used to indicate the temperature status of the thermal sample material of the map outline layer.