Calibrator Block with Embedded Heaters for Temperature Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing calibrators for temperature function devices, such as thermometers and thermal switches, require significant energy and time to achieve homogeneous temperature distribution due to their metallic construction, leading to high costs and effort in calibrating multiple devices with varying temperature requirements.

Innovation Solution

A calibrator block made of thermally insulating material with embedded heating devices on its lateral surface, allowing for efficient heat transfer to a thermally conductive receiving body, which can accommodate different temperature measuring devices with reduced effort and time, using ceramic or similar materials for the calibrator block and metallic receiving bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the calibrator block is made of thermally conductive material (metal), then homogeneous temperature distribution is achieved, but heating time and energy consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two functional parts: a thermally insulating calibrator block and a separate thermally conductive receiving body. This segmentation allows the block to minimize heat loss while the receiving body ensures uniform temperature distribution, resolving the contradiction between heating time and temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different materials with opposite thermal properties are assigned to different components: the calibrator block uses thermally insulating material to reduce heat loss, while the receiving body uses thermally conductive material to achieve uniform temperature distribution. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the calibrator block is made of thermally conductive material, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the heat retention function (calibrator block with insulating material) from the heat distribution function (receiving body with conductive material). This allows the block to maintain temperature stability with minimal energy input while the receiving body ensures uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving body acts as a temporary heat storage component that is quickly heated and then replaced or reused. This allows the system to achieve temperature stability without continuously heating a large thermal mass, reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If heating devices are provided on each receiving body, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidreceiving body complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single heating device in the calibrator block serves multiple receiving bodies with different temperature requirements. This universal heating approach eliminates the need for individual heating devices on each receiving body, reducing complexity while maintaining heating efficiency through controlled heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is extracted from the receiving bodies and centralized in the calibrator block. This extraction simplifies the receiving bodies to pure heat transfer components while consolidating the heating control in one location, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables rapid and stable temperature distribution along the receiving body, allowing for efficient calibration of multiple devices with fewer resources and reduced production costs, as the calibrator block's insulating properties minimize heat absorption and allow for uniform temperature maintenance over time.

Implementation Method 1

the calibrator block has at least one heating device in the region of the cavity, which is used for heating the receiving body. The decisive factor for the invention is, on the one hand, that the calibrator block is made of a thermally insulating material, with thermally insulating materials usually also being those that have electrically insulating properties on the other hand, and moreover, by embedding the heating device in the lateral surface of the cavity for optimum heat transfer is taken care of.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the calibrator block is made of a thermally insulating material, with thermally insulating materials usually also being those that have electrically insulating properties... the calibrator block's insulating properties minimize heat absorption and allow for uniform temperature maintenance over time.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2793008B1Calibrator for calibration of temperature measuring devices
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 SIKA DR SIEBERT & KÜHN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2793008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2793008B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a calibrator (1) for calibrating temperature functional devices, e.g. thermometers or thermal switches, with a calibration device (10), wherein the calibration device (10) comprises a calibrator block (13) with a cavity (15) for receiving a receiving body (20) for at least one temperature measuring device to be calibrated, wherein the calibrator block comprises a material with thermally insulating properties and the receiving body (20) comprises a material with thermally conductive properties, wherein at least one heating device (14) is embedded in the calibrator block in the area of ​​the cavity (15).