Curved Axis Correction Members for Thermal Conductivity Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermal conductivity measurement apparatuses face challenges in achieving precise measurements due to spatial bias in heat flow when the object is not disposed vertically between the heating and cooling holding members, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies, and require complex systems to detect abnormal dispositions, which increase costs and measurement time.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates axis correction members with curved and flat faces to align the heating, object, and cooling members, allowing for precise temperature measurement and reduced temperature variation without the need for special adjustments, thereby ensuring accurate and efficient thermal conductivity measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the object to be measured is disposed in a non-normal (tilted) state between the heating-side holding member and the cooling-side holding member, then the setup is more flexible, but the flow of heat becomes spatially biased and measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposition flexibilityVSAvoidthermophysical property measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs curved surfaces (specifically cylindrical or spherical surfaces) on the axis correction members instead of flat surfaces. These curved surfaces enable automatic axial alignment when the holding members are brought into contact, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while ensuring that heat flows vertically without spatial bias, thus resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a complex detection system is added to detect abnormal disposition of the holding members and object, then disposition abnormalities can be detected, but the apparatus complexity increases and measurement time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The axis correction members with curved surfaces enable the system to self-correct and self-align automatically through the physical act of bringing holding members into contact. This self-aligning mechanism inherently prevents abnormal dispositions without requiring external detection systems, thereby achieving reliability improvement while avoiding increased device complexity and measurement time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual adjustment is performed to ensure vertical alignment of the heating-side holding member, object to be measured, and cooling-side holding member, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical alignment accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The curved surfaces on the axis correction members perform the alignment action automatically at the moment of contact between holding members. This preliminary self-aligning action occurs before the measurement process begins, eliminating the need for subsequent manual adjustments and thereby achieving high vertical alignment accuracy without increasing setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for accurate and efficient thermal conductivity measurements by ensuring axial alignment of the heating, object, and cooling members, reducing measurement setup and adjustment times while maintaining high precision.

Implementation Method 1

a heating member including an abutting end face that abuts on the distal end face of the first holding member... the heating member heating the first holding member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a cooling member including an abutting end face that abuts on the distal end face of the second holding member... the cooling member cooling the second holding member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

at least one face of the first axis correction member and the second axis correction member is a curved face having a convex curved shape... allowing for precise temperature measurement and reduced temperature variation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric alignment: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS10775329B2Thermal conductivity measurement device and thermal conductivity measurement method

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A thermal conductivity measurement device comprises: first and second clamping members which clamp an object; a heating member which has a contacting end surface which contacts a distal end surface of the first clamping member through a first axial correction member, and a distal end surface on the reverse side of the contacting end surface; a cooling member which has a contacting end surface which contacts a distal end surface of the second clamping member through a second axial correction member, and a distal end surface on the reverse side of the contacting end surface; a plurality of temperature sensors disposed on the clamping members; and a mechanism which applies a pressing force between the heating member and the cooling member. At least one surface of the first axial correction member and the second axial correction member has a convex curved shape, and the other surface is a flat surface.