Dual Temperature Sensor Layout for Body Heat-Compensated Air Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensors for measuring air temperature in electronic devices face challenges with waterproofing and design, and accurately measuring air temperature is hindered by body heat when the sensor is enclosed within the device.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device employs multiple temperature sensors, including a first and second sensor positioned within the device, with thermally conductive materials in between, to estimate a heat flux based on temperature differences and correct for body heat using resistance values, allowing accurate air temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the temperature sensor is enclosed inside the electronic device, then waterproof properties and design are improved, but body heat affects the measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the temperature sensing function into multiple sensors positioned at different locations (first temperature sensor near the contact surface, second temperature sensor farther away). This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between body heat and ambient air temperature by comparing readings from multiple points, thereby maintaining measurement precision while keeping the sensor enclosed for waterproofing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermally conductive materials as intermediaries between the temperature sensors and the device housing. These materials with specific thermal conductivity values create a controlled thermal path that allows the sensors to detect temperature gradients caused by body heat while still being protected inside the waterproof device. The intermediary layer helps separate the harmful thermal influence from the measurement function.
2Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is enclosed inside the electronic device, then design is improved, but body heat is reflected in the measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The design uses multiple temperature sensors at different positions within the device housing to segment the thermal measurement function. By placing sensors at different distances from the contact surface and using thermally conductive materials with specific properties, the system can mathematically separate body heat effects from ambient temperature, achieving accurate measurements while maintaining a compact embedded design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by selecting materials with specific thermal conductivity values and positioning sensors at specific distances from the contact surface. These parameter changes create a controlled thermal environment that allows the embedded sensors to distinguish between body heat and ambient air temperature, resolving the contradiction between design integration and measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to offset body heat effect, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement function into multiple sensors with different positions and thermal coupling characteristics. This segmentation enables the system to capture temperature gradients and mathematically eliminate body heat effects. While this does increase component count, the segmented approach provides a systematic method for achieving high accuracy that would be impossible with a single sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple temperature sensors serve multiple functions: they simultaneously measure the temperature gradient caused by body heat and determine the ambient air temperature. By processing the differential readings from the sensors, the system achieves both body heat compensation and accurate air temperature measurement, making the sensor array multi-functional and justifying the increased complexity.
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 method improves the accuracy of air temperature estimation by offsetting the effect of body heat and heat generated from the device's components, providing precise air temperature readings.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor which are provided inside the main body, wherein the second temperature sensor is disposed closer to the first surface of the main body than the first temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
a first thermally conductive material directly disposed on the first temperature sensor, to face the second temperature sensor, with a gap between the first thermally conductive material and the second temperature sensor; and a second thermally conductive material directly disposed on the second temperature sensor to face the first surface of the main body
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a main body including a first surface and a second surface; a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor which are provided inside the main body, wherein the second temperature sensor is disposed closer to the surface of the main body than the first temperature sensor; and a processor, which while the second surface of the main body is in contact with a body part of a user, is configured to estimate a heat flux that is generated by body heat, of the user based on a difference between a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor, and measure air temperature based on the estimated heat flux and the second temperature.