Elastomer Resonator Temperature Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature measurement systems for elastomer products face challenges such as high flexural rigidity, electrical connection issues, and interference from dust and abrasion, making it difficult to accurately and reliably measure core temperatures without contact.

Innovation Solution

A system incorporating an elastomeric resonator made of electrically conductive material embedded within the elastomer product, which interacts with an electromagnetic alternating field generated by a transceiver, allowing for non-contact temperature determination based on changes in the resonant frequency of the field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical temperature sensors are used, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but the sensors exhibit high flexural stiffness and require electrical connections that cannot be maintained during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoidflexural stiffness and electrical connection maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical temperature sensors with a resonant frequency-based measurement system using an elastomer resonator. The resonator's natural frequency changes with temperature, allowing temperature measurement through electromagnetic field interaction rather than electrical contacts. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical connections and reduces mechanical stiffness issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an elastomer resonator as an intermediary element embedded in the elastomer product. This resonator couples the temperature field to the electromagnetic field, allowing indirect temperature measurement through frequency shifts. The resonator acts as a mediator that translates temperature changes into measurable electromagnetic signal changes without requiring direct electrical contact with the product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If infrared temperature measurement devices are used, then contactless temperature measurement is achieved, but dust and abrasion on the rubber product distort the measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontactless measurement capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy affected by dust and abrasion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the elastomer resonator directly inside the elastomer product, nesting the measurement element within the measured object. This internal placement allows the resonator to measure the core temperature from within, unaffected by external factors like dust and abrasion on the surface. The resonator is surrounded by the elastomer material, ensuring it measures the internal temperature rather than being influenced by surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If an elastomer resonator embedded in the elastomer material is used, then contactless and disturbance-resistant core temperature measurement is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure with embedded resonator and transceiver
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomer resonator serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the elastomer product and a temperature sensing element. The resonator's dual role as both part of the product structure and the measurement mechanism reduces the need for separate sensing components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving accurate temperature measurement.

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

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

Enables precise, robust, and disturbance-resistant core temperature measurement of elastomer products, unaffected by external factors like dust and mechanical deformation, without the need for electrical connections, ensuring the temperature remains within a predetermined range.

Implementation Method 1

The elastomer resonator is configured to cause a change in the alternating field as a function of the temperature of the elastomer resonator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature-dependent resonant frequency shift: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The elastomer resonator is configured to be coupled to the alternating field, such that the elastomer resonator interacts with the alternating field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The transceiver is configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

The transceiver is designed to detect the alternating field and generate a measurement signal representing the alternating field and/or its changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3671152B1System to evaluate the temperature of an elastomer
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 CONTITECH AG
  • EP3671152B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3671152B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (2) for determining the temperature of an elastomer product (4), wherein the system (2) comprises: an elastomer product (4) with a first elastomer material (6) and an elastomer resonator (8) embedded in the first elastomer material (6), a transceiver (10), and an evaluation unit (12) coupled to the transceiver (10), wherein the elastomer resonator (8) is formed from a strip of a second, electrically conductive elastomer material, wherein the transceiver (10) is configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field (16), wherein the elastomer resonator (8) is configured to be coupled into the alternating field (16) so that the elastomer resonator (8) interacts with the alternating field (16), and wherein the elastomer resonator (8) is configured to detect a change in the alternating field (16) as a function of a temperature T of the elastomer resonator. (8) to effect,wherein the transceiver (10) is configured to detect the alternating field (16) and to generate a measurement signal representing the alternating field (16) and/or the change in the alternating field (16), and wherein the evaluation unit (12) is configured to determine the temperature of the elastomer product (4) based on the measurement signal.