Flexible Temperature Sensing Tape for Electrical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional discrete temperature sensing elements are costly and space-intensive for large electrical devices with complex surface areas or multiple components, making it difficult to effectively monitor temperature variations and prevent overtemperature/overcurrent conditions.

Innovation Solution

A flexible temperature sensing tape with integrated variable resistance material and interdigitated electrodes on an electrically insulating substrate, allowing for distributed temperature measurement with reduced complexity and cost, connected by flexible conductors to a control element for automatic shutdown in case of overtemperature/overcurrent conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional discrete temperature sensing elements are used to monitor temperature at various locations, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but device cost and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost and space requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple discrete temperature sensing elements are merged into a single flexible tape structure with multiple sensing elements integrated on one substrate. This combining approach maintains the ability to measure temperatures at multiple locations while reducing the overall complexity, cost, and space requirements compared to using separate discrete sensing elements for each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple discrete temperature sensing elements are implemented in a single electrical device, then distributed temperature measurement is achieved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistributed temperature measurementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and installation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensing function is segmented into multiple individual sensing elements that are integrated on a single flexible tape substrate. Each sensing element can independently measure temperature at different locations, providing distributed temperature measurement capability. The segmented design allows for flexible configuration and easier manufacturing compared to implementing multiple separate discrete sensing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional temperature sensing devices are used, then temperature monitoring function is provided, but the device occupies excessive space and increases overall system cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring functionVSAvoidspace occupation and system cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensing elements are mounted on a flexible tape substrate that can be conformally attached to the surface of electrical devices. This thin film approach provides comprehensive temperature monitoring coverage across large surface areas or multiple components while occupying minimal space and reducing overall system cost compared to traditional bulky temperature sensing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 cost-effective and space-efficient temperature monitoring and protection of electrical devices by automatically preventing damage from overtemperature/overcurrent conditions through the use of a flexible, adhesive tape with integrated temperature sensing elements.

Implementation Method 1

a variable resistance material disposed within the gap and connecting the first electrode to the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVariable resistance material effect: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentUS11231331B2Temperature sensing tape

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 LITTELFUSE INC

AI summary

A temperature sensing tape including a flexible, electrically insulating substrate, a plurality of temperature sensing elements disposed on the substrate, each temperature sensing element including a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in a confronting, spaced-apart relationship to define a gap therebetween, and a variable resistance material disposed within the gap and connecting the first electrode to the second electrode, wherein the first electrode of at least one of the temperature sensing elements is connected to the second electrode of an adjacent temperature sensing element by a flexible electrical conductor.