Grounded Temperature Sensor Assembly for Small-Object Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature sensors face challenges in accurately measuring small objects due to difficulty in mounting and grounding, leading to complex and costly designs with inefficient heat conduction and potential electrical interference.

Innovation Solution

A compact temperature measuring assembly with a thermally conductive body, including a tubular portion, protruding portion, and ground flange, integrated or assembled for secure mounting and grounding, utilizing an insulating thermally conductive material to enhance heat conduction and prevent electrical interference, along with a transmission line for signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional temperature sensor probe is used to measure small objects, then the temperature measurement function is provided, but the mounting difficulty and grounding complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidmounting and grounding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temperature measuring element, thermally conductive body, and ground flange into an integrated assembly. The ground flange is directly formed as part of the thermally conductive body structure, merging the thermal conduction function and grounding function into a single component, thereby simplifying mounting and grounding operations while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermally conductive body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conducts heat from the object to the temperature measuring element, provides a ground connection through the ground flange, and acts as a mounting structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device complexity

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

2Ease of operation

If the temperature measuring assembly is simplified for small objects, then mounting becomes easier, but heat conduction efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidheat conduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses different materials with optimized properties for different parts of the assembly. The thermally conductive body is made of material with high thermal conductivity to ensure efficient heat transfer, while the ground flange provides electrical grounding. This local optimization of material properties ensures both ease of mounting and heat conduction efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If integrated structure is used for temperature measuring assembly, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but electrical interference risk may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidelectrical interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an insulating material between the thermally conductive body and the temperature measuring element. This insulating layer acts as an intermediary that provides electrical isolation to prevent interference while allowing thermal conduction, thus resolving the conflict between integrated manufacturing and electrical interference prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables accurate, cost-effective temperature measurement with reduced manufacturing complexity, improved heat conduction, and reliable grounding, achieving measurement accuracy with minimal error, suitable for various object sizes and types.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating thermally conductive material to enhance heat conduction and prevent electrical interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The temperature measuring element is configured to generate a measurement signal indicative of a temperature of an object to be measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

a ground flange located at the protruding portion and configured to connect with a ground terminal to ground the thermally conductive body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrounding: Earthing

Data Source

PatentEP4492022A1Temperature measuring assembly for temperature sensor
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4492022A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4492022A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4492022A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a temperature measuring assembly for a temperature sensor, a temperature sensor, and an electrical system. A temperature measuring assembly (100) for a temperature sensor comprises: a temperature measuring element (10) configured to generate a measurement signal indicative of a temperature of an object to be measured (1A, 1B); a thermally conductive body (20) configured to conduct heat of the object to be measured (1A, 1B) to the temperature measuring element (10), the thermally conductive body (20) comprising: a tubular portion (21) configured to receive the temperature measuring element (10); a protruding portion (22) extending from the tubular portion (21) and configured to abut against a surface of the object to be measured (1A, 1B); and a ground flange (23) located at the protruding portion (22) and configured to connect with a ground terminal (30) to ground the thermally conductive body (20). The temperature measuring assembly has advantages such as a compact structure, convenient use and low manufacturing cost.