Liquid Lens Temperature Sensor External Substrate Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid lenses face challenges in accurately controlling temperature due to limited space for temperature sensors, leading to electrical leakage and low reliability, making it difficult to stabilize the lens and compensate for thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
A liquid lens apparatus with a heat sensor formed lithographically on the exterior surface of a substrate, isolated from the heating device, capable of detecting temperature changes as small as 0.1-degree centigrade, and made of materials with a temperature coefficient of resistance between 1.0 and 6.0, allowing for effective thermal expansion control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed inside the liquid lens cavity, then temperature feedback can be obtained, but electrical leakage and low reliability occur due to proximity to liquids and limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the internal cavity environment and relocated to the external surface of the first substrate. This extraction removes the sensor from the harmful electrical environment inside the cavity while maintaining its temperature measurement function through thermal conduction through the substrate material.
Solution Approach 2:
The first substrate acts as an intermediary medium that thermally couples the external temperature sensor to the internal liquid lens environment. The substrate conducts heat from the liquids to the sensor mounted on its external surface, enabling indirect temperature measurement without direct sensor-liquid contact.
2Temperature
If heating devices are integrated into the liquid lens, then thermal control is achieved, but thermal expansion compensation becomes difficult due to limited space and sensor interference
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the heating device remains integrated within the cavity for active thermal control, while the temperature sensor is separated and mounted externally on the substrate surface. This segmentation eliminates spatial interference and allows independent optimization of both heating and sensing functions.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed close to liquids for accurate measurement, then temperature feedback is improved, but electrical leakage occurs reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the liquid environment and relocated to the external substrate surface, eliminating direct contact with conductive liquids and preventing electrical leakage while maintaining measurement accuracy through thermal conduction through the substrate.
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 precise temperature control and compensation for thermal expansion, improving the reliability and stability of the liquid lens apparatus by isolating the heat sensor from electrical components and using sensitive materials for accurate temperature detection.
Implementation Method 1
made of materials with a temperature coefficient of resistance between 1.0 and 6.0, allowing for effective thermal expansion control
Implementation Method 2
configured to detect a temperature of the liquid lens apparatus to enable compensation for thermal expansion of the liquid lens apparatus resulting from changes in the temperature of the liquid lens apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid lens apparatus includes a first substrate and a sensor. The first substrate has first and second opposing surfaces, a central portion, and a peripheral portion outside of the central portion. The sensor is formed lithographically on either the first or second surfaces of the peripheral portion of the first substrate such that the sensor is on an exterior surface of the liquid lens apparatus. The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the liquid lens apparatus to enable compensation for thermal expansion or contraction of the liquid lens apparatus resulting from changes in temperature of the liquid lens apparatus.