Micro-Pump Temperature Probe Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-pumps lack precise measurement capabilities for fluid temperature and flow rate while maintaining simplicity in manufacture, and existing measurement systems are not efficient due to thermal conductivity issues and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A micro-pump design incorporating a thermally insulating material housed in a box within the substrate, allowing for precise temperature measurement without a suspended membrane, and using conventional mass production methods to simplify assembly and manufacturing, including the use of silicon substrates with good thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature probe is placed directly on the substrate, then the manufacturing is simple, but the thermal conductivity of the substrate causes poor measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
A box filled with thermally insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the temperature probe and the substrate. This mediator blocks the harmful thermal conduction path to the substrate while allowing the probe to remain in contact with the fluid for accurate measurement, without requiring a complex suspended membrane structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The box is positioned locally at the measurement point on the substrate, providing thermal insulation only where needed for the temperature probe. This localized approach maintains simplicity elsewhere in the device while improving measurement precision at the critical location.
2Measurement precision
If a suspended membrane is used to insulate the temperature probe, then thermal insulation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The box filled with thermally insulating material serves as a stationary intermediary structure that provides effective thermal insulation without requiring the complex suspended membrane design. This mediator can be easily integrated into the substrate during manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic thermal conduction path through the substrate is effectively 'taken out' or removed by introducing the insulating box. This extraction of the harmful thermal path achieves good insulation performance while maintaining a simple, manufacturable structure.
3Measurement precision
If the box outer face is not flush with the substrate, then thermal insulation is improved, but electrical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer face of the box is made flush with the substrate surface, creating a planar, equipotential interface that simplifies electrical connections. This alignment eliminates the need for complex wiring arrangements that would be required if the box protruded or was recessed, while still providing adequate thermal insulation.
4Measurement precision
If multiple substrates are used for the measurement assembly, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The box, temperature probe, and substrate are merged into a single integrated assembly rather than using multiple separate substrates. This combination maintains measurement precision while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides the structural base, contains the fluid channel, and supports the temperature probe assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate substrates for each component, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 provides high precision in temperature and flow rate measurements, maintains simplicity in manufacturing, and facilitates easy electrical connection, while reducing thermal interference and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a box (66) filled with a thermally insulating material (72), and a temperature probe (68) placed on the outer face (74) of the box
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~11
Figure 12~17
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump comprising: a first substrate, at least one channel formed in a face of the first substrate, a second substrate (6) having a face mounted on the face of the first substrate, and an assembly (64) for measuring the temperature or the flow of a pumped fluid, said assembly comprising: inside one of the substrates (6), a compartment (66) entirely filled with a thermally insulating solid material (72) having an outer face (74) flush with the inside of the tube or the chamber; and a temperature probe (68, 69) arranged above the compartment, on the outer face of the insulating material, in order to thermally insulate said probe from the substrate.