Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor With Force-Isolating Protective Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensors for battery cells in electric vehicles face challenges in differentiating between temperature-induced deformations and those caused by external forces, leading to potential incorrect measurements, especially in live components where metallic or electrically conductive elements increase the risk of short circuits.
Innovation Solution
An optically operating temperature sensor is designed with glass fiber conductors and optical elements arranged with a rigid, electrically insulating protective element that absorbs external forces, ensuring only temperature-induced deformations are measured, using materials like ceramic, glass, or plastics with high thermal conductivity and similar thermal expansion coefficients to the glass fiber conductors, and connected via adhesives or glass solder for enhanced heat transfer and mechanical decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic or electrically conductive temperature sensors are used, then temperature measurement is possible, but the risk of short circuits increases in live components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically conductive temperature sensors with an optically operating temperature sensor that uses glass fiber conductors instead of metallic conductors. This substitution eliminates electrical contact with live components, preventing short circuits while maintaining temperature measurement capability through optical methods.
2Reliability
If glass fiber conductors are used for temperature measurement, then electrical insulation is achieved, but deformations from external forces cause incorrect measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rigid protective element as an intermediary between external forces and the glass fiber conductor. This protective element absorbs and shields against external mechanical forces, preventing deformations of the glass fiber that would otherwise cause incorrect temperature measurements, while allowing thermal energy to reach the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element acts as a protective shell around the glass fiber conductor, providing mechanical protection against external forces while maintaining the optical and thermal functionality of the underlying sensor structure.
3Measurement precision
If the protective element is made rigid to absorb external forces, then measurement accuracy improves, but thermal conductivity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the protective element, specifically its material composition and geometric dimensions, to achieve a balance between mechanical rigidity and thermal conductivity. By carefully selecting materials and dimensions, the protective element provides sufficient rigidity to protect against external forces while maintaining adequate thermal conductivity for accurate temperature measurement.
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
This solution provides accurate and fast temperature measurement in electrically conductive components by isolating the glass fiber conductors from external forces, preventing short circuits and ensuring precise temperature detection across a wide temperature range, from -35°C to 700°C, while maintaining electrical insulation and unhindered heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
at least one glass fiber conductor for guiding light beams
Implementation Method 2
several optical elements arranged axially spaced apart from one another in the at least one glass fiber conductor for influencing of the light beams
Implementation Method 3
such deformations can also occur when the glass fiber conductors change their length due to a change in temperature as a result of their coefficient of thermal expansion
Implementation Method 4
The protective element advantageously consists of a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 0.1 watt per meter and Kelvin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an optically operating temperature sensor (10), with at least one optical fiber (11 to 13) for guiding light rays, with several optical elements (21, 22) arranged axially apart from each other in the at least one optical fiber (11 to 13) for influencing the light rays that can be introduced into the at least one optical fiber (11 to 13), wherein the optical elements (21, 22) and the at least one optical fiber (11 to 13) between the optical elements (21, 22) together with a protective element (30) form an assembly (31).