Patch Thermometer Using Phase-Change Polymer for Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors with conductive particles in polymer mixtures suffer from reproducibility issues and temperature deviations due to uncontrolled dispersion, leading to inaccurate resistance changes and reduced sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A patch type thermometer comprising a magnetic sensor, a phase-change polymer layer, and a magnet, where the polymer changes from a solid to a liquid phase, allowing for precise temperature measurement by detecting distance changes between the magnetic sensor and magnet, eliminating the need for conductive particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conductive particles are dispersed in a polymer mixture to create a temperature sensor, then temperature measurement capability is achieved, but reproducibility is lowered and temperature deviation occurs due to uncontrolled dispersion and coagulation of particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the conductive particles from the temperature sensor system. Instead of using a polymer mixture with dispersed conductive particles, the patent employs a single polymer that undergoes phase change from solid to liquid at specific temperatures. This eliminates the coagulation and dispersion control issues inherent in particle-based systems while maintaining temperature measurement capability through volume expansion detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the sensing material from a composite with variable particle distribution to a pure polymer with controlled phase transition properties. By utilizing the polymer's phase change temperature and volume expansion characteristics, the system achieves reproducible temperature measurement without the reliability issues of particle coagulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conductive particles are used in the temperature sensor, then temperature sensing function is provided, but coagulation of particles occurs leading to temperature deviation and reduced accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the conductive particles from the temperature sensor system. Instead of using a polymer mixture with dispersed conductive particles, the patent employs a single polymer that undergoes phase change from solid to liquid at specific temperatures. This eliminates the coagulation and dispersion control issues inherent in particle-based systems while maintaining temperature measurement capability through volume expansion detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of a single polymer material as the core sensing mechanism. The polymer transitions from solid to liquid phase at specific temperatures, causing predictable volume expansion that is detected by the magnetic sensor. This phase change mechanism provides accurate and reproducible temperature sensing without the coagulation problems of particle-based systems.
3Measurement precision
If a polymer mixture with conductive particles is used, then temperature measurement is possible, but the dispersion state cannot be precisely controlled leading to reproducibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the conductive particles from the temperature sensor system. Instead of using a polymer mixture with dispersed conductive particles, the patent employs a single polymer that undergoes phase change from solid to liquid at specific temperatures. This eliminates the coagulation and dispersion control issues inherent in particle-based systems while maintaining temperature measurement capability through volume expansion detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a homogeneous single polymer material instead of a heterogeneous polymer mixture with conductive particles. The uniform composition ensures consistent phase transition behavior and volume expansion characteristics, eliminating the manufacturing variability associated with controlling particle dispersion in composite materials.
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 and consistent temperature measurements without deviations, even after repeated use, by utilizing a single phase-change polymer that reversibly changes volume and shape, ensuring accurate temperature readings within the specified range.
Implementation Method 1
the 1st polymer in the 1st polymer layer can be phase-changed from a solid phase to a liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
the volume expansion is maximized. At this time, the distance between the conductive particles is changed due to the volume expansion over the temperature
Implementation Method 3
measuring the distance change between the magnetic sensor and the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a patch type thermometer containing a polymer that can be phase changed from a solid phase to a liquid phase. The patch type thermometer provided in an aspect of the present invention demonstrates high precision since it does not include conductive particles which have been a reason of disadvantage of the conventional temperature sensor, and has the effect of no temperature deviation in repeated temperature measurements because it is composed of such a single polymer material that is phase changed in a specific temperature range so that the polymer material can be reversibly changed in the volume and shape.