Peripheral Heat Sensor Layout for Thin Airflow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat sensors are thick due to the projection dimension of the heat detection unit, which increases the overall thickness and affects the appearance of installations.

Innovation Solution

The heat sensor is designed with heat detection units arranged in a peripheral region of the housing, allowing airflow to guide heat detection elements closer to the periphery, reducing the projection dimension and overall thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the heat detection unit is arranged in the center of the housing, then the heat sensor can effectively detect heat from vertical airflows, but the projection dimension and overall thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat detection effectivenessVSAvoidsensor thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (centered heat detection unit extending downward into the housing) to a horizontal arrangement (heat detection unit positioned at the peripheral region). This dimensional change allows the heat detection unit to be located at the periphery of the housing, reducing the projection dimension and overall thickness while maintaining effective heat detection capability through the airflow path design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the heat detection unit is positioned to extend into the housing, then heat detection capability is improved, but the overall thickness of the sensor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the heat detection unit downward into the housing from the top surface, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the heat detection unit at the peripheral region and having it extend toward the center. This inversion allows the heat detection unit to be located at the periphery, reducing the projection dimension and overall thickness while maintaining effective heat detection through the optimized airflow path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Length of stationary object

If the heat detection unit is arranged at the periphery, then the sensor thickness is reduced, but the detection of vertical airflow heat may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor thicknessVSAvoidvertical airflow heat detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the airflow path - that mediates between the peripheral heat detection unit and the vertical airflow. The airflow path is configured to guide vertical airflows toward the heat detection unit positioned at the periphery, ensuring that heat from vertical airflows is effectively delivered to the detection unit despite its peripheral location, thus maintaining detection reliability while achieving reduced thickness.

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

This configuration enables a thinner heat sensor capable of detecting heat from both vertical and horizontal airflows, maintaining functionality while reducing the sensor's thickness.

Implementation Method 1

a thermistor which is arranged outside of the housing body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermistor: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP3806057B1Heat sensor
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3806057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3806057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3806057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat sensor (1) includes: a housing (10) of a cylindrical shape having a bottom part (11); and a heat detection unit (30) configured to detect heat of gas, wherein the housing (10) has a first hole (21) and a second hole (22) from one side of which gas flows in and from another side of which the gas flows out. The heat detection unit (30) is arranged in a peripheral region (10b) different from a center (10a) of the housing (10) when the heat sensor (1) is viewed from a central axis (J1) of the housing (10).