Plate-Spring Temperature Sensor for Heat Insulation and Fast Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a demand for a temperature sensor that provides heat insulation, pressing force to a temperature measurement object, and good responsiveness without using ceramic paper.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor is designed with a thermosensitive element, a heat collection member in the form of a plate spring that pressurizes and thermally couples with the measurement object, and a holding member that supports the heat collection member to form a space facing it, enhancing heat transfer and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ceramic paper is used for heat insulation and pressing, then heat insulation property and pressing force are achieved, but responsiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat insulation propertyVSAvoidresponsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes ceramic paper from the temperature sensor structure and replaces it with a plate spring that performs both pressing and heat conduction functions, eliminating the need for separate heat insulation materials and improving thermal response speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides pressing force against the temperature measurement object, conducts heat to the thermosensitive element, and acts as a mechanical support structure, replacing the separate ceramic paper heat insulation layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Force

If ceramic paper is used to maintain abutting state, then pressing force is provided, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing forceVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from ceramic paper (insulating material) to plate spring (conductive material), fundamentally altering the thermal conduction characteristic while maintaining the pressing force function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plate spring is made of a material that combines mechanical elasticity for pressing with high thermal conductivity for heat transfer, creating a composite functional material that replaces the separate insulating ceramic paper layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If ceramic paper is used for heat insulation, then thermal isolation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat insulationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat insulation function and pressing function into a single plate spring component, eliminating the need for separate ceramic paper heat insulation layers and simplifying the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate spring performs multiple functions (pressing, heat conduction, structural support) that were previously distributed across separate components, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying the device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 sensor achieves quick responsiveness to temperature fluctuations by efficiently transferring heat from the measurement object to the thermosensitive element, maintaining heat within the element, and providing insulation, thus matching or exceeding the responsiveness of ceramic paper without its use.

Implementation Method 1

a plate spring (30) as a heat collection member that pressurizes the temperature measurement object (7) and that is thermally coupled with the thermosensitive element (11)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a holding member (20) that supports the plate spring (30) and forms a space (20S) that faces the plate spring (30)... the heat collection member be a plate spring... the main body portion be pressurized to the temperature measurement object side by elastic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12416531B2Temperature sensor, temperature detection device and image formation device

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 SHIBAURA ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A temperature sensor that sufficiently has heat insulation property and the pressing force to a temperature measurement object to a degree allowing a ceramic paper to be substituted, and that has a good responsiveness, and a temperature detection device and an image formation device that include the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is disposed so as to maintain an abutting state with a temperature measurement object, the temperature sensor including: a thermosensitive element configured to detect the temperature of the temperature measurement object; a heat collection member configured to pressurize the temperature measurement object and to be thermally coupled with the thermosensitive element; and a holding member supporting the heat collection member and forming a space that faces the heat collection member.