Radiant Heat Sensor Plate-Shaped Contact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing radiant heat sensor with a thermoelectric conversion element has low detection sensitivity due to small heat-receiving areas of the hot and cold contact portions, resulting in a small temperature difference and electrical output.
Innovation Solution
A radiant heat sensor design featuring a plate-shaped member with alternately arrayed first and second thermoelectric members, connected by conductor patterns that act as hot and cold contact portions, increasing the heat-receiving areas and temperature difference for enhanced detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the hot contact portion and cold contact portion are made with linear shape in direct contact, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat-receiving area becomes small resulting in low detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear contact portions to plate-shaped contact portions, effectively changing from one-dimensional to two-dimensional heat receiving surfaces. This dimensional expansion significantly increases the heat-receiving area while maintaining the alternating array structure, thereby improving detection sensitivity without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the contact portions and conductor patterns into a unified plate-shaped structure where the conductor patterns serve dual functions as both electrical conductors and heat-receiving surfaces. This merging of functions increases the effective heat-receiving area while reducing the number of separate components
2Measurement precision
If the thermoelectric members are alternately connected in series with direct contact, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the temperature difference between hot and cold contact portions becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plate-shaped contact portions instead of linear contacts, creating larger thermal zones that can maintain greater temperature differences. The extended surface area allows for better thermal isolation between hot and cold regions while still enabling series connection of thermoelectric members
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor patterns serve as intermediary elements that facilitate both electrical connection and thermal management. By designing these patterns with specific geometries, the patent enables series connection while controlling heat flow paths to maintain temperature differences
3Power
If the contact portions have small heat-receiving area, then the device structure remains simple, but the electrical output becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands from linear to plate-shaped contact portions, increasing the heat-receiving area from one-dimensional to two-dimensional. This dimensional change directly increases the electrical output by providing larger thermal zones for heat absorption while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the plate-shaped member into multiple alternating regions (heat-receiving plates and reflective plates) that correspond to hot and cold contact portions. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while collectively increasing the total electrical output through multiple contributing elements
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 design significantly improves detection sensitivity by increasing the temperature difference between the hot and cold contact portions, leading to a higher electrical output and improved performance in detecting radiant heat.
Implementation Method 1
the first thermoelectric member J31 and the second thermoelectric member J32 generate electrical output based on the temperature difference
Implementation Method 2
The heat-receiving plate 51 absorbs radiant heat and generates heat
Implementation Method 3
The reflective plate 52 reflects radiant heat
Data Source
AI summary
In a radiant heat sensor, first and second thermoelectric members are alternately arrayed one by one in a direction along a first surface of a plate-shaped member so as to be separated from each other, and each of the first and second thermoelectric members configure a portion of the first surface. First conductor patterns extend the first surface, disposed on the first surface so as to span a single first thermoelectric member and a single second thermoelectric member that are adjacent to each other, and configure hot contact portions between the first and second thermoelectric members. Second conductor patterns extend along the first surface, disposed on the first surface so as to span a single first thermoelectric member and a single second thermoelectric member that are adjacent to each other, and configure cold contact portions between the first and second thermoelectric members.