Resin Thermal Flow Meter with Bonded Sensor Substrate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal flow meters with glass flow passages have poor corrosion resistance to alkaline liquids and are prone to thermal deformation, which affects measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A thermal flow meter design featuring a resin measurement tube with a temperature detecting substrate and a reinforcing plate, bonded with adhesive, where the temperature detecting substrate and reinforcing plate are arranged along the axis with the internal flow passage interposed between them, to manage thermal stresses and enhance corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a glass flow passage is used, then thermal deformation resistance is improved, but corrosion resistance to alkaline liquids deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal deformation resistanceVSAvoidcorrosion resistance to alkaline liquids
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining glass substrate (for thermal stability) with resin coating layers (for corrosion resistance). The glass substrate provides dimensional stability during heating, while the resin layers protect against alkaline liquid corrosion, resolving the contradiction between thermal deformation resistance and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a resin measurement tube is used, then corrosion resistance to alkaline liquids is improved, but thermal deformation resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistance to alkaline liquidsVSAvoidthermal deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement tube uses a composite structure with resin as the base material (providing corrosion resistance) and glass substrate with thermal conduction layers (providing thermal stability). This composite approach allows the resin to contact alkaline liquids while the glass-resin interface manages thermal stresses, preventing deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces thermal conduction layers with specific thermal expansion coefficients between the resin and glass substrate. By carefully selecting materials with matched thermal expansion parameters, the composite structure accommodates thermal stresses during heating without causing resin deformation or delamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If temperature detecting substrate is bonded to measurement tube, then temperature detection function is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to thermal deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection functionVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces thermal conduction layers as intermediary elements between the temperature detecting substrate and the measurement tube. These intermediate layers act as stress buffers that decouple the thermal expansion differences between materials, preventing distortion of the temperature detecting substrate while maintaining effective thermal contact for accurate measurement.

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

The design maintains measurement accuracy during heating and improves corrosion resistance to alkaline liquids by evenly distributing thermal stresses and reducing adhesive usage.

Implementation Method 1

a heating resistance element and a temperature detecting resistance element configured to detect a temperature of the liquid heated by the heating resistance element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature detecting resistance element configured to detect a temperature of the liquid heated by the heating resistance element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive temperature detection: Thermistor

Implementation Method 3

the detection surface of the temperature detecting substrate is bonded with an adhesive to the measurement tube along the axis, and the reinforcing plate is bonded with the adhesive to the measurement tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3059558B1Thermal flow meter and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 SURPASS IND
  • EP3059558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3059558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3059558B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a thermal flow meter including a measurement tube 11 made of resin having an inlet 11a and an outlet 11b, and an internal flow passage 10c extending along an axis X, a sensor substrate 12 having a heating resistance wire and temperature detecting resistance wires formed on a detection surface 12d along the axis X, and a reinforcing plate 13. The sensor substrate 12 is bonded to the measurement tube 11 along the axis X with an adhesive, and the reinforcing plate 13 is bonded to the measurement tube 11 along the axis X with the adhesive with the internal flow passage 10c interposed between the sensor substrate 12 and the reinforcing plate 13.