Electromagnetic Wave Sensor Arm Structure for Thermal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic wave sensors face a challenge in achieving high thermal insulation while maintaining mechanical strength in the arm portions connected to the thermistor elements, leading to compromised sensing accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A structure body is designed with arm portions that include a wiring layer connected to a temperature detection element, covered by protective layers made of lower thermal conductivity materials, where the wiring layer is positioned inward of the protective layers' end portions, enhancing thermal insulation and mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the arm portions are thinned to enhance thermal insulating performance, then thermal insulation is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulating performanceVSAvoidmechanical strength of arm portions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The arm portions are constructed as composite structures combining a wiring layer (metal material with high thermal conductivity) and protective layers (insulating material with low thermal conductivity). This composite structure allows the thin arm portions to maintain both thermal insulation performance and mechanical strength, as the insulating protective layers provide thermal barrier while the layered structure maintains structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the arm portions have different thermal conductivity properties. The protective layers covering the wiring layer are made of insulating material with lower thermal conductivity, creating local thermal insulation zones. This allows thermal insulation to be enhanced in critical areas without requiring uniform thinning of the entire arm structure, thereby maintaining mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the arm portions are thinned to enhance thermal insulating performance, then sensing accuracy is improved, but structural reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidstructural reliability of arm portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of wiring layer and insulating protective layers enables the arm portions to achieve both enhanced thermal insulation (improving sensing accuracy by reducing heat interference) and maintained structural reliability. The insulating material provides thermal isolation while the layered composite design ensures structural integrity even in thinned configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating protective layers act as intermediary elements between the wiring layer and the external environment. These protective layers provide thermal isolation to improve sensing accuracy while simultaneously serving as a protective barrier that maintains structural reliability of the thinned arm portions.

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 design ensures highly accurate sensing by maintaining thermal insulation and mechanical strength, allowing for precise temperature distribution detection in electromagnetic wave sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the protective layers are made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the wiring layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic wave absorber which covers at least a part of the temperature detection element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

infrared rays (electromagnetic waves) incident on the thermistor film are absorbed by the thermistor film or materials around the thermistor film so that the temperature of this thermistor film varies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

The electrical resistance of a thermistor film provided in a thermistor element varies in accordance with a variance in temperature of the thermistor film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermistor effect: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentUS12480817B2Structure body and electromagnetic wave sensor

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 TDK CORP

AI summary

A structure body includes: an electromagnetic wave detector; and a pair of arm portions that are positioned on both sides with the electromagnetic wave detector interposed therebetween. The electromagnetic wave detector includes a temperature detection element and an electromagnetic wave absorber which covers at least a part of the temperature detection element. Each of the arm portions includes a wiring layer which is in a line shape and electrically connected to the temperature detection element, and protective layers, a part of each of which is disposed on corresponding one of both sides of the wiring layer. The protective layers are made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the wiring layer. In a short direction of the protective layers in a plan view, the wiring layer is positioned on an inward side of both end portions of the protective layers in the short direction.