Temperature Sensor Heat Insulation Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature sensor structures are complex due to the need for a biasing mechanism to prevent heat dissipation, which complicates the configuration and degrades detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor with a simpler configuration is achieved by placing a heat insulating section between the temperature sensor element and the retaining portion, using a heat insulating member made of foam polystyrene and air gaps to minimize heat dissipation, allowing for improved thermal responsivity without a biasing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a biasing mechanism (sealing member) is used to prevent heat dissipation from the temperature sensor element, then heat dissipation is reduced and temperature sensing performance is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing performanceVSAvoidsensor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heat dissipation problem to a specific location (the rear end of the temperature sensor element) and applies a targeted solution (heat insulating material) only where needed, rather than using a complex biasing mechanism throughout the entire sensor structure. This resolves the contradiction by preventing heat dissipation without adding unnecessary structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces heat insulating material as an intermediary substance between the temperature sensor element and the surrounding environment. This intermediary prevents heat dissipation from the rear end of the sensor element without requiring mechanical biasing structures, thus improving temperature sensing performance while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If heat insulating material is added to prevent heat dissipation, then temperature detection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heat insulation function to only the rear end portion of the temperature sensor element, rather than insulating the entire sensor structure. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing by applying heat insulating material only where it is most needed, improving temperature detection accuracy without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive heat insulating material (such as foam or air gaps) that can be easily applied and does not require complex assembly or special handling. This approach improves temperature detection accuracy while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the heat insulating material can be added during standard manufacturing processes without requiring additional complex steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 results in higher temperature sensing performance with reduced heat dissipation, enabling more accurate and prompt temperature measurements with a simpler structure.

Implementation Method 1

a heat insulating section 30...disposable between the temperature sensor element 11 and the retaining portion 22c...the structure in which heat is less dissipated from the temperature sensor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3376190B1Temperature sensor and position sensing device
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP3376190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376190B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3376190B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide a temperature sensor having higher temperature sensing performance with a simpler configuration, and a position detection device including the temperature sensor. [Solution] In a temperature sensor 10 including a case 20 that includes a body portion 21 and a tubular portion 22 projecting outward from the body portion 21, the tubular portion 22 being formed in a tubular shape closed at a side defining a tip 22a, a temperature sensor element 11 arranged within the tubular portion 22 at the tip 22a, and a wire member 14 connected to the temperature sensor element 11, the temperature sensor 10 further includes a retaining portion 22c disposed within the tubular portion 22 at a position closer to the body portion 21 than the temperature sensor element 11, the retaining portion 22c being filled with a retaining material 25 to support the wire member 14, and a heat insulating section 30 is disposed between the temperature sensor element 11 and the retaining portion 22c, the heat insulating section 30 including a heat insulating member 31 made of a less heat-transferable material than the retaining material 25.