Double-Walled Sensor Housing for Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensor devices face challenges in providing reliable and cost-effective thermal insulation from the environment while withstanding mechanical shocks and vibrations, as traditional insulation methods deteriorate quickly due to aging effects such as vibration, thermal influences, and humidity.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor device with a housing comprising multiple concentric shells made of metal materials, which acts as a thermal convection and radiation barrier, providing mechanical and chemical protection without additional insulation materials, and can be manufactured using 3D metal printing or injection molding for a compact and robust design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional insulation means (insulation sleeves) are used, then thermal insulation is provided, but the device becomes bulky and subject to severe deterioration by aging effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing structure with the thermal insulation function by creating a double-walled housing where the space between walls serves as the insulation layer. This eliminates the need for separate insulation sleeves and integrates insulation directly into the housing design, reducing overall complexity while maintaining insulation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure with an inner wall and outer wall of the housing, where the insulation layer is nested between these walls. This nested configuration allows the insulation function to be embedded within the housing structure itself, avoiding additional external insulation components that would increase bulk and complexity.
2Reliability
If additional insulation materials are added, then thermal insulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing structure with the insulation function by using the space between the inner and outer walls as the insulation layer. This eliminates the need for separate insulation materials and integrates the insulation function directly into the housing design, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, chemical resistance, and thermal insulation. The double-walled design allows the same structural component to fulfill both protective and insulatory roles, eliminating the need for additional specialized insulation materials and reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If organic insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation is provided, but deterioration occurs due to vibration, thermal influences, solar radiation, and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from organic insulation materials to inorganic materials (metal or ceramic) for the housing walls. This parameter change eliminates the deterioration issues associated with organic materials while maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness, as the inorganic materials are resistant to vibration, thermal influences, solar radiation, and humidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with an inner wall and outer wall made of metal or ceramic materials, creating a composite housing structure that provides both mechanical strength and thermal insulation. This composite approach replaces organic insulation materials with inorganic materials that have superior durability and resistance to environmental degradation.
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 device achieves long-term reliable temperature measurements with reduced environmental temperature influence, operating across a wide temperature range (-200 °C to 1000 °C) and in harsh environments, without the need for additional insulation, ensuring accurate and durable performance.
Implementation Method 1
The housing or parts of the same is/are configured for thermally insulating the measuring cavity / temperature sensor element / measuring surface from an environment of the object
Implementation Method 2
A temperature sensor device with a housing comprising multiple concentric shells made of metal materials, which acts as a thermal convection and radiation barrier
Implementation Method 3
A temperature sensor device with a housing comprising multiple concentric shells made of metal materials, which acts as a thermal convection and radiation barrier
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a temperature sensor device (10) for sensing the temperature of a surface (8) of an object, the temperature sensor device (10) comprising a temperature sensor element (30), in particular, being or comprising a thermistor, a housing (20) and a measuring surface (7) configured for contacting the surface (8) of the object. The housing (20) comprises an outer shell (1) and an inner shell (2) and an outer cavity (3) formed between the outer shell (1) and the inner shell (2) that are configured for thermally insulating the measuring cavity (6) and the measuring surface (7) from an environment of the object.