Multifunctional Sensor Linear Element Spacing Thermal Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors mounted in electronic devices face challenges in wearable devices and other scenarios due to complex heat conduction paths and thermal pollution, leading to reduced measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional sensor with a substrate and a sensitive layer that integrates multiple sensitive elements, each responsive to different ambient signals like temperature, humidity, and pressure, arranged in linear structures at equal spacings to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sensors are mounted in an electronic device to avoid noise interference, then device integration is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to complex heat conduction paths and thermal pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the internal mounting location and placed on the external surface of the electronic device. This separation removes the sensor from the complex thermal environment inside the device, eliminating the heat conduction path through multiple media (skin→stainless steel→FPC→sensor) and reducing thermal pollution from internal components like batteries, thereby improving measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The external surface of the electronic device serves as an intermediary platform for mounting the sensor. This intermediary location provides direct contact with the measurement target (e.g., skin) while being thermally isolated from internal heat sources, acting as a buffer that enables accurate sensing without requiring the sensor to be embedded in the device
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensitive elements are integrated in a multifunctional sensor, then sensing capability is improved, but element consistency deteriorates due to spacing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each sensitive element have a uniform width along its length, and by ensuring equal spacing between adjacent elements. This local uniformity in geometry and spacing guarantees that each element experiences identical thermal and environmental conditions, maintaining consistency in their sensing characteristics despite having different sensitivity responses to various stimuli
3Manufacturing precision
If sensitive elements are arranged at equal spacings to ensure consistency, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs homogeneity by arranging all sensitive elements with equal spacing and uniform dimensions. This homogeneous geometric configuration simplifies the manufacturing process and structural design, as it allows for standardized fabrication techniques and reduces the complexity of alignment and positioning, while still enabling multifunctional sensing capabilities
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 multifunctional sensor enables simultaneous accurate measurement of multiple ambient signals by removing noise interference and ensuring consistent sensitivity across different elements, thereby improving measurement accuracy and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conduction path is as follows: skin→stainless steel→flexible printed circuit (flexible printed circuit, FPC)→temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional sensor includes a substrate and a sensitive layer located on the substrate. The sensitive layer includes at least two different sensitive elements (1, 2, . . . , n) for responding to at least two different types of ambient signals. The sensitive elements (1, 2, . . . , n) are in linear structures, and the linear structures are arranged at equal spacings. The sensitive layer further includes at least two electrode pairs for connecting to a readout circuit. One electrode pair corresponds to one sensitive element (1, 2, . . . , n). The readout circuit is configured to obtain measured values respectively corresponding to the at least two different sensitive elements (1, 2, . . . , n). Different types of sensitive elements (1, 2, . . . , n) are designed as linear structures at equal spacings to ensure consistency of the different sensitive elements (1, 2, . . . , n) in a sensing region.