Symmetric Sensor Mounting for Thermal and Pressure Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors and electronic devices face challenges in achieving stable characteristics due to issues with pressure maintenance and thermal influence, which affect the accuracy and reliability of sensor readings.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design featuring a housing with a sensor section and first fixing members arranged in n-rotational symmetry, where the sensor section includes a sensor base, support portion, movable portion, and fixed electrodes, with a first gap between the sensor base and movable portion, and first fixing members that maintain low pressure and suppress thermal influence by providing a stable vibration state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor section is fixed to the housing using conventional fixing methods, then the sensor structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sensor cannot maintain stable vibration state due to thermal influence and pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of sensor readingsVSAvoidcomplexity of fixing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric fixing members with different configurations (some with first fixing portions only, others with both first and second fixing portions) arranged in rotational symmetry. This asymmetric design within a symmetric framework allows the fixing structure to compensate for thermal expansion and pressure changes while maintaining stable vibration characteristics of the sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing members are segmented into multiple functional portions: first fixing portions that attach to the housing base, and second fixing portions that contact the sensor base. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each fixing portion's function, enabling the structure to maintain sensor stability while accommodating thermal and pressure variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the sensor base is rigidly fixed to the housing, then the manufacturing process is simple, but thermal influence affects the vibration state and measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of sensor readingsVSAvoidsimplicity of assembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the fixing structure have different properties: the first fixing portions are designed for secure attachment to the housing, while the second fixing portions are designed to contact the sensor base with appropriate compliance. This local differentiation allows the structure to maintain measurement precision by isolating the sensor from thermal and pressure-induced vibrations while keeping the manufacturing process simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional fixing structures are used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sensor cannot maintain low pressure environment and stable vibration state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of vibration stateVSAvoidcomplexity of fixing members
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they mechanically secure the sensor base to the housing, provide thermal isolation to maintain low pressure environment, and compensate for thermal expansion to maintain stable vibration state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, balancing reliability improvement with device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4397944A1Sensor and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4397944A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397944A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4397944A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a housing, a sensor section, and a plurality of first fixing members. The housing includes a housing base. The sensor section is surrounded by the housing. The sensor section includes a sensor base, a support portion fixed to the sensor base, a movable portion supported by the support portion, and a plurality of fixed electrodes fixed to the sensor base and facing the movable portion. A first gap is provided between the sensor base and the movable portion. The fixed electrodes are provided in n-rotational symmetry in a first plane perpendicular to a first direction from the sensor base to the support portion. The n is an integer of 2 or more. The plurality of first fixing members fix the sensor base to the housing base. The first fixing members are provided in the n-rotational symmetry in the first plane.