Sensor Thermal Regulation With Bias Compensation Across Temperature Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sensor measurements can be biased by temperature changes, leading to accuracy issues, and existing solutions often require recalibration or limited temperature ranges, necessitating frequent manufacturer intervention.

Innovation Solution

A thermal regulation system with temperature adjusting devices integrated into the sensor, using a common substrate and a filler with high thermal conductivity to maintain stable operation, allowing for precise temperature control and bias error correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If calibration is conducted to determine relationship between sensor bias and temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but calibration drifts over time requiring frequent manufacturer recalibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime for recalibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system performs self-calibration by integrating a temperature sensor and processor that automatically determine the relationship between sensor bias and operating temperature, eliminating the need for external manufacturer recalibration. The system independently maintains calibration accuracy through onboard temperature compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor operating temperature using a temperature sensor and automatically adjusts bias compensation based on the measured temperature, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains measurement accuracy without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensor operates over wide temperature range, then adaptability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to temperature bias

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature rangeVSAvoidsensor measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operating parameter (temperature) by using temperature adjusting devices to maintain the sensor at a predetermined optimal temperature, allowing the sensor to operate accurately across a wide range of environmental conditions through active thermal regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces passive mechanical temperature compensation with active electronic temperature control using heating/cooling devices and electronic bias correction algorithms, enabling precise temperature management and accuracy maintenance across extended temperature ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If temperature adjusting devices are added to regulate sensor temperature, then measurement stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor operation stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the temperature adjusting device, temperature sensor, and processing functions into an integrated thermal regulation system that controls sensor temperature and compensates for bias errors, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature adjusting device serves multiple functions: it regulates sensor temperature to maintain operational stability, enables extended temperature range operation, and works with the processing device to perform bias compensation, eliminating the need for separate compensation mechanisms.

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

4Use of energy by moving object

If filler with high thermal conductivity is used between sensor and temperature adjusting device, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the thermal parameter of the interface material by using filler material with high thermal conductivity between the sensor and temperature adjusting device, optimizing heat transfer efficiency while the processing device automatically compensates for any manufacturing variations in the thermal interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables continuous, accurate sensor measurements by actively regulating temperature and compensating for bias errors, reducing the need for frequent recalibration and extending the usable temperature range.

Implementation Method 1

a filler provided in a space between the sensor and at least one of the one or more temperature adjusting devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

configured to adjust a temperature of the sensor from an initial temperature to a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

at least one of the one or more temperature adjusting devices may be a heater or a cooling device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3578507B1Systems and methods for thermally regulating sensor operation
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3578507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3578507B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP3578507B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a method of regulating a temperature of a sensor, the method comprising:sensing an initial temperature of the sensor with a temperature sensor;providing a thermal stimulus from one or more temperature adjusting devices in thermal communication with the sensor, and configured to adjust a temperature of the sensor from the initial temperature to a predetermined temperature at a rate of temperature change that meets or exceeds a threshold value, and determining when the initial temperature of the sensor falls outside of a predetermined temperature range, wherein a filler is provided in a space between the sensor and at least one of the one or more temperature adjusting devices. The invention also provides a corresponding thermal regulation system.