Electromagnetic Wave Sensor Thermal Rotation Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic wave sensors face durability issues due to temperature-induced rotation, which can lead to malfunctions from contact with adjacent components during long-term use.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates electromagnetic wave absorbers with inclined sides and arm portions that act as fulcrums, preventing contact between adjacent absorbers by maintaining a gap even when temperature-induced rotation occurs, ensuring the sensor's durability and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electromagnetic wave detection elements are arranged in an array for two-dimensional temperature distribution detection, then the sensor can capture temperature distribution images, but the durability decreases due to temperature-induced rotation causing contact with adjacent members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwo-dimensional temperature distribution detection capabilityVSAvoiddurability during long-term use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic wave absorber is divided into multiple independent components: the absorber body, arm portions, and leg portions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while reducing the overall impact of thermal expansion and rotation on adjacent elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm portions are designed with asymmetric geometry relative to the absorber body, creating an uneven distribution of thermal stress and expansion. This asymmetric design prevents uniform rotation that would cause contact with adjacent members, thereby improving durability while maintaining the array configuration for two-dimensional detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the electromagnetic wave detection element rotates due to temperature rise, then the detection function is maintained, but contact with adjacent members occurs causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection function stabilityVSAvoidcontact-induced malfunction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The leg portions act as intermediary elements between the arm portions and the substrate. These intermediaries absorb and distribute thermal stress, preventing direct contact between the rotating electromagnetic wave detection element and adjacent members, thus eliminating the harmful contact effect while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates specific geometric parameters and material properties that change in response to temperature variations. By pre-designing these parameter changes (such as the inclination of sides and the configuration of arm portions), the system accommodates thermal expansion and rotation without causing contact with adjacent members.

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 configuration enhances the sensor's durability by preventing contact between absorbers, thus maintaining reliability and preventing malfunctions during temperature fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

incident infrared rays (electromagnetic waves) are absorbed by a temperature detection portion (a thermistor film or a thermopile portion) and materials around the temperature detection portion so that the temperature of this temperature detection portion varies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The electrical resistance of a thermistor film varies in accordance with a variance in temperature of the thermistor film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermistor effect: Thermistor

Implementation Method 3

there is an electromagnetic wave sensor using a thermopile. An electromotive force of a thermopile varies in accordance with a variance in temperature of the thermopile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermopile effect: Thermopile

Implementation Method 4

according to the Stefan-Boltzmann law, there is a correlation between the temperature of a measurement object and infrared rays (radiant heat) discharged from this measurement object due to heat radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStefan-Boltzmann law (thermal radiation): Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11898913B2Electromagnetic wave sensor

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 TDK CORP

AI summary

An electromagnetic wave sensor 1 has electromagnetic wave absorbers disposed side by side in first and second directions, temperature detection portions held by the respective electromagnetic wave absorbers and sets of two arm portions connected to each electromagnetic wave absorber at two connection portions. In a plan view, the arm portions have two first extending portions extending from the connection portions in directions of which components in the second direction are opposite to each other, and two second extending portions extending from the first extending portions in directions of which components in the first direction are opposite to each other. Four sides of a rectangle circumscribing each of the electromagnetic wave absorbers with a smallest area are inclined with respect to the first direction in directions in which each electromagnetic wave absorber is away from the second extending portions with the connection portions as fulcrums.