Temperature Sensor Filler Flow Portion Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature sensors face slower temperature response when the gap between the case and the temperature detector element is small, preventing filler entry or detector element sinking, which hampers assembly and response speed.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor design featuring a closed-bottom tubular case with a filler flowing portion along the insertion direction of the temperature detector element, allowing a larger gap for filler movement and separation from the gap involved in temperature conduction, enabling faster temperature response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the gap between the case and the temperature detector element is made small, then the temperature response becomes faster, but the filler cannot enter the gap and the temperature response becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature response speedVSAvoidfiller insertion difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gap between the case and temperature detector element is segmented into two distinct regions: a filler flowing portion with larger gap for filler insertion, and a conduction portion with smaller gap for heat transfer. This segmentation allows both filler insertion and fast temperature response to be achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different gap sizes are provided at different locations along the temperature detector element. The filler flowing portion has a larger gap to facilitate filler insertion, while the conduction portion has a smaller gap to enable fast heat conduction. This local differentiation of gap quality resolves the contradiction between filler insertion and temperature response speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the gap between the case and the temperature detector element is made small, then the temperature response becomes faster, but the temperature detector element cannot sink into the filler and assembling becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature response speedVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gap is segmented into a filler flowing portion that provides space for the temperature detector element to sink into the filler during assembly, and a conduction portion with smaller gap for fast temperature response. This segmentation enables both easy assembly and fast response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filler flowing portion is designed in advance to provide sufficient space for the temperature detector element to sink into the filler during the assembly process. This preliminary design of the gap structure ensures that assembly can be completed before the filler is fully cured, after which the smaller conduction gap provides fast temperature response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the heat conductivity of the case and filler is increased to make the temperature response faster, then the temperature response improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature response speedVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing heat conductivity throughout the entire case and filler structure, the invention locally optimizes the gap dimensions to enhance heat conduction where it is most needed (in the conduction portion). This avoids the complexity of selecting and implementing high-conductivity materials throughout the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the gap (creating a filler flowing portion with larger gap and a conduction portion with smaller gap) to improve temperature response speed, rather than changing the material parameters (heat conductivity). This parameter change approach achieves faster response without increasing material complexity.

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 design facilitates filler entry and burial, achieving faster temperature response and improved assembly, while maintaining effective heat conductivity for quicker temperature measurement.

Implementation Method 1

increasing the heat conductivity of the case and the filler to make the temperature response faster

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8632245B2Temperature sensor

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MOBILITY CORP

AI summary

A temperature sensor is provided that can easily make possible stuffing with the filler or burying of the temperature detector element so that faster temperature response can be achieved. A temperature sensor has a closed-bottom tubular shaped case, a temperature detector element inserted and accommodated in the case, and a filler filled in the case and sealing the temperature detector element. The temperature sensor is provided with a filler flowing portion formed in a relative gap between the case and the temperature detector element along an insertion direction of the temperature detector element and having a gap relative to the temperature detector element larger than that relative to the remainder portion of the gap.