Temperature sensor and heating cooker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature sensors used in harsh environments, such as heating cookers, face challenges in withstanding high temperatures (up to 500°C) and high voltages (over 1000V), and are unable to accurately measure temperatures near the center of large heating chambers due to insufficient sensor length.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor design featuring a metal protective tube with a thermosensitive body and conductive wires, utilizing a combination of first and second heat-resistant insulators, including ceramic or glass materials, to ensure reliable electrical insulation and mechanical fixation, allowing for extended length and improved temperature measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal protective tube is used to protect the sensor element, then mechanical strength and protection from external force are improved, but electrical insulation between lead wires and the protective tube deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A heat-resistant insulator made of ceramic or glass is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal protective tube and the lead wires. This insulator serves as a mediator that provides electrical insulation while withstanding high temperatures, resolving the contradiction between mechanical protection and electrical insulation reliability.
2Length of moving object
If the temperature sensor length is extended to measure temperatures near the center of large heating chambers, then measurement position flexibility is improved, but structural stability and insulation reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor employs a composite structure combining metal protective tube, ceramic/glass insulator, and lead wires. This composite design allows the sensor to be extended in length while maintaining insulation reliability through the heat-resistant insulator material that remains effective over the extended length.
3Reliability
If ceramic insulators are used to provide electrical insulation, then electrical insulation reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-resistant insulator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing electrical insulation between lead wires and the metal tube, withstanding high temperatures up to 500°C, and maintaining structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 solution provides reliable electrical insulation and mechanical stability, enabling the temperature sensor to withstand high temperatures and voltages, and allows for longer sensor lengths to accurately measure temperatures near the center of large heating chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor including a protective tube made of metal, a sensor element including a thermosensitive body and a pair of wires electrically connected to the thermosensitive body
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor includes a protective tube made of metal, a sensor element including a thermosensitive body and a pair of conductive wires electrically connected to the thermosensitive body and accommodated in the protective tube, a first heat-resistant insulator for ensuring electrical insulation of the pair of conductive wires inside the protective tube, and a second heat-resistant insulator provided between the first heat-resistant insulator and the protective tube for ensuring electrical insulation between the conductive wires and the protective tube.