Temperature sensor, temperature measuring device, and temperature measuring method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature sensors used in extremely low-temperature environments, such as cryogenic devices, often experience lead wire breakage due to thermal expansion and contraction, which can lead to fatigue and stress on the wires connecting the temperature sensor to the thermal anchor.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor design featuring a housing with an electric resistor and a thermal anchor connected via a lead wire, where the lead wire forms a curved or meandering path within the housing, allowing for thermal expansion and contraction while minimizing stress, and the thermal anchor is positioned close to the electric resistor to absorb deformation, reducing the risk of wire breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lead wire is made straight and rigid to ensure stable electrical connection, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the lead wire becomes vulnerable to breakage due to thermal expansion and contraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidlead wire durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The lead wire is configured in a curved or meandering path between the temperature sensor and thermal anchor portion, allowing it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction through its curvature rather than breaking. This curved configuration absorbs the mechanical stress generated by temperature changes while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The lead wire's physical parameters are changed from a straight, rigid configuration to a curved, flexible path. This parameter change allows the lead wire to dynamically adapt to thermal changes in the cryogenic environment, transforming it from a brittle component into a resilient connection element that can withstand repeated thermal cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the thermal anchor portion is positioned far from the temperature sensor to facilitate installation, then ease of installation is improved, but the lead wire length increases and becomes more prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidlead wire integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The meandering path of the lead wire allows it to be longer without proportionally increasing breakage risk. The curved configuration distributes stress along the length of the wire, and the thermal anchor portion can be positioned at an optimal distance for installation while maintaining lead wire integrity through its flexible, curved geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Measurement precision

If the lead wire is made short and direct to minimize thermal interference, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the lead wire becomes more susceptible to breakage from thermal stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidlead wire resistance to breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The curved or meandering lead wire configuration minimizes the straight-line distance between components while providing sufficient wire length to accommodate thermal expansion. The curvature allows the wire to follow a compact path that reduces thermal interference with the measurement while simultaneously providing the flexibility needed to withstand thermal stress without breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design effectively suppresses lead wire breakage and fatigue by absorbing thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring reliable temperature measurement data transmission in extreme low-temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for thermal expansion and contraction while minimizing stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

allowing for thermal expansion and contraction while minimizing stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS11867458B2Temperature sensor, temperature measuring device, and temperature measuring method

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 TOKYO ELECTRON LTD

AI summary

A temperature sensor, a temperature measuring device comprising the temperature sensor, and a temperature measuring method using the temperature sensor are disclosed. The temperature sensor is disposed at a measurement target having an extremely low temperature and transmits temperature measurement data to a temperature measurement output unit through a lead wire. The temperature sensor includes a housing, an electric resistor disposed in the housing, and a thermal anchor portion disposed inside or outside the housing and connected to the lead wire. Further, the lead wire extending from the thermal anchor portion is connected to the temperature measurement output unit.