Thermal Detector Arm With Variable Width For Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal detecting devices face challenges in balancing the strength of support arms with heat dissipation and wiring integrity, leading to potential sticking issues and reduced light capturing efficiency due to insufficient thermal isolation and structural weaknesses.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a support member with a first arm member having a wider base end section for increased strength and a narrower body section to reduce thermal conductance, along with a wiring layer configuration that changes direction to minimize heat dissipation and maximize arm length, ensuring robustness and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the support arm is configured to be narrow and elongated to reduce thermal conductance and decrease heat capacity, then heat dissipation from the thermal infrared detection element is reduced, but the support arm will not have sufficient strength and may adhere or become stuck during manufacturing or use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidsupport arm strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed with non-uniform width along its length, featuring a wider base portion for strength and a narrower body portion for reduced thermal conductance. This local variation in geometry allows different sections of the same component to serve different functional requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm is divided into distinct functional sections: a base portion with larger width for structural support and strength, and a body portion with smaller width for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If the support arm is made narrower to reduce thermal conductance, then heat dissipation is decreased, but the light capturing efficiency may decline due to orientation changes during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidlight capturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm features a wider base portion that provides structural stability and prevents excessive bending or orientation changes, while the narrower body portion maintains thermal isolation. This local quality differentiation ensures both thermal performance and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If a step-shaped change or undercut is added to the support arm to increase bending strength, then the support arm strength is improved, but an increased number of manufacturing steps is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport arm bending strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex geometric features like steps or undercuts, the invention achieves enhanced strength by varying the width parameter of the support arm along its length. The wider base portion provides the necessary strength through a simple geometric parameter change that can be achieved with standard manufacturing processes.

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 reliability of thermal detectors by increasing strength, reducing thermal conductance, and preventing wiring breakage, while maintaining high sensitivity through optimized light capturing surface area and thermal isolation.

Implementation Method 1

detecting infrared radiation by absorbing heat in the form of infrared radiation with an infrared absorbing film and detecting an electromotive force generated (pyroelectric)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyroelectric effect: Pyroelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

detecting an electromotive force generated (pyroelectric) or a change of a resistance value (bolometric) in a thermal infrared detection element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBolometric effect: Bolometer

Implementation Method 3

a hollow section is formed between the support member and a substrate for thermal isolation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS8764287B2Thermal detector, thermal detecting device, and electronic instrument

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A thermal detector includes a thermal detecting element and a support member supporting the thermal detecting element and a wiring layer. The support member has an arm member connected to a mounting member with the first arm member having an arm base end section extending outwardly from the mounting member toward a first direction, the arm base section having a first width measured along a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and an arm body section having a proximal end portion extending from the arm base end section generally along an outer contour of the mounting member with the proximal end portion being spaced apart from an edge of the mounting member in the first direction. The proximal end portion of the arm body section has a second width measured along a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the arm body section that is narrower than the first width.