Thermistor-Based Temperature Drift Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature measurement devices using thermocouples face limitations in compensating for temperature drift due to external and internal temperature changes, requiring separate temperature measurement elements and resulting in precision errors and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The method employs a thermistor for reference junction compensation, calculating a compensation factor to adjust digital counts based on temperature differences, allowing for effective temperature drift compensation without additional hardware or circuits, using a predetermined reference room temperature and compensation coefficient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate temperature measurement element is added to compensate for temperature drift, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermistor originally designed for reference junction compensation is made to serve dual purposes: its primary function of measuring reference junction temperature and an additional function of detecting ambient temperature drift. By calculating the difference between reference junction temperature and ambient temperature, the system compensates for temperature drift without requiring separate temperature measurement elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing thermistor in the temperature measurement device performs self-service by simultaneously providing reference junction compensation and temperature drift compensation. The device uses its own existing component (thermistor) to correct its own measurement errors caused by ambient temperature changes, eliminating the need for external assistance or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a separate temperature measurement element is added to compensate for temperature drift, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thermistor is designed to perform multiple functions: reference junction temperature measurement and ambient temperature drift detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate temperature measurement elements, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision through drift compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing thermistor compensates for temperature drift using its own measurements, eliminating the need for additional temperature measurement elements and their associated manufacturing costs. The system achieves precision improvement through intelligent use of existing components rather than through additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If conventional reference junction compensation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature drift compensation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtemperature drift compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of both reference junction temperature and ambient temperature using the thermistor. By calculating the temperature difference in advance and applying compensation factors, the system proactively corrects for temperature drift before it affects measurement accuracy, maintaining precision without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for additional physical temperature measurement elements with a computational approach. By using the existing thermistor's data and applying software-based compensation calculations, the system achieves temperature drift compensation without adding mechanical or physical components, thus maintaining simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach maintains measurement precision despite environmental temperature changes, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables firmware-based compensation, simplifying configuration and improving thermocouple signal quality.

Implementation Method 1

The thermocouple is a device for measuring temperature in a wide range using the Seebeck effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSeebeck effect: Seebeck Effect

Implementation Method 2

a thermistor for reference junction compensation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermistor temperature sensing: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP3109607B1Method for temperature drift compensation of temperature measurement device using thermocouple
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 LSIS CO LTD
  • EP3109607B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3109607B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3109607B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for temperature drift compensation of a temperature measurement device using a thermocouple. According to the method for temperature drift compensation of the temperature measurement device using the thermocouple of the present invention, the temperature drift may be compensated for through reference junction compensation alone using a thermistor for reference junction compensation without providing a separate temperature measurement element. Thereby, precision of a measured temperature doesn't change despite change in temperature of the surroundings measured by the temperature measurement device, and the manufacturing cost may be effectively reduced.