Thermochromic Material Phase Separation for Reversible Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature detection materials face challenges in handleability and production efficiency, particularly due to the complexity of microencapsulation and the difficulty in manufacturing microcapsules of small average particle diameter, which affects their discoloration reversibility and accuracy in temperature indication.

Innovation Solution

A temperature detection material is developed using a leuco dye, a color developer, and a color eraser, which form a phase separation structure with a nonpolar matrix material, allowing for simple manufacturing and improved handleability by controlling the hysteresis width and maintaining temperature detection functionality without the need for microcapsulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microencapsulation is used to separate electron-releasing coloring organic compound, electron-accepting compound, and thermochromic color-memory composition, then discoloration reversibility and temperature indication accuracy are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscoloration reversibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the microencapsulation step from the manufacturing process, achieving the desired separation of components through a simplified mixing approach where the electron-releasing coloring organic compound, electron-accepting compound, and thermochromic color-memory composition are mixed in a solvent-free system, eliminating the need for complex microencapsulation equipment and procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional system where a single mixing process simultaneously achieves component separation, maintains stability, and enables reversible discoloration, replacing the need for multiple specialized processing steps including microencapsulation with one universal mixing operation

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

2Reliability

If microencapsulation is used to separate electron-releasing coloring organic compound, electron-accepting compound, and thermochromic color-memory composition, then discoloration reversibility and temperature indication accuracy are improved, but production efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature indication accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the time-consuming microencapsulation process from production, achieving accurate temperature indication through direct mixing of components in a solvent-free system, thereby significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining temperature indication accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing parameters from microencapsulation-based processing to direct mixing with solvent-free conditions, achieving both high production efficiency and accurate temperature indication through optimized compositional parameters and mixing conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If meltable material or crystalline material is used to control leuco dye reaction, then discoloration reversibility is achieved, but handleability deteriorates due to state changes with temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscoloration reversibilityVSAvoidhandleability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of the matrix material to maintain a stable solid state across the operating temperature range, preventing the handleability issues associated with meltable or crystalline materials that undergo state changes, while still enabling reversible discoloration through controlled leuco dye reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining the leuco dye, electron-accepting compound, and thermochromic color-memory composition in a stable matrix that maintains structural integrity and handleability while providing reversible discoloration functionality through the synergistic interaction of components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 material enables reversible temperature indication with improved handleability and efficiency, allowing for accurate detection of temperature deviations and reuse, while maintaining long-term stability and simplicity in production.

Implementation Method 1

A temperature detection material is developed using a leuco dye, a color developer, and a color eraser, which form a phase separation structure with a nonpolar matrix material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation:

Implementation Method 2

allowing for simple manufacturing and improved handleability by controlling the hysteresis width and maintaining temperature detection functionality

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

A temperature detection material is developed using a leuco dye, a color developer, and a color eraser... allowing for accurate detection of temperature deviations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromic Paint

Data Source

PatentEP3557208B1Temperature detection material and methods for manufacturing a temperature detection material
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3557208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP3557208B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP3557208B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature detection material that can be manufactured through a simple step and is excellent in handleability. In order to solve the above problem, the temperature detection material according to the present invention includes a temperature-indicating material including a leuco dye, a color developer, and a color eraser and a matrix material; and is characterized in that the matrix material is in a solid state, a melting point of the matrix material is higher than a melting point of the temperature-indicating material, and a phase separation structure in which the temperature-indicating material disperses in the matrix material is formed.