Thermocouple Guide Structure for Narrow Slits and High Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermocouple guides for ceramic heaters face issues with rigidity due to the design of bending a tubular member into a circular arc shape, leading to insufficient rigidity or increased width of the slit, which affects the performance and layout of associated components.
Innovation Solution
A thermocouple guide design featuring a straight tube portion and a curved section with a smaller outer diameter at the tip-side part, allowing for reduced inlet width while maintaining rigidity, achieved by welding a second tube portion with a smaller diameter to a first tube portion, enhancing the guide's structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the curved tube portion is thickened to maintain rigidity, then the rigidity of the thermocouple guide is improved, but the width of the slit must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The thermocouple guide employs different wall thicknesses in different sections: the curved tube portion has a first wall thickness optimized for bending and fitting into the slit, while the straight tube portion has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first, providing enhanced rigidity where needed. This local differentiation allows the guide to maintain sufficient rigidity without requiring an increased slit width, as the thicker section is positioned in the straight portion rather than the curved portion.
2Area of stationary object
If the curved tube portion is thinned to reduce slit width, then the width of the inlet portion is reduced, but the rigidity of the thermocouple guide becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thermocouple guide employs different wall thicknesses in different sections: the curved tube portion has a first wall thickness that allows for a narrower slit width, while the straight tube portion has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first, providing enhanced rigidity where needed. This local differentiation allows the guide to maintain sufficient rigidity without requiring a thicker curved portion that would increase the inlet width.
3Device complexity
If a single tubular member is bent into a circular arc shape, then the thermocouple guide can be formed as an integrated component, but the rigidity becomes insufficient due to the bending process
Solution Approach 1:
The thermocouple guide is divided into two separate tube portions: a curved tube portion that is bent into a circular arc shape and a straight tube portion that remains straight. These two portions are then joined together through welding or other connection methods. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the curved portion can be thinner and more flexible for fitting into the slit, while the straight portion can be thicker and provide the necessary rigidity for structural support.
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 design allows for a narrower inlet portion of the thermocouple passage while maintaining high rigidity, improving thermal uniformity and reducing thermal conduction, and provides increased flexibility in the layout of associated components.
Implementation Method 1
reducing thermal conduction
Data Source
AI summary
A thermocouple guide includes a first tube portion of a straight shape, and a second tube portion connected to the first tube portion and including a curved section that is formed to turn an extension direction from the first tube portion. An outer diameter of at least a tip-side part of the curved section, the tip-side part extending from a tip end of the curved section through a predetermined length, is smaller than an outer diameter of the first tube portion.