Titanium Foil Temperature Sensor Laminate for Flexible Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors face challenges in enhancing strength, mechanical endurance, and weather resistance, particularly when used in thin, flexible forms required for applications like lithium-ion battery cell temperature measurement, due to materials like platinum being costly and nickel having low electrical resistivity, leading to fragility and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor is developed using a laminated structure of a titanium metal foil with a thickness of 3-10 μm on a resin film, which provides a high resistance value and improved mechanical strength, allowing for flexible and adaptable temperature sensing even on non-planar surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If platinum is used for the temperature sensitive element, then stability and weather resistance are improved, but cost increases and it becomes excessive quality for low temperature applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive platinum with a cheaper alternative material (nickel or nickel alloy) that provides sufficient performance for the application requirements. This substitution reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate reliability for low-temperature applications equal to or less than 200°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from platinum to nickel or nickel alloy, and adjusts the thickness parameter to 1-10 μm to achieve the desired resistance value (100-500Ω) while maintaining TCR characteristics suitable for temperature sensing in the target temperature range.
2Ease of manufacture
If nickel is used instead of platinum, then cost is reduced, but electrical resistivity becomes too low requiring thin film formation by sputtering which reduces mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film structure (1-10 μm thickness) of nickel or nickel alloy formed by sputtering to achieve the required resistance value. The thin film is then laminated on a flexible base material (polyimide film or resin film) which provides mechanical support and prevents fracture during bending or stretching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the nickel or nickel alloy thin film (providing temperature sensing functionality) with a base material such as polyimide film or resin film (providing mechanical strength and flexibility). This composite approach allows the temperature sensitive element to maintain both electrical performance and mechanical durability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the temperature sensor is made thin and flexible for battery cell insertion, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical strength and weather resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible base materials such as polyimide film or resin film as the substrate for the temperature sensor. These materials inherently provide flexibility and bendability, allowing the sensor to be inserted between battery cells and conform to non-planar surfaces while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent constructs a composite structure where the nickel or nickel alloy thin film is laminated on the flexible base material. This composite design enables the sensor to achieve both thin/flexible characteristics for adaptability and sufficient mechanical strength through the supportive base material layer.
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 titanium metal foil-based temperature sensor achieves enhanced strength, stability, and accuracy, enabling reliable temperature measurement across a range of temperatures with improved adaptability and reduced cost compared to traditional materials.
Implementation Method 1
Many temperature sensitive films measure temperatures by utilizing changes in the resistance value due to temperature changes (TCR)
Implementation Method 2
a resin film and a titanium metal foil laminated on the resin film
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a temperature sensor which can enhance strength more easily. The temperature sensor comprises a resin film and a titanium metal foil laminated on the resin film. The titanium metal foil constitutes a conductive pattern. In an example, the titanium metal foil is subjected to a surface modification on a surface facing the resin film. In an example, a thickness of the titanium metal foil is within a range of 3-10 μm. In an example, the resin film contains a thermoplastic resin, and a thickness of the resin film is within a range of 20-80 μm.