Wireless Thermal Sensor with RF Power and Periodic Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless sensing technologies face challenges in accurately measuring thermal properties of objects, particularly in wearable devices, due to limitations in power efficiency, spatial resolution, and the ability to transmit data wirelessly while maintaining reliable thermal contact.
Innovation Solution
The development of a mobile sensing system comprising an RF circuit, antenna, sensor, and thermal source, where the RF reader provides power to the sensing device, enabling it to transmit data signals associated with temperature changes, allowing for the determination of thermal properties of objects through a processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless sensing devices are used to measure thermal properties, then portability and ease of use are improved, but power efficiency deteriorates due to continuous power consumption for wireless transmission and sensing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between sensing mode (where the sensor measures thermal properties) and transmission mode (where data is wirelessly transmitted). This periodic operation allows the device to remain portable while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains thermal contact with the object being measured throughout operation, ensuring continuous thermal coupling. This allows the sensor to continuously gather thermal data while the wireless transmission occurs periodically, maintaining measurement continuity without requiring continuous high-power transmission.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor maintains reliable thermal contact with the object for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requirements for stable thermal coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device employs a flexible substrate that can conform to the surface of the object being measured. This flexible design enables reliable thermal contact through simple attachment (such as adhesive bonding) rather than complex mechanical coupling mechanisms, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes the natural thermal conduction properties of the flexible substrate and adhesive layers to establish thermal contact. The thermal coupling is achieved passively through material properties and geometric conformality rather than active control mechanisms, reducing system complexity while ensuring reliable thermal measurement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device integrates multiple components (RF circuit, sensor, thermal source) for comprehensive thermal property measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF circuit, sensor, and thermal source are integrated onto a single flexible substrate, forming a unified sensing device. This merging of components simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability, as all components work together in close proximity on the same platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for all components, establishes thermal coupling with the object, enables wireless communication through the RF circuit, and facilitates data processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatile measurement capability.
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 solution enables efficient, accurate, and wireless measurement of thermal properties, improving power management and spatial resolution, and facilitating the integration of wearable sensors for thermal property analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal source thermally coupled to the sensor and electronically coupled to the RF circuit
Implementation Method 2
the sensor is configured to generate a series of sensing signals associated with temperature when the thermal source is powered
Implementation Method 3
an antenna electronically coupled to the RF circuit, wherein the RF reader is configured to interrogate the sensing device; and wherein the sensing device is configured to transmit a series of data signals associated with the series of sensing signals via the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a mobile sensing system comprising a sensing device for measuring a thermal property of an object, comprising an RF circuit and an antenna electronically coupled to the RF circuit, a sensor electronically coupled to the RF circuit, and a thermal source thermally coupled to the sensor and electronically coupled to the RF circuit, a mobile device having a processor, an RF reader connected to or integrated with the mobile device, wherein the RF reader is configured to interrogate the sensing device; wherein the sensing device receives power when the RF reader interrogates the sensing device and provides at least a portion of the power to the thermal source.