An indicator responsive to temperature changes

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of indicators in response to temperature change, belong to temperature monitoring field, including indicator body and the indicator on the indicator body of being set;In response to ambient temperature exceeds predetermined temperature, indicator body deforms, and after ambient temperature resets, it can automatically restore original state;In response to the deformation of indicator body, irreversible trace is generated on indicator.The utility model provides indicator body and indicator in low-cost mode, so that when ambient temperature exceeds predetermined temperature, indicator body will deform to make irreversible trace on indicator, even if ambient temperature resets and indicator body restores original state in the mode of automatic or by external force shaping, whether ambient temperature has occurred over temperature condition can be judged by observing whether irreversible trace exists on indicator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of temperature monitoring technology, and in particular to an indicator that responds to temperature changes. Background Technology

[0002] In the transportation or storage of temperature-sensitive products, it is necessary to avoid environmental temperature imbalances as much as possible in order to prevent the products from deteriorating. For example, frozen foods need to be protected from thawing, and skin care products need to be protected from freezing.

[0003] Existing monitoring methods typically involve time-interval temperature sampling. However, if a temperature imbalance occurs within the sampling interval and then recovers, the time-interval temperature sampling cannot detect it. This can lead to the entry of re-frozen (thawed and then refrozen food) or re-liquefied (frozen and then thawed skin care products) into the market, thereby affecting product quality and reputation.

[0004] Real-time temperature sampling and recording would obviously increase equipment investment and subsequent maintenance costs, making it an uneconomical monitoring method for low-cost, small-batch products.

[0005] Therefore, a low-cost and accurate technology is needed to monitor environmental temperature imbalances. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problem that existing environmental temperature monitoring technologies cannot balance accuracy and cost, the purpose of this invention is to provide an indicator that responds to temperature changes, thereby at least partially solving the aforementioned problems.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: An indicator responsive to temperature changes includes an indicator body and an indicator disposed on the indicator body; the indicator body deforms in response to an ambient temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature and automatically returns to its original shape after the ambient temperature returns to normal; irreversible marks are generated on the indicator in response to the deformation of the indicator body.

[0008] In some preferred embodiments, the indicator body is configured as a bimetallic strip or a shape memory alloy with a bidirectional shape memory effect.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the indicator is a fragile self-adhesive, a stretch-sensitive self-adhesive, or a continuous protective film formed by drying with a quick-drying liquid coated on the indicator body.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the indicator is configured as a housing disposed on the outside of the indicator body, the housing being made of a hard and brittle material.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the surface of the indicator is further provided with a pattern, which includes one or more of text, graphics, letters, numbers, and color combinations.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the indicator body is flat at a predetermined temperature.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, a protective box with perforated holes on its surface is also included. A lifting mechanism is installed inside the protective box. The output end of the lifting mechanism is provided with a clamping structure for holding the indicator. An opening is provided on the protective box for the indicator to enter and exit. A drive mechanism for driving the lifting mechanism is also installed on the protective box.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the lifting mechanism includes a rotating shaft, a cam, a carrier plate, and a spring; the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the side wall of the protective box, the cam is fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft, the carrier plate is slidably connected in the protective box, and the spring is connected between the carrier plate and the protective box, the spring being used to provide an elastic force that causes the carrier plate to slide toward the cam side.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the drive mechanism includes a handle fixed to the rotating shaft, the handle being located outside the protective housing.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the clamping structure is an elastic buckle fixed to the carrier plate.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model by adopting the above technical solution are as follows: The indicator provided by this utility model, through the design of the indicator body and the indicator object, ensures that when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the indicator body deforms, resulting in irreversible marks on the indicator object. Even after the ambient temperature resets and the indicator body automatically returns to its original state, the presence of irreversible marks on the indicator object can still indicate whether the ambient temperature has risen excessively. Furthermore, the indicator provided by this utility model not only has low manufacturing costs but also allows for repeated use simply by resetting the indicator object, thereby effectively reducing long-term usage costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after deformation and bending in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after deformation and bending in Embodiment 2 of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the protective box in Embodiment 3 of this utility model; Figure 6 For along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view along line AA in the middle.

[0019] In the diagram: 1-Indicator body, 2-Indicator, 3-Pattern layer, 4-Protective box, 41-Hole cutout, 42-Opening, 5-Lifting mechanism, 51-Rotating shaft, 52-Cam, 53-Carrier plate, 54-Spring, 6-Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these descriptions are for the purpose of aiding understanding of this utility model, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0021] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the description of the structure of this utility model shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0022] The terms "first" and "second" in this technical solution are merely designations for corresponding structures that are identical or similar, or that perform similar functions. They do not represent an arrangement of the importance of these structures, nor do they imply any ranking, comparison of size, or other meaning.

[0023] Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, a connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two structures. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the overall concept and the specific context of the solution.

[0024] Example 1 An indicator that responds to temperature changes, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, it includes an indicator body 1 and an indicator 2 disposed on the indicator body 1.

[0025] The indicator body 1 is, for example, a bimetallic strip that can deform when the temperature rises and gradually return to its original shape after cooling. By selecting the material and size of the bimetallic strip, the shape of the indicator body 1 can be kept flat at a certain predetermined temperature. When the ambient temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, the indicator body 1 will deform. When the ambient temperature returns to the predetermined temperature, the indicator body 1 can return to its original flat shape.

[0026] The indicator 2 is set on the indicator body 1, and when the indicator body 1 is deformed, the indicator 2 will generate an irreversible mark. In this way, even if the indicator body 1 is heated and deformed and then cooled and returned to its original shape, the irreversible mark formed by the indicator 2 will be retained, so that people can quickly determine whether the ambient temperature has been raised by observing whether there is an irreversible mark.

[0027] There are several options for the indicator 2. The indicator 2 can be a fragile self-adhesive coating applied to the indicator body 1, a stretch-color-changing self-adhesive coating applied to the indicator body 1, a continuous protective film applied to the indicator body 1 and dried by a quick-drying liquid, or a shell disposed on the outside of the indicator body 1, which is made of a hard and brittle material. When the indicator 2 is a shell disposed on the outside of the indicator body 1, the shell can be fitted onto the outside of the indicator body 1 with a clearance fit.

[0028] Thus, when the indicator body 1 is deformed, the fragile adhesive will irreversibly break, the stretch-discoloring adhesive will irreversibly discolor, the continuous protective film formed after drying with quick-drying liquid will irreversibly rupture, and the shell made of hard and brittle materials will irreversibly break.

[0029] It is easy to understand that the indicator 2 is preferably placed on the surface (one or two opposite surfaces) in the direction of deformation and bending of the indicator body 1. Of course, the indicator 2 can also cover all surfaces of the indicator body 1 in all directions.

[0030] In some preferred embodiments, the surface of the indicator 2 may also be provided with a pattern layer 3, which includes one or more of text, graphics, letters, numbers, and color combinations. The pattern layer 3 is preferably disposed on the surface (one or two opposite surfaces) in the deformation and bending direction of the indicator body 1.

[0031] With this setup, the pattern layer 3 can "magnify" the "irreversible traces" produced by the indicator 2. For example, if the temperature rise is small and the deformation of the indicator 2 is not obvious (e.g., the fragile adhesive is not broken, the stretchable adhesive does not change color significantly, the continuous protective film formed after drying by the quick-drying liquid does not have obvious cracks, and the shell made of hard and brittle materials does not have obvious damage), it can be determined whether the ambient temperature has risen by observing whether the pattern layer 3 has experienced misalignment, overlap, or streaking.

[0032] When in use, place the indicator in a low-temperature environment (such as a refrigerated truck, cold storage, or refrigerator). Once the ambient temperature reaches the predetermined temperature (i.e., the shape of the indicator body 1 is basically flat), place the indicator 2 on the indicator body 1. If the ambient temperature rises during transportation (or other usage methods), the indicator body 1 will deform. The indicator 2 will passively develop irreversible marks due to the deformation of the indicator body 1. Thus, even if the indicator body 1 heats up and deforms before cooling back to its original shape, the irreversible marks formed by the indicator 2 will be preserved. This allows people to quickly determine whether the ambient temperature has risen by observing whether irreversible marks are present.

[0033] Similarly, in scenarios where it is necessary to monitor whether the ambient temperature has dropped to an unacceptable level, when an unacceptable temperature drop occurs, the bimetallic strip will deform in the opposite direction, which can also form an irreversible mark on the indicator 2.

[0034] Example 2 Compared to Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the indicator body 1 can be replaced by a shape memory alloy instead of a bimetallic sheet, such as... Figure 3-4 As shown.

[0035] In this embodiment, shape memory alloys typically refer to those with a bidirectional shape memory effect. These alloys can recover their original shape when heated and undergo a predetermined deformation when cooled; for example, the original shape may be curved, and the predetermined shape may be straight. The shape memory alloy's material type and specific training can be used to match the actual application scenario, meaning the phase transition temperature of the shape memory alloy can be matched to the actual application scenario through material selection.

[0036] Therefore, in use, the indicator body 1, made of shape memory alloy, can be deployed in a low-temperature environment in its predetermined deformed (i.e., flat) shape, and then the indicator 2 can be placed on the indicator body 1. If, during transportation (or other usage), the ambient temperature rises and the indicator body 1 returns to its original bent shape, the indicator 2 will passively develop irreversible marks due to the bending of the indicator body 1. Even if the indicator body 1 cools down again and returns to a flat shape, the irreversible marks formed by the indicator 2 will be retained, allowing people to quickly determine whether the ambient temperature has risen by observing whether irreversible marks are present.

[0037] Similarly, in scenarios where it is necessary to monitor whether the ambient temperature has dropped to an unacceptable level, when an unacceptable temperature drop occurs, the shape memory alloy with bidirectional shape memory effect will deform from the original shape to a predetermined shape, for example, the original shape is straight and the predetermined shape is curved, which can also form an irreversible mark on the indicator 2.

[0038] Example 3 like Figure 5-6 As shown, it also includes a protective box 4, which is used to store and protect the indicator body 1. The protective box 4 is configured as a rectangular shell structure, such as a square, having a bottom surface, a top surface, and four sides. The bottom surface is usually used as a support surface when placed. The four sides of the protective box 4 (and may also include the top surface) are usually provided with perforations 41 for ventilation, so that the interior of the protective box 4 can be connected to the outside.

[0039] The protective box 4 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 5, which is used to bring the indicator body 1 out of the protective box 4 for easy replacement or observation. When the protective box 4 is placed horizontally with its bottom facing down, the lifting mechanism 5 moves vertically.

[0040] The lifting mechanism 5 includes a rotating shaft 51, a cam 52, a carrier plate 53, and a spring 54. The rotating shaft 51 is horizontally arranged and rotatably connected to the side wall (e.g., the front and rear sides) of the protective box 4, with its two ends located on the inner and outer sides of the protective box 4, respectively. The cam 52 is located inside the protective box 4 and is fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft 51 by a key. The carrier plate 53 is slidably connected inside the protective box 4. For example, multiple grooves are formed on the inner wall of the side (front and rear sides) of the protective box 4, and corresponding sliders are fixed on the carrier plate 53 for use. The spring 54 is configured as a tension spring, located on the lower side of the carrier plate 53. The upper end of the spring 54 is connected to the bottom surface of the carrier plate 53 by a hook, and the lower end of the spring 54 is connected to the bottom surface of the protective box 4 by a hook. The spring 54 provides a spring force to make the carrier plate 53 slide towards the cam 52. That is, when no external force is applied, the carrier plate 53 is in the lowest position (the position closest to the bottom surface of the protective box 4) and is completely inside the protective box 4.

[0041] The output end of the lifting mechanism 5 is the carrier plate 53, which is equipped with a clamping structure 6 for holding the indicator. For example, it is an elastic buckle fixed to the top surface of the carrier plate 53 by screws or welding. The buckle has a non-closed locking hole that matches the cross-section of the indicator, that is, it has a notch slightly smaller than the cross-sectional size of the indicator. The indicator can be clamped and fixed through the locking hole with the notch. When the indicator is placed on the top surface of the carrier plate 53 by the clamping structure 6, the bending deformation direction of the indicator body 1 occurs in the horizontal plane, and the clamping structure 6 is also configured with a relatively short length, so that neither the carrier plate 53 nor the clamping structure 6 affects the deformation movement of the indicator body 1.

[0042] The top surface of the protective box 4 has an opening 42 for the indicator to enter and exit. The protective box 4 is also equipped with a drive mechanism 7 for driving the lifting mechanism 5. For example, the drive mechanism 7 is configured as a handle fixed on the rotating shaft 51. The handle is located outside the protective box 4 for easy operation.

[0043] The embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this utility model is not limited to the described embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this utility model, and these variations still fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An indicator responsive to temperature changes, characterized in that: It includes an indicator body and an indicator disposed on the indicator body; in response to the ambient temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature, the indicator body deforms and can automatically return to its original shape after the ambient temperature returns to normal. In response to deformation of the indicator body, an irreversible mark is generated on the indicator.

2. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indicator body is configured as a bimetallic sheet or a shape memory alloy with a bidirectional shape memory effect.

3. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indicator is a fragile self-adhesive, a stretch-color-changing self-adhesive, or a continuous protective film formed by drying with a quick-drying liquid, coated on the indicator body.

4. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indicator is configured as a housing disposed on the outside of the indicator body, the housing being made of a hard and brittle material.

5. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the indicator is also provided with a pattern, which includes one or more of the following: text, graphics, letters, numbers, and color combinations.

6. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indicator body is flat at a predetermined temperature.

7. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a protective box with perforated holes on its surface, a lifting mechanism installed inside the protective box, a clamping structure for holding the indicator at the output end of the lifting mechanism, an opening for the indicator to enter and exit the protective box, and a drive mechanism for driving the lifting mechanism.

8. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a rotating shaft, a cam, a carrier plate, and a spring; the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the side wall of the protective box, the cam is fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft, the carrier plate is slidably connected in the protective box, and the spring is connected between the carrier plate and the protective box, and the spring is used to provide elastic force to make the carrier plate slide towards the cam side.

9. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 8, characterized in that: The drive mechanism includes a handle fixed to the rotating shaft, and the handle is located outside the protective box.

10. The indicator responsive to temperature changes according to claim 8, characterized in that: The clamping structure is an elastic buckle fixed to the carrier plate.

Images