Portable temperature measuring device

Abstract

To provide a portable temperature measurement device which ensures reliable button operability and measurement result readability regardless of the measurement position, and which enables easy alignment of a temperature sensor position with a measurement point of a measurement target to make accurate temperature measurement.SOLUTION: A portable temperature measurement device main body 10 has a display unit 16 and operating unit 21 provided on a first surface 13 thereof, and a first opening 23 is provided on a second surface 14 to direct infrared rays to an infrared sensor located inside the main body 10, the first opening 23 being located near an outer periphery of the second surface 14, and a sighting unit 50 for aiming at a measurement point of a measurement target is provided on a peripheral portion of the main body near the first opening 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable temperature measuring device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a portable temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of a measurement target non-contact. Such a portable temperature measuring device generally has an infrared sensor (temperature sensor) for temperature detection provided at the tip of a stick-shaped (rod-shaped) main body, and a display unit for displaying measurement results and an operation unit such as a button switch provided on the surface of the main body other than the tip (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In measurement, the temperature is measured by operating an operation button with the tip of the main body, which is narrowed at the tip, facing the measurement target, for example, the forehead of a person if it is a thermometer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention solves at least one of these problems and provides a portable temperature measuring device that can easily and accurately measure temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable temperature measuring device comprises a main body having an infrared sensor inside and a gripping part, wherein the main body comprises a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, a display unit and an operating unit disposed on the first surface, a first opening disposed on the second surface for guiding infrared rays to the infrared sensor, and a aiming part for aiming at the measurement point of an object to be measured, wherein, when viewed from the first surface side, the width of the first surface is greater than the width of the gripping part in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the gripping part, the first opening is located near the outer periphery of the main body opposite to the gripping part, and the aiming part is provided on the outer periphery of the main body near the first opening.

[0007] In this embodiment, a display unit and an operating unit are provided on the first surface, and a first opening is provided on the second surface to guide infrared rays to an infrared sensor located inside the main body. This allows the operator to operate the portable temperature measuring device while directly viewing the operating unit, regardless of the measurement position, and to easily recognize the measurement results without moving the portable temperature measuring device from the measurement location, thereby improving operability. Furthermore, when viewed from the first surface, the width of the first surface is made larger than the width of the gripping unit in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the gripping unit, allowing for a larger display area and improved readability. In addition, the first opening on the second surface is positioned along the outer perimeter of the main body on the side opposite the gripping unit, and a aiming unit is provided on the outer perimeter of the main body near the first opening. With this configuration, even if the infrared sensor is on the second surface side, which is not directly visible to the operator, the direction and position of the infrared sensor can be appropriately aligned with the measurement location by aligning the position where the aiming unit is visible with the position where the measurement location of the object being measured is visible, enabling easy and accurate temperature measurement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where Figure 1(a) is a front view, Figure 1(b) is a rear view, and Figure 1(c) is a left side view. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A' in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram for the use of Embodiment 1, where Figure 3(a) is an explanatory side view and Figure 3(b) is an explanatory side front view. [Figure 4] This is a hardware configuration diagram used in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Embodiment 2 is shown, with Figure 5(a) being a front view and Figure 5(b) being a rear view. [Figure 6] Embodiment 3 is shown, with Figure 6(a) being a front view and Figure 6(b) being a rear view. [Figure 7] Embodiment 4 is shown, with Figure 7(a) being a front view, Figure 7(b) being a rear view, and Figure 7(c) being a left side view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The portable temperature measuring device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 shows a portable temperature measuring device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1(a) is a front view of the portable temperature measuring device 100, Figure 1(b) is a rear view, and Figure 1(c) is a left side view. As shown in Figure 1, the portable temperature measuring device 100 comprises a main body 10 that appears approximately circular when viewed from the front, and a gripping part 11 provided for holding the portable temperature measuring device 100 in the hand and connected to the main body. The main body 10 has an infrared sensor inside.

[0011] The main body 10 houses a circuit board 30 on which electronic components such as a CPU are mounted. The gripping part 11 is connected to the main body 10 and contains a battery 31, such as a dry cell battery or rechargeable battery, to power the portable temperature measuring device 100. The main body 10 includes a first surface 13 located on the front side, a second surface 14 located on the rear side opposite the first surface 13, and a third surface 15 connecting the first surface 13 and the second surface 14. The first surface 13 and the second surface 14 may each be flat, partially or entirely curved, or may have functional or decorative irregularities. The portable temperature measuring device 100 is formed such that, when viewed from the side of the first surface 13, the width of the first surface 13 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the gripping portion 11 is greater than the width of the gripping portion 11 in the same direction. Furthermore, all radial dimensions of the first surface, including the center, are formed to be larger than the maximum distance between the first surface and the second surface. In this embodiment, a third surface 15 is provided, but for example, the second surface 14 may be a curved surface and directly connected to the first surface 13.

[0012] On the first surface 13, a display unit 16, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an LED (light-emitting diode), is arranged, and in the space between the display unit 16 and the gripping unit 11, an operating unit 21 consisting of, for example, push buttons 17, 18, 20 and a ring button 19 is arranged. For example, push button 17 is a temperature measurement button, push button 18 is a button for reading the identification code of the object to be measured MT, ring button 19 is a function selection button, and push button 20 is a button for confirming the function selected by ring button 19. By arranging them in this way, the operator can operate the operating unit 21 with their thumb while holding the gripping unit 11 with one hand, thereby improving operability.

[0013] On the second surface 14, a first opening 23 is located near the outer perimeter 12 to guide infrared rays to an infrared sensor 22 located inside the main body 10. A distance sensor 24 is also provided near the infrared sensor 22. The distance sensor 24 is equipped with a light-emitting element 24a and a light-receiving element 24b, and the light-receiving element 24b measures the light reflected by the object MT being measured from the light-emitting element 24a, thereby recognizing the distance.

[0014] A second opening 25 is provided on the second surface 14 of the main body 10 to guide the light from the light-emitting element 24a and the reflected light from the object to be measured MT. A waveguide 33 for focusing infrared light is positioned between the first opening 23 and the infrared sensor 22. Another waveguide 34 is positioned between the second opening 25 and the distance sensor 24.

[0015] Figure 2 is an example of a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, an infrared sensor 22 and a distance sensor 24 are mounted on the circuit board 30. A waveguide 33 is provided between the infrared sensor 22 and the main body 10, and the opening 33a of the waveguide 33 forms the first opening 23 of the main body 10. In addition, a waveguide 34 is provided between the distance sensor 24 and the main body 10, and the opening 34a of the waveguide 34 forms the second opening 25. The distance sensor 24 is positioned close to the second surface 14 to effectively receive and emit light. On the other hand, the infrared sensor 22 is positioned inside the distance sensor 24 in order to concentrate infrared light using a waveguide 33 with a conical or parabolic inner surface to increase the received light intensity. Furthermore, because the infrared sensor 22 is positioned inside the distance sensor 24, the field of view from the infrared sensor 22 is narrowed by the relatively long waveguide 33, and as a result, objects other than the object being measured are difficult to see.

[0016] In this embodiment, the waveguide 33 and the waveguide 34 are integrally formed of resin or the like, and are plated with a highly reflective plating such as gold plating, silver plating, nickel-chromium, or rhodium inside as necessary. Note that the waveguides may be provided separately instead of integrally. Further, the waveguides 33 and 34 are not necessarily used, and it is also possible to directly provide an opening (first opening 23) through which infrared rays for temperature measurement pass in the main body 10, and an opening (second opening 25) through which light from the light emitting element of the distance sensor passes. The position of the first opening 23 is disposed near the outer peripheral side 12 of the main body 10 on the side opposite to the gripping portion 11. Further, a warning portion 32 composed of a light emitting element such as a buzzer or an LED may be provided on, for example, the first surface 13, the second surface 14, or the third surface 15 of the main body 10.

[0017] By the way, when measuring the temperature by measuring the amount of infrared rays emitted from the measurement object MT, there is a problem that the measured value varies depending on the distance between the measurement object MT and the portable temperature measurement device 100, and an accurate measured value cannot be obtained if the distance is not appropriate. To avoid such a problem, a distance sensor 24 may be arranged to give a warning with a warning portion 32 such as a buzzer or an LED lamp when a predetermined distance is recognized. For example, when the push button 17 for temperature measurement is operated, if the distance measured by the distance sensor 24 is within an appropriate range, the measurement result of the infrared sensor 22 is displayed on the display portion 16. If the distance is out of the appropriate range, the warning portion 32 gives a warning to prompt remeasurement. Alternatively, before the operation of the push button 17 for temperature measurement, when the distance sensor 24 recognizes that it has entered a predetermined distance range, the warning portion 32 gives a warning, and the operator may operate the push button 17 at that timing to perform temperature measurement.

[0018] Furthermore, the portable temperature measurement device 100 arranges a first opening 23 that guides infrared rays to the infrared sensor 22 near the outer peripheral side 12 of the second surface 14, and disposes a protrusion 26 as an aiming portion 50 indicating the position of the first opening 23 on the third surface near it. The "aiming portion" is a portion for aiming at the measurement location of the measurement object. Generally, The aiming part is located on the outer periphery (in this case, the outer periphery 12) of the main body 10 near the first opening 23 when the first surface 13 is viewed from above. The "aiming part" in Embodiment 1 is configured as a projection 26 that protrudes outward from the outer periphery 12. The first opening 23 and the aiming part 50 are located on a virtual centerline CL along the extending direction of the gripping part 11.

[0019] Since the projection 26 and the infrared sensor 22 are located close together, the operator can easily and accurately measure the temperature at the measurement location by using the projection 26 as a sight and aligning it with the measurement area of ​​the object MT being measured. Furthermore, since the distance sensor 24 is also positioned near the infrared sensor 22, when the projection 26 is aimed at the measurement point, the distance to the measurement part of the object MT to be measured is automatically obtained correctly, thus contributing to highly accurate temperature measurement.

[0020] By the way, while widening the first surface 13 to enlarge the display area 16 can improve readability, if the infrared sensor 22 and the first opening 23 for it are provided on the second surface 14 side, the wider the first surface 13, the more difficult it becomes to recognize the position of the infrared sensor 22, which may cause anxiety to the operator or make accurate temperature measurement difficult. However, by adopting the above configuration, even if the first surface 13 is wide, the infrared sensor can be reliably and easily aligned with the measurement point of the object to be measured MT. In Figure 1, the projection 26 is provided on the third surface and formed in a part closer to the second surface 14. This allows the position of the projection 26 to be brought closer to the object to be measured MT, contributing to accurate measurement. However, the position of the projection 26 may be any position on the third surface 15 in the direction from the first surface 13 to the second surface 14, as long as it does not impair its function as a sight, or it may be a rod-shaped projection that extends from the first surface to the second surface.

[0021] In other words, by positioning the first opening 23 on the second surface 14 along the outer perimeter 12 of the main body 10 opposite the gripping portion 11, and providing the aiming portion 50 on the outer periphery of the main body 10 near the first opening 23, even if the infrared sensor 22 is on the side of the second surface 14 that cannot be directly seen by the operator, the direction and position of the infrared sensor 22 can be appropriately aligned with the measurement location by aligning the position where the aiming portion 50 is visible with the position where the measurement location of the object to be measured is visible. This makes it possible to easily and accurately measure temperature.

[0022] The main body 10 and the gripping portion 11 are formed from, for example, a resin case member. As shown in Figure 2, the projection 26 that forms the aiming portion 50 is integrally formed with the main body 10 from the resin case member. However, the projection 26 may be constructed as a separate component and fixed to the main body 10.

[0023] By arranging the display unit 16 and the operation unit 21 on the first surface 13, arranging the first opening 23 that guides infrared rays to the infrared sensor 22 on the second surface 14, and providing the aiming unit 50 near the first opening 23, the thickness dimension of the main body 10 (the maximum distance from the first surface 13 to the second surface 14) can be made as thin as, for example, the thickness dimension of the gripping part 11 that houses the AA battery (the dimension in the direction from the first surface 13 to the second surface 14). This enables easy and accurate temperature measurement while also achieving a lightweight design, providing a portable temperature measuring device 100 that is easy to use in everyday life.

[0024] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram for the use of Embodiment 1. Figure 3(a) is an explanatory side view when measuring the body temperature of a person as the object to be measured using the portable temperature measuring device 100, and Figure 3(b) is an explanatory front view. As shown in Figure 3, the operator (not shown) holds the portable temperature measuring device 100 in their hand and brings it in front of the face of the object to be measured MT, aligning the projection 26 with the forehead, which is the measurement point. In this case, the operator can visually confirm the measurement result with the portable temperature measuring device 100 aligned with the measurement point after taking the temperature, thus providing excellent operability.

[0025] Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram used in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4, the portable temperature measuring device 100 includes a processor 40, a storage unit 43 consisting of a memory 41, storage 42, etc., an input / output interface 44, and a communication interface 45. The input / output interface 44 includes an infrared sensor 22, a distance sensor 24, an operation unit 21, a display unit 16, and a warning unit 32 consisting of a buzzer or a warning LED. The input / output interface 44 may also include an identification code reading unit for the object to be measured MT (not shown). These elements are connected to a bus BS.

[0026] Memory 41 stores temperature measurement data and identification code data. Storage 42 stores programs that cause the processor 40 to control the portable temperature measuring device 100 and perform various functions, as well as initial data for operation. Communication I / F 45 is an interface that communicates with external devices such as smartphones (smart terminals). Communication I / F 45 may have, for example, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication functionality. Through communication via Communication I / F 45, temperature data and identification code data stored in memory 41 can be transmitted to external devices. External devices such as smartphones may also have the function to transmit this data to a cloud server via wireless communication.

[0027] Furthermore, each component of the hardware configuration 110 is powered by a battery 31, such as a dry cell battery or a rechargeable battery. Commercial power may also be used if necessary. The processor 40 may have a function to display the measurement result of the infrared sensor 22 on the display unit 16 when the push button 17 for temperature measurement is operated and the distance to the object to be measured MT measured by the distance sensor 24 is within an appropriate range, and a function to issue a warning with a buzzer or a warning unit 32 using a light-emitting element when the distance to the object to be measured MT is outside an appropriate range.

[0028] [Embodiment 2] Figure 5 shows a portable temperature measuring device 200 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 5(a) is a front view of the portable temperature measuring device 200, and Figure 5(b) is a rear view. Except for the aiming unit 50, the configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1, so the explanation of the common parts will be omitted.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, in the portable temperature measuring device 200 according to Embodiment 2, a recess 51 is provided as the aiming part 50, extending from the first surface 13 to the second surface 14. The "aiming part" of Embodiment 2 is configured as a recess 51 that curves inward from the outer periphery 12. In the case of the recess 51, the measurement point can be viewed from the recess 51, making it easier to recognize the accuracy of the measurement position. In addition, the aiming part 50 and the first opening 23 can be brought even closer together compared to the case of the projection 26.

[0030] [Embodiment 3] Figure 6 shows a portable temperature measuring device 300 according to Embodiment 3. Figure 6(a) is a front view of the portable temperature measuring device 300, and Figure 6(b) is a rear view. Since the configuration is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the aiming unit 50, the explanation of the common parts will be omitted.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, in the portable temperature measuring device 300 according to Embodiment 3, a marker 52 is provided near the outer edge 12 of the first surface 13, within the surface of the first surface 13, as the aiming part 50. The "aiming part" of Embodiment 3 is configured in the form of a marker 52 provided on the surface within the first surface 13. This marker 52 may be a colored area created by printing or attaching a film, or it may be a recess or protrusion provided on the first surface 13. The structure is simplified because there is no need to provide a part that protrudes from the outer circumference of the main body 10 or a large recess that extends from the first surface 13 to the second surface 14.

[0032] [Embodiment 4] Figure 7 shows a portable temperature measuring device 400 according to Embodiment 4. Figure 7(a) is a front view of the portable temperature measuring device 400, Figure 7(b) is a rear view, and Figure 7(c) is a left side view. Since the configuration is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the aiming unit 50, the explanation of the common parts will be omitted.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, in the portable temperature measuring device 400 according to Embodiment 4, a projection 53 is provided on the surface near the outer periphery 12 within the second surface 14 as the aiming part 50. The projection 53 is formed by protruding from the outer periphery of the second surface beyond the third surface. Since the projection 53 can be positioned close to the object to be measured MT, the accuracy of the measurement position can be improved. In addition, since the projection 53 is provided at a position away from the operator, there is the advantage that the operator does not feel pressured.

[0034] [Differentiation] (1) In the above description of each embodiment, the first opening 23 and the aiming part 50 are located on the outer circumference of the main body 10 opposite the gripping part 11, on a virtual center line CL along the extending direction of the gripping part 11. At this position, the center of the main body 10 is aligned with the object to be measured MT, so measurement can be performed in the most natural way. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the positions of the first aperture 23 (infrared sensor 22) and the aiming unit 50 may be offset to the left or right from the virtual center line CL, and in this case as well, the same function and effect as aiming can be obtained.

[0035] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the outer periphery of the first surface 13 of the main body 10 was made substantially circular. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the outer periphery of the first surface 13 of the main body 10 may be an ellipse, square, rhombus, or any other shape that provides sufficient surface area, and in this case as well, the same effects and advantages as described above can be obtained.

[0036] (3) In the embodiments described above, a thermometer for measuring human temperature was used as an example of a portable temperature measuring device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any device that measures the temperature of an object. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 10...Main body, 11...Grip, 12...Outer perimeter, 13...First surface, 14...Second surface, 15...Third surface, 16...Display unit, 17,18,20...Push buttons, 19...Ring button, 21...Operation unit, 22...Infrared sensor, 23...First opening, 24...Distance sensor, 24a...Light-emitting element, 24b...Light-receiving element, 25...Second opening, 26...Protrusion, 30...Circuit board, 31...Battery, 32...Warning unit, 33,34...Waveguide, 33a,34a...Opening, 40...Processor, 41...Memory, 42...Storage, 43...Memory unit, 44...Input / Output I / F, 45...Communication I / F, 50...Aiming unit, 51...Recess, 52...Marker, 53...Protrusion, 100,200,300,400...Portable temperature measuring device

Claims

1. A portable temperature measuring device comprising a main body and a gripping part having an infrared sensor inside, The main body comprises a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, a display unit and an operating unit disposed on the first surface, a first opening disposed on the second surface for guiding infrared rays to the infrared sensor, and a aiming unit for aiming at the measurement point of the object to be measured. A portable temperature measuring device characterized in that, when viewed from the first surface side, the width of the first surface is greater than the width of the gripping portion in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the gripping portion, the first opening is located near the outer periphery of the main body opposite to the gripping portion, and the aiming portion is provided on the outer periphery of the main body near the first opening when the first surface is viewed from above.

2. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first opening and the aiming portion are located on a virtual center line along the extending direction of the gripping portion.

3. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that any radial dimension including the center of the first surface is greater than the dimension of the maximum distance between the first surface and the second surface.

4. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aiming part is a projection that protrudes outward from the outer periphery.

5. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aiming portion is a recess that curves inward from the outer periphery.

6. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aiming part is a mark provided on a surface within the first plane.

7. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the first aspect, the operating unit is located between the display unit and the gripping unit.

8. The main body has a distance sensor inside which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are included. The portable temperature measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a second opening is provided near the first opening on the second surface for guiding light to the distance sensor.

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