Non-contact Temperature Measurement with Distance Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional non-contact infrared thermometers suffer from measurement errors due to varying distances between the device and the target, leading to uncertainties in temperature readings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a distance sensor unit, alarm unit, temperature sensor unit, microprocessor unit, and display unit, which allow setting a predetermined distance value, measuring the target's distance, giving an alarm when reached, and then measuring and displaying the temperature, thereby reducing errors and uncertainties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If non-contact temperature measurement is performed without controlling distance, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidtemperature measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the distance to the target before performing temperature measurement. The distance sensor unit measures the target distance, and the microprocessor unit compares this distance with a predetermined distance value to determine whether to proceed with temperature measurement. This preliminary distance check ensures that measurements are only taken at the correct distance, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the speed advantage of non-contact measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If distance control mechanism is added to ensure measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using the microprocessor unit to perform multiple functions: it processes distance signals from the distance sensor unit, compares the measured distance with predetermined values, controls the alarm unit to indicate correct distance, and processes temperature signals from the temperature sensor unit. By making the microprocessor unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated control circuits, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables more accurate and quicker temperature measurements by ensuring consistent distance settings, reducing measurement errors and uncertainties.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation emitter and receiver device for emitting a radiation... an infrared emitter and receiver device includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver... the infrared receiver is for receiving the radiation reflected from the target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

non-contact temperature measurement apparatuses using infrared radiation... the temperature sensor unit measures a target's temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2045590B1Method and apparatus for non-contact temperature measurement
Publication Date: 2014.06.11 AVITA CORP
  • EP2045590B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2045590B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2045590B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This invention provides an apparatus for non-contact temperature measurement including a distance sensor unit, an alarm unit, a temperature sensor unit, a microprocessor unit and a display unit. The distance sensor unit measures the distance between the apparatus and a target. The alarm unit gives an alarm when the distance sensor unit measures a predetermined distance value. The temperature sensor unit measures a temperature of the target after the alarm unit gives the alarm. The microprocessor unit stores data of the predetermined distance value and the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor unit; the microprocessor unit also processes a distance signal emitted by the distance sensor unit and a temperature signal emitted by the temperature sensor unit. When the target's distance value equals the predetermined distance value, the microprocessor unit will further send a command for the alarm unit to give an alarm. The display unit of the apparatus displays the temperature value that is measured by the temperature sensor unit and processed by the microprocessor unit subsequently.