Distance Sensor for Non-Contact Temperature Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-contact thermometers face accuracy issues when the object does not fill the field of view of the temperature sensor, as radiation from unknown sources skews the temperature measurement.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a temperature sensor with a distance sensor, which uses a light source and photodetector to determine the distance between the sensor and the object, ensuring accurate temperature measurement by verifying if the object completely fills the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-contact temperature measurement is performed without distance verification, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to radiation from unknown sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs distance measurement using the distance sensor before conducting temperature measurement. This preliminary action verifies that the target object is at the appropriate distance and fills the field of view, preventing measurement errors from unknown radiation sources while maintaining efficient operation through automated verification
2Measurement precision
If distance measurement is added to verify field of view coverage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor and temperature sensor are integrated into a single measurement system with a shared processing unit. The distance sensor uses a light source and photodetector configuration that can be spatially and functionally combined with the infrared temperature sensing components, reducing overall system complexity while improving measurement precision
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 system ensures accurate temperature measurements by determining if the object is within a threshold distance, preventing radiation from unknown sources from affecting the reading and providing a confidence interval for measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector configured to detect light having wavelengths that correspond to those generated by the light source
Implementation Method 2
a thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a temperature sensor and a distance sensor. The distance sensor provides an indication of distance between the temperature sensor and an object to be measured. By determining the distance between the temperature sensor and the object, the system determines whether the object is sufficiently close to the temperature sensor to make an accurate temperature measurement, such as by determining whether the object completely fills the field of view of the sensor. In an implementation, the distance sensor includes a light source and a photodetector configured to detect light having wavelengths that correspond to those generated by the light source.