Dual-Sensor Ear Thermometer for Spatial Error Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ear thermometers are prone to measurement errors due to the use of a single infrared sensor, which can lead to inaccuracies in body temperature readings.
Innovation Solution
The ear thermometer employs two infrared sensors, a first sensor positioned at the focal point of a concave surface and a second sensor positioned deeper, along with linearizers and converters to process temperature data, to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single infrared sensor is used to measure eardrum temperature, then the device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to potential errors in body temperature readings
Solution Approach 1:
The single infrared sensor is divided into two separate infrared sensors (first and second sensors), each positioned at different locations within the probe. This segmentation allows independent measurement of temperature at different positions, enabling error suppression through differential measurement while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular sensor placement
2Measurement precision
If two infrared sensors are positioned at different locations, then measurement precision is improved through error suppression, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor placement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second infrared sensors are positioned at specific local positions within the probe - the first sensor at a first position and the second sensor at a second position different from the first. This local quality approach places each sensor in an optimal location to capture temperature variations, improving measurement precision through spatial differentiation while organizing complexity through deliberate positional arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by comparing temperature measurements from two different sensor positions. The controller processes both temperature values and uses the differential information to suppress measurement errors, with the feedback mechanism enabling error correction based on the relationship between measurements at different locations
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 configuration suppresses measurement errors, enabling more accurate body temperature measurements by utilizing the differential infrared absorption and spatial temperature readings from the sensors.
Implementation Method 1
measuring first temperature data indicating a temperature at a first position by the first sensor
Implementation Method 2
measuring second temperature data indicating a temperature at a second position different from the first position by the second sensor
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An ear thermometer (E1) includes a probe (PB) including an infrared sensor unit for measuring a temperature of an eardrum of an ear of a temperature measurement target parson in a non-contact manner, the probe (PB) attached to an ear hole of the temperature measurement target parson. The probe (PB) includes a probe body (20) inserted into the ear hole of the temperature measurement target parson, a housing (10) for supporting the probe body (20); and an in-ear type earpiece (12) attached to the probe body(20) and abutting on an inside of the ear hole of the temperature measurement target person. The infrared sensor unit includes a first sensor (SN1) and a second sensor (SN2) arranged in the probe body (20) and spaced apart by a predetermined distance along a direction substantially orthogonal to the eardrum when the probe body (20) is inserted into the ear hole of the temperature measurement target person.