Dual Temperature Sensor with Spring-Loaded Skin Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual temperature sensors for measuring body core temperature are not easily disposable and may not provide optimal adaptation to the skin's curvature, leading to suboptimal contact and measurement accuracy, especially in medical applications where hygiene and precise temperature monitoring are critical.
Innovation Solution
A dual temperature sensor design featuring a sensor block with a spring element integrated into a thermal insulation element, an adhesive layer, and connection cables that minimize heat loss, allowing for better skin contact and precise temperature measurement, with the option to be disposable for hygiene purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dual temperature sensor uses a rigid housing structure, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to skin curvature is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a rigid sensor block for precise manufacturing and a separate flexible holding element for adaptation. The sensor block contains the temperature sensors and is manufactured with precision, while the holding element made of elastomeric material provides flexibility to conform to skin curvature, resolving the contradiction between structural precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element acts as an intermediary between the rigid sensor block and the skin surface. It transfers the sensor block to the skin while providing the necessary flexibility and conformability, allowing the rigid sensor block to maintain its manufacturing precision while the system as a whole adapts to skin curvature through the flexible intermediary.
2Ease of operation
If connection cables are placed outside the thermal insulation element, then ease of operation is improved, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection cables are nested within the thermal insulation element, which provides thermal protection while allowing the cables to pass through. This nesting arrangement protects the cables from heat loss to the environment while maintaining accessibility for connection purposes, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation element serves as an intermediary that allows cable passage while providing thermal protection. It mediates between the need for cable accessibility and the requirement to minimize heat loss, enabling cables to extend outward for connection while the insulated portion minimizes thermal energy loss.
3Reliability
If a disposable sensor design is used, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical attachment to the skin, thermal insulation for the sensor block, and structural support for the connection cables. This merging of functions into one disposable component achieves hygiene requirements without proportionally increasing complexity, as the integrated design simplifies manufacturing and disposal compared to multiple separate components.
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 design ensures optimal adaptation to the skin's curvature, providing better handling and more accurate temperature measurement while minimizing heat loss and allowing for easy application and disposal, enhancing hygiene in medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element acting on the sensor block, the spring force of which is directed in the direction of the skin surface
Implementation Method 2
the holding element forms a unit with a thermal insulation element, which protects the sensor block from lateral heat loss
Implementation Method 3
an adhesive layer for fixing the holding element on the skin surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Dual temperature sensor for determining core body temperature, comprising at least a first temperature sensor element for measuring a surface temperature of the ambient air, a second temperature sensor element for measuring a temperature of the skin surface, wherein the first and the second temperature sensor elements are arranged in a sensor block, a retaining element at least partially surrounding the sensor block, an adhesive element for fixing the retaining element to the skin surface and a spring element acting on the sensor block, the spring force of which is directed towards the skin surface.