Electronic Quality Indicator with Thermochromic Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic quality indicators lack effective visual indicators for temperature exceedance thresholds, particularly for low temperatures, and do not provide both machine-readable and human-readable outputs efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An electronic quality indicator with a heat-responsive visually sensible display using thermochromic materials, which changes appearance upon temperature exceedance, providing both machine-readable and human-readable indications through a barcode system, and includes a mechanism to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic temperature sensing circuitry is used to detect temperature thresholds, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thermochromic materials that change color in response to temperature changes, providing a visual indication of temperature threshold exceedance without requiring complex electronic display circuits. This maintains the electronic sensing capability while simplifying the output mechanism through passive optical response.
2Illumination intensity
If a heat-responsive visually sensible display using thermochromic materials is implemented, then visual indication of temperature exceedance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermochromic materials automatically respond to temperature changes through intrinsic physical properties, eliminating the need for active control systems, power consumption, or complex electronics to drive the visual indication. The system serves itself by converting thermal energy directly into visual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of thermochromic materials, which undergo reversible physical changes in response to temperature variations. This phase transition mechanism provides reliable visual feedback while maintaining system simplicity, as the material's inherent physical properties perform the indication function.
3Loss of information
If both machine-readable and human-readable outputs are provided through barcode system, then information accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode element serves dual functions: it provides machine-readable data for automated scanning and tracking systems, while simultaneously serving as a visual indicator for human inspection. The same structural feature accomplishes both information storage and visual indication purposes, reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If irreversible visual changes are implemented to indicate temperature exceedance, then reliability of indication is improved, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indication function from the reusable electronic component and places it in a disposable or replaceable indicator element. This allows the main electronic sensing circuitry to remain reusable while the visual indication component can be replaced after irreversible changes, maintaining system adaptability through modular design.
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 solution effectively indicates temperature exceedance with irreversible visual changes, providing both machine-readable and human-readable outputs, ensuring visibility of exposure to unacceptable conditions even after the condition has passed.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-responsive visually sensible display which is responsive to the at least one threshold exceedance output for providing at least one visually sensible indication
Data Source
AI summary
A visually sensible indicator of temperature including electronic temperature sensing circuitry sensing at least when a temperature exceeds at least one predetermined temperature threshold and providing at least one corresponding threshold exceedance output which is sensible as heat and a heat-responsive visually sensible display which is responsive to the at least one threshold exceedance output for providing at least one visually sensible indication indicating that the temperature has exceeded the predetermined temperature threshold.