Electronic Thermometer Electrostatic Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic thermometers face issues with detecting contact with a human body accurately without causing electrical influence or damaging internal parts due to static electricity, and may experience errors from non-human body contacts or uncomfortable user experiences with protruding switches or electrodes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic thermometer with a hollow probe containing a temperature sensor and internal electrodes to determine contact through changes in electrostatic capacity, avoiding direct electrical contact with the body and allowing for antistatic measures, featuring a pair of electrodes arranged in the probe's hollow to sense appropriate contact with the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are arranged on the probe surface to sense contact state through electrostatic capacity change, then contact detection capability is improved, but electrical influence on the human body increases and static electricity may break internal parts
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are nested inside the hollow probe structure rather than being exposed on the outer surface. The probe housing acts as a protective enclosure that isolates the electrodes from direct contact with the human body while still allowing electrostatic capacity sensing to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe housing serves as an intermediary barrier between the electrodes and the human body. It allows the electrostatic field to interact with the body for sensing purposes while preventing direct electrical contact and protecting against static electricity damage.
2Measurement precision
If a protruding switch or electrode is placed near the probe to sense contact, then contact state detection is enabled, but user comfort deteriorates when the switch or electrode touches the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is completely enclosed within the hollow probe structure, eliminating any protruding elements that would directly touch the human body. The sensing function is maintained through electrostatic capacity changes while the nested structure ensures user comfort.
3Measurement precision
If the probe uses a switch or contact resistance method to sense contact, then contact detection is achieved, but detection errors occur due to contact with portions other than the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensing methods (switches, contact resistance) with an electrostatic capacity-based sensing method. This substitution allows contact detection without physical contact, eliminating false positives from non-human body contacts while maintaining reliable detection of actual body contact.
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 design allows for accurate detection of contact with the human body without electrical influence, preventing damage from static electricity and improving measurement accuracy by ensuring proper contact, even for users of varying sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a determining unit for determining whether the temperature measuring unit is in appropriate contact with a measurement target portion of a user or not, based on a change in electrostatic capacity sensed using the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic thermometer includes a hollow probe provided at its longitudinal tip with a temperature measuring unit having a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature, electrodes neighboring to the temperature sensor and arranged in the hollow of the probe, and a determining unit for determining whether temperature measuring unit is in appropriate contact with a measurement target portion of a user or not, based on a change in electrostatic capacity sensed using the electrodes.