Compact Forehead Thermometer with Infrared Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermometer devices for measuring body core temperature face challenges such as unhygienic methods, accuracy issues with forehead scanning, bulkiness, and impracticality for self-measurements, especially for individuals with medical contraindications or hearing aids, and difficulties in obtaining accurate readings from the temporal artery area.
Innovation Solution
A compact thermometer device with a stationary design that applies directly to the temporal region, using an array of infrared sensors for accurate peak temperature detection, providing audio/vibratory feedback, and analyzing signals to locate the temporal artery, while being easy to use and sanitize, with features like a wireless interface for user profiles and a small, cylindrical shape for easy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sweeping thermometer device is used to measure forehead temperature, then the measurement can be performed, but the accuracy is reduced because the device must be spaced from the skin to allow cross movement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the device across the forehead to locate the temporal artery, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the device stationary and having the user move their hand or head to bring the temporal artery into contact with the sensor array. This eliminates the spacing requirement and improves measurement accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary approach where the user's hand or head movement serves as the mediator to position the temporal artery under the stationary sensor array. This allows accurate measurement without requiring the device itself to move or be spaced from the skin.
2Measurement precision
If the device is designed with a large sensing region for accurate temporal artery detection, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a traditional linear or planar sensor arrangement to a three-dimensional sensor array configured in a cylindrical or spherical volume. This allows the sensing region to extend in multiple dimensions, providing accurate temporal artery detection while keeping the overall device footprint compact. The sensor array is arranged to detect temperature variations from different angles and depths simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array is nested within a compact housing structure, with the sensing elements arranged in a space-efficient configuration. The cylindrical or spherical sensor arrangement allows the large sensing region to be contained within a small overall device volume, eliminating the trade-off between sensing area and device size.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a probe cover is provided for ear thermometer hygiene, then sanitation is improved, but the method remains unhygienic and contaminated by ear canal dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the problematic ear canal environment and relocates it to the temporal artery area on the forehead. This eliminates contact with the ear canal and its contaminants, providing both hygienic measurement and reliable temperature reading without the need for probe covers or protective barriers.
4Reliability
If the device is designed for stationary application on the temporal region, then usability and measurement reliability improve, but the device must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates self-positioning features such as a movable jaw or clamping mechanism that automatically adjusts to fit the user's temporal region. The sensor array is designed to maintain optimal contact with the temporal artery regardless of slight position variations, and the device can detect when proper contact is made, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while ensuring reliable measurements.
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 device offers fast, accurate, and user-friendly body core temperature measurements, improved usability, and increased reliability, along with the ability to assess vascular diffusion for conditions like fever or stress, all while being compact and easy to handle.
Implementation Method 1
an array of at least N infra-red sensors, with N greater than 8
Implementation Method 2
the infra-red sensors are thermopiles
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8C
AI summary
A thermometer device (10) for temporal artery area measurement, configured to be used in a skin-touching stationary position, comprising an elongated body (1) and a front portion (4) having an end border (6) arranged on a sensing plane (P), an array of N infra-red sensors (2), with N greater than 8, a sensing region (SR) extending in the sensing plane over an area denoted SRA, at a distance denoted LF from a plane P2 containing the infra-red sensors, the sensing region being encompassed within the border of the front end, an optical lens (3), interposed between the infra-red sensors and the sensing region, to deviate light rays, wherein LF2 < K x SRA, with K =3.