Handheld Environmental Sensor for Thermal Resistance Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining a material's thermal resistance are often cumbersome, expensive, and require laboratory settings, making it difficult for consumers to assess thermal properties of materials in everyday situations, such as choosing suitable garments or building materials.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld measurement device that uses non-thermal energy sources like acoustic and infrared measurements, along with environmental sensors, to determine thermal properties and assess the suitability of materials and environments for comfort and sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory methods are used to measure thermal resistance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal measurement systems with acoustic and infrared measurement systems. Specifically, acoustic waves are transmitted through the material and the transmission characteristics are analyzed to determine thermal properties, while infrared radiation patterns are used to assess thermal characteristics. This substitution of measurement methodologies reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified measurement system that replicates the essential measurement function of complex laboratory equipment. By using acoustic and infrared signals as proxies for direct thermal measurement, the system captures thermal resistance information indirectly through signal transmission characteristics, effectively copying the measurement outcome with simpler means.
2Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory methods are used to measure thermal resistance, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device is designed to be self-contained and portable, allowing consumers to perform thermal resistance measurements independently without requiring laboratory facilities or specialized equipment. The device integrates all necessary components (acoustic emitter, infrared sensor, processor) into a single handheld unit that consumers can operate directly on materials of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing cumbersome thermal measurement apparatus with compact acoustic and infrared sensing components, the system becomes portable and user-friendly. The acoustic emitter and infrared sensor can be integrated into small form factors that fit in consumer hands, eliminating the need for large laboratory setups while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If non-thermal energy sources are used for measurement, then ease of operation and affordability are improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic waves and infrared radiation as intermediary carriers to probe thermal properties of materials. The acoustic transmission characteristics and infrared radiation patterns serve as mediators that interact with the material's thermal structure, allowing indirect measurement of thermal resistance with high precision through signal analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures multiple parameters (acoustic transmission frequency, infrared radiation intensity, signal phase) and uses processed combinations of these parameters to determine thermal resistance. By changing and analyzing multiple measurement parameters simultaneously, the system achieves high precision thermal property measurement using non-thermal energy sources.
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
Enables consumers to easily and affordably measure thermal resistance and assess environmental suitability, providing accurate and practical solutions for material selection and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A portable, handheld measurement device that uses non-thermal energy sources like acoustic and infrared measurements
Implementation Method 2
A portable, handheld measurement device that uses non-thermal energy sources like acoustic and infrared measurements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices, and circuitries are provided for determining environmental characteristics. In one embodiment, a measurement device includes a housing. The housing includes a first member and a second member, where the first member and the second member are attached to one another by a clamping mechanism. A handle mechanism is connected to the clamping mechanism, where the clamping mechanism is between the handle mechanism and the first and second members. The handle mechanism has a first handle portion arranged over a second handle portion, and the first handle portion is separated from the second handle portion by a gap. A first environmental sensor is disposed within one of the first member or the second member, and a second environmental sensor is disposed within or protruding from the housing.