Infrared-Transmitting Cover Structure for Eardrum Thermometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eardrum thermometers face challenges in protecting the sensor from earwax and water while maintaining accurate infrared detection and ensuring waterproof reliability, which affects detection sensitivity and durability.
Innovation Solution
A cover structure comprising a cover made of polyethylene or polypropylene that transmits infrared light and is adhered tightly to a supporting part using a heat shrinkable tube, ensuring waterproofing and secure attachment to the sensor, while a heat shrinkable tube seals gaps to prevent water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is provided to protect the sensor from earwax and water, then sensor protection and waterproof reliability are improved, but detection sensitivity may deteriorate due to potential interference with infrared light transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is made of a material with specific local properties: it is opaque to visible light (protecting the sensor) but transparent to infrared light (allowing detection). This selective transparency at different wavelengths resolves the contradiction between protection and detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover material's optical parameters are specifically selected to transmit infrared wavelengths while blocking visible light. By changing the material's optical properties to be wavelength-selective, the cover protects the sensor without interfering with infrared detection.
2Reliability
If a cover is adhered tightly to the supporting part using adhesive, then waterproof reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional adhesion steps
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesion function and the cover structure are merged into a single integrated component. The cover itself has adhesive properties that allow it to bond directly to the supporting part, eliminating the need for separate adhesive layers or additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover material's surface parameters are modified to possess adhesive properties. By changing the material parameters to include adhesion capability, the cover can be directly bonded to the supporting part, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining waterproof reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is exposed without a cover, then detection sensitivity is maintained, but the sensor is vulnerable to earwax contamination and water damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cover material has differentiated local properties: it is transparent to infrared light where the sensor needs to detect, but opaque to visible light and contaminants where protection is needed. This spatial and spectral differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of sensitivity and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary element between the sensor and the external environment (earwax, water). It mediates by allowing beneficial infrared radiation to pass through while blocking harmful contaminants, thus protecting the sensor without isolating it from necessary detection.
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 enhances sensor protection, maintains detection sensitivity, and allows continuous, accurate temperature measurement by preventing rust and improving waterproof reliability, contributing to miniaturization and cost reduction.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesion part that is formed of a shrinkable material and adheres tightly, by shrinkage, to the cover and a supporting part that supports the sensor
Implementation Method 2
a thermometer including a probe to be inserted into an ear canal of a human ear, and a sensor provided near a distal end of the probe so as to face an eardrum... The sensor detects infrared light emitted from the vicinity of the eardrum
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device of the present invention includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an eardrum of a human, a supporting member including a columnar portion, to a distal end of which the temperature sensor is attached, a cover that covers the temperature sensor, and a heat shrinkable tube that adheres tightly to a peripheral wall of the cover and a side surface of the columnar portion in a state in which the heat shrinkable tube is shrunk after being heated.