Infrared Measuring System with Distance Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared measuring systems for contact-free determination of two-dimensional temperature information lack the ability to accurately evaluate temperature data with geometric variables such as distance and area, making it difficult to interpret and utilize the thermal images effectively for applications like identifying thermal bridges or insulation issues.

Innovation Solution

An infrared measuring system equipped with an infrared detector array and a distance determination device, which uses a combination of pixel-sensitive elements and evaluation software to process detection signals and distance information, allowing for the evaluation of two-dimensional temperature information with regard to geometric variables like distance and area, and overlaying this information onto the thermal image for intuitive display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If infrared measuring systems use only temperature detection without distance information, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to evaluate thermal images with geometric variables is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoidgeometric information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines infrared temperature detection with optical distance measurement in a single integrated system. The distance measuring device (laser rangefinder) and infrared detector array are merged into one measuring system, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both temperature and distance data for the same scene, thereby preserving geometric information while maintaining temperature measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation device serves as an intermediary that processes both raw temperature data from the infrared detector and distance data from the laser rangefinder. It combines these two types of information and applies geometric corrections to produce accurate temperature evaluations with respect to distance and area, bridging the gap between thermal detection and geometric measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If infrared measuring systems integrate distance determination and geometric evaluation, then the ability to evaluate thermal images with geometric variables improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric information retentionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data processor for temperature information and as a geometric calculator for distance and area evaluations. This universal component handles multiple tasks (temperature calibration, distance correction, area calculation) within a single device, reducing the need for separate specialized components and minimizing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with optical and electronic methods. Instead of using mechanical scales or physical rulers in the scene, the system uses laser-based optical distance measurement and electronic image processing to determine geometric variables, simplifying the physical structure while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If geometric variables are superimposed onto thermal images, then the intuitiveness and interpretability of thermal data improves, but the processing and evaluation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal image interpretabilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation device performs preliminary processing of both temperature and distance data before final image generation. It pre-calculates geometric corrections, distance compensations, and area scaling factors that are then automatically applied during image rendering. This preliminary action simplifies the final display process and reduces real-time processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 precise and intuitive examination of thermal images by superimposing geometric variables like distance and area onto the thermal data, facilitating the identification of thermal anomalies and insulation issues, and providing a comprehensive understanding of thermal distribution and energy losses.

Implementation Method 1

Temperature measurement using an infrared-sensitive thermometer is based on the detection of thermal radiation, i.e., infrared radiation in a wavelength range between 3 μη and 50 μη, which is emitted by every object with varying intensity depending on its temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The surface temperature of the emitting body or an emitting scene can be determined from the measured thermal radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3516355A1Method for determining two-dimensional temperature information without contact, and infrared measuring system
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a two-dimensional temperature information (12) of a scene (14) without contact, in particular for determining a thermal image (12a) of a scene (14) without contact, by means of an infrared measuring system (10), which method has at least the following method steps: measuring infrared radiation by means of an infrared detector array (44) of the infrared measuring system (10), which comprises a multiplicity of pixels (52) that are sensitive to infrared radiation, determining two-dimensional temperature information (12), in particular a thermal image (12a), from measured infrared radiation, determining distance information (36) between the infrared measuring system (10) and the scene (14) by means of a distance determining device (34) of the infrared measuring system (10). According to the invention, the two-dimensional temperature information (12), in particular the thermal image (12a), is evaluated with regard to a geometric variable by using the distance information (36). The invention further relates to a corresponding infrared measuring system (10).