Infrared Sensor Temperature Estimation with Emissivity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the temperature of contents in a container, such as in household appliances, lack precision and efficiency, as they fail to accurately account for the emissivity of the container wall and ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with an infrared sensor and a computing unit that uses correction data to adjust the emissivity of the container wall, allowing for precise estimation of the content temperature by calculating the difference between the sensor temperature, ambient temperature, and adjusted emissivity, thereby improving temperature determination accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an infrared sensor is used to measure container wall temperature, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate emissivity accounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the emissivity parameter based on container wall material properties and environmental conditions. The processing unit modifies the emissivity value in the Stefan-Boltzmann calculation according to detected parameters such as container material type, wall color, and ambient temperature, thereby improving temperature measurement precision while maintaining reliability across different operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If correction data is incorporated into the temperature calculation, then temperature estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing correction data in a database before actual temperature measurement operations. The correction data, which includes calibration factors and material-specific parameters, is prepared and stored in advance. During operation, the processing unit simply retrieves the appropriate correction data from storage and applies it to the temperature calculation, thereby improving accuracy without significantly increasing real-time processing complexity.
3Reliability
If the infrared sensor is placed outside the container, then the sensor is protected from contamination, but the measurement of contents temperature becomes less direct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using the container wall as a mediator between the external infrared sensor and the internal contents. The sensor measures the thermal radiation emitted by the container wall, and the processing unit calculates the contents temperature by accounting for the thermal conduction characteristics and emissivity properties of the wall material. This indirect measurement approach, combined with correction data, enables accurate contents temperature determination while keeping the sensor protected from direct contact with contents.
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 reliable and precise operation of household appliances by continuously monitoring and adjusting the content temperature, enhancing the quality of processed foodstuffs through accurate temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the IR sensor can be configured to acquire sensor data relating to the emission of infrared radiation from the container wall
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A device (200) for determining an estimated value of the contents temperature (TI) of the contents (204) of a container (104) is described. The device (200) comprises the container (104) with a container wall that at least partially encloses the contents (204). Furthermore, the device (200) comprises an infrared sensor (110) directed at the container wall and configured to acquire sensor data (210) relating to the container wall temperature (Tw). The device also comprises a processing unit (101) configured to determine the estimated contents temperature (TI) of the contents (204) of the container (104) based on the sensor data (210) and correction data (300).