Infrared Temperature Sensor Layout for Reduced Wiring Complexity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature monitoring devices for electric facilities face challenges in reducing size and managing increased wiring complexity when temperature detectors are positioned far from controllers or when additional detectors are added.

Innovation Solution

A temperature abnormality detection device utilizing a plurality of infrared temperature sensors connected by crossover wiring, allowing for compact design and wide-range temperature abnormality detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each temperature detector is connected in parallel to a controller with wiring, then the controller can receive temperature data from multiple detectors, but the amount of wiring increases and the device size cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection capabilityVSAvoidwiring amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple infrared temperature sensors are merged into a single integrated sensor unit that contains all sensor elements and their signal processing circuits. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate wiring connections from each sensor to the controller, as the integrated unit communicates through a single connection, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining detection capability and reducing wiring complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses multiple infrared temperature sensors for detecting temperatures at different locations, incorporates signal processing circuits for data acquisition and processing, and provides a unified communication interface to the controller. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain comprehensive temperature monitoring while minimizing wiring requirements

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a third temperature detector is added to monitor more areas, then the temperature monitoring coverage increases, but the wiring amount increases making it difficult to reduce size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring coverageVSAvoidwiring amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Additional temperature detectors are integrated into the existing sensor unit rather than being added as separate wired components. The integrated design allows multiple sensor elements to coexist within a single housing, expanding monitoring coverage without proportionally increasing wiring complexity, as all sensors communicate through the unified interface of the integrated unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If temperature detectors are positioned away from the controller, then the detection coverage area increases, but more wiring is required connecting the detectors to the controller

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverage areaVSAvoidwiring length
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple temperature sensors are combined into a single integrated unit that can be positioned at an optimal location for maximum detection coverage. This consolidation allows the entire sensor array to be placed away from the controller without requiring multiple long wiring runs, as the integrated unit communicates through a single connection, thereby extending detection coverage while minimizing wiring length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces wiring complexity, enabling a compact device capable of detecting temperature abnormalities over a wide range, while allowing for easy addition of infrared temperature sensors.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of infrared temperature sensors each capable of detecting temperature in a mutually different detection area of the equipment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4510401A1Temperature abnormality detection device
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 OMRON CORP
  • EP4510401A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4510401A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4510401A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A temperature abnormality detection device includes a plurality of infrared temperature sensors respectively capable of detecting temperature in a different detection area of an equipment, and a device body including a temperature abnormality determination unit that determines that the temperature in the detection area detected by each of the plurality of infrared temperature sensors is abnormal when the temperature in the detection area is higher than a reference temperature. The plurality of infrared temperature sensors is connected to each other by crossover wiring.