IR Sensor Housing for Cooking Pot Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact temperature sensing devices for cooking utensils face challenges in reproducibility and accuracy due to dirt accumulation on the outer areas of the IR sensor, which are difficult to clean and can affect the transmission characteristics, leading to inconsistent temperature measurements.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensing device with a housing made of plastic to suppress heat conduction, featuring a non-contact IR sensor with a cover element and IR transmitted optics that are designed to be easily cleaned and maintained, ensuring accurate and reproducible temperature measurements by isolating the outer area from the IR sensor's field of view and using a heat-spreading element to maintain uniform temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the IR sensor is exposed to the outer area for non-contact temperature sensing, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but dirt accumulation on the outer area affects measurement accuracy and reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into two distinct areas: an inner area that is easily accessible for cleaning and an outer area that is shaded from the IR sensor. The housing structure creates a physical segmentation where the IR sensor only views the inner area, preventing dirt on the outer area from affecting measurements while maintaining non-contact temperature sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the housing with its specific geometry) that separates the cleaning-accessible inner area from the dirt-prone outer area. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator that allows the IR sensor to measure temperature through the transmitted optics while being protected from viewing dirt-contaminated surfaces.
2Reliability
If the outer area of the transmitted optics is made accessible for IR sensing, then temperature sensing capability is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases and dirt remains in the outer area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the necessary portion of the optical system (the inner area) accessible for cleaning, while the outer area remains protected and inaccessible. This localized accessibility ensures that the critical measurement path remains clean without requiring the entire outer surface to be cleanable, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of maintenance.
3Strength
If the housing is made of heat-conductive material for structural strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but heat conduction to the sensor increases causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat conduction problem from the housing structure by using heat-insulating materials for the housing that surrounds the IR sensor. This separation allows the housing to provide mechanical strength and protection while preventing heat conduction from affecting the sensor, thus maintaining both structural integrity and measurement precision.
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 provides improved reproducibility and precision in temperature sensing by preventing dirt accumulation and maintaining uniform temperature across the sensor, reducing measurement errors and ensuring consistent readings.
Implementation Method 1
a housing with an IR sensor arranged therein directed through an opening in the housing
Implementation Method 2
an IR permeable to IR radiation arranged in the opening in front of the IR sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A temperature sensing device (1) serves for non-contact sensing of the temperature of a cooking vessel (4) and comprises: a housing (6) with an IR sensor (8) arranged therein, directed through an opening (12) in the housing (6) and an IR transmitted light optic (17) arranged in the opening (12) in front of the IR sensor (8), which is transparent to IR radiation, wherein the IR transmitted light optic (17) has an inner region (17c) and an outer region (17d) surrounding it laterally, which outer region (17d) is shaded from the IR sensor (8) by means of the housing (6) and the outer region (17d) is at least partially exposed on a front side (17a) of the IR transmitted light optic (17).