Microsphere Reflector Homogeneous Calibration Thermal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal imaging devices face challenges in achieving a homogeneous temperature distribution for calibration due to the large size and high manufacturing precision requirements of known reflectors, which result in non-uniform imaging properties among sensors.
Innovation Solution
A thermal imaging device with a reflector composed of microspheres, such as polymethylmetaacrylate or acrylic glass, that ensures diffuse reflection of thermal radiation, providing a low and homogeneous apparent temperature, and is arranged in a single layer or on a mirrored carrier film with gold vapor coating for optimal infrared radiation reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cube-corner reflectors are used for calibration, then the intrinsic temperature of the detector can be reflected onto the detection area, but the reflectors are large, require high manufacturing precision and do not produce a particularly homogeneous temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is segmented into multiple microspheres of different sizes distributed across the calibration surface. This segmentation allows the reflector to achieve homogeneous temperature distribution through diffuse reflection while reducing the overall size and manufacturing complexity compared to traditional cube-corner reflectors.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the reflector use microspheres with different sizes and properties to create locally optimized reflection characteristics. The variation in microsphere dimensions ensures homogeneous apparent temperature across the entire detection area while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional reflectors are used for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but they do not produce a homogeneous temperature distribution and require high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector utilizes microspheres with varying diameters (parameter change) to achieve homogeneous temperature distribution. This parameter variation allows the system to produce uniform apparent temperature across the detection area while reducing manufacturing precision requirements compared to traditional reflectors.
3Measurement precision
If the reflector is made with microspheres of different diameters, then the reflection is particularly diffuse and the apparent temperature is particularly homogeneous, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector incorporates microspheres with different diameters in specific local regions to optimize diffusion characteristics. This local variation in microsphere size achieves homogeneous apparent temperature while keeping the overall manufacturing process manageable through systematic distribution patterns.
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 microsphere reflector system allows for precise calibration by ensuring a uniform temperature distribution, reducing sensor variability and enabling effective correction of output signals, while being lightweight and mechanically stable, with adjustable reflection properties for varying temperature levels and wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector (12) for reflecting the thermal radiation of the detector (8) onto the detection area of the detector (8)
Implementation Method 2
The microspheres ensure a particularly diffuse reflection of the thermal radiation with a low overall height
Implementation Method 3
the microspheres are arranged on a carrier film and provided with a gold vapor coating. The gold vapor coating of the microspheres preferably causes a closed gold layer with a partially curved surface
Implementation Method 4
A thermal imaging device (1) has a cooled infrared detector (8) with a large number of individual sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The device (1) has a reflector (12) for reflecting thermal radiation of a cooled infrared detector (8) on a detection zone of the detector, where the reflector includes microspheres (3). The microspheres are arranged on a gold foil. The microspheres exhibit a diameter between 50 micrometers and 90 micrometers. A heating element e.g. Peltier element, is provided for heating the reflector. A distance of the reflector from the detector is variable. Two adjacent microspheres contact each other. The microspheres are formed of polymethylmethacrylate material.