Preheated Thermometer Air-Permeable Barrier Oxidation Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable thermometers require a long time to measure body temperature due to the limited self-heating ability of the armpit, resulting in low measuring efficiency and discomfort during the process.
Innovation Solution
A preheating thermometer with a temperature measuring assembly and a preheating assembly that includes a heating material layer and a sealing film, allowing the heating material to react with air to generate heat and quickly raise the thermometer's temperature, reducing measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a conventional thermometer is placed in the armpit for measurement, then the body temperature can be measured, but the measurement time is long (more than 10 minutes) due to the large temperature difference between the thermometer and the armpit skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a heating assembly that pre-heats the thermometer before temperature measurement. The heating assembly includes a heating element that activates when the thermometer is placed in the armpit, rapidly raising the thermometer's temperature to match body temperature. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for long waiting periods (typically 10+ minutes) for the thermometer to naturally equilibrate to body temperature, thereby significantly reducing measurement time and improving measuring efficiency.
2Reliability
If the thermometer waits for natural heating in the armpit, then accurate body temperature can be obtained, but the user experiences discomfort during the prolonged measurement process
Solution Approach 1:
The heating assembly performs preliminary heating action to rapidly bring the thermometer to body temperature, reducing the prolonged waiting time that causes user discomfort. The heating element is controlled to activate only during the measurement phase, ensuring accurate temperature reading is achieved quickly without requiring the user to endure extended discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating assembly operates periodically rather than continuously. It activates when the thermometer is placed in the armpit for measurement, provides rapid heating, and then stops once the target temperature is reached. This periodic operation ensures measurement accuracy is achieved while minimizing unnecessary heat exposure that would cause discomfort, allowing the thermometer to return to normal operating temperature between measurements.
3Power
If the heating material is exposed to air, then it can generate heat through oxidation reaction, but the heating material may degrade or oxidize prematurely before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the heating material from direct contact with air during storage and transport. The heating assembly includes an air-permeable barrier layer that encapsulates the heating material, preventing premature oxidation and degradation. When measurement is required, the barrier layer is removed or penetrated, allowing the heating material to contact air and generate heat through oxidation. This extraction of the heating material from the oxidizing environment ensures reliability is maintained during storage while heating capability is preserved for when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-permeable barrier layer serves as an intermediary between the heating material and the air. During storage, this intermediary layer prevents direct contact between oxygen and the heating material, maintaining stability. During measurement, the intermediary layer is removed or becomes permeable, allowing heat generation. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing conditional separation - protecting the heating material when stability is needed while enabling heat generation when power is needed.
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 preheating thermometer significantly shortens the time needed to measure body temperature, enhancing examination efficiency and comfort by allowing the thermometer to reach a target temperature quickly.
Implementation Method 1
the heating material to react with air to generate heat
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a preheating thermometer, including a temperature measuring assembly, and a preheating assembly disposed on the temperature measuring assembly. The preheating assembly includes a heating material layer and a sealing film covering the heating material layer to isolate the heating material layer from air. When the preheating thermometer is used for body temperature measurement, the sealing film is removed to allow the heating material layer to produce heat due to the contact of the heating material layer with the air.