Radiation receiving sensor and air conditioner, electronic cooker, and transport device including the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation receiving sensors for air conditioning and electronic cookers lack the ability to accurately measure movement and adjust settings based on user activity and environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal comfort and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A thermal image sensor system with a rotatable infrared receiver and lens, combined with a cover member having varying infrared transmittance areas, allows for precise measurement of infrared radiation and adjustment of observation areas to detect user movement and environmental conditions, enabling optimal air conditioning and cooking control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single transmittance cover member is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to detect different types of infrared radiation (movement vs. temperature) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcover member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member is divided into multiple areas with different infrared transmittance characteristics. The first area has high transmittance for detecting temperature radiation, while the second area has low transmittance for detecting movement radiation. This segmentation allows a single cover member to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the cover member are assigned different local properties (transmittance values) to optimize specific detection functions. The first area is designed with high transmittance for temperature detection, while the second area has low transmittance for movement detection, allowing each region to excel at its specific detection task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the infrared receiver rotates close to the lens, then the detection area is large, but the reflected radiation from the lens interferes with measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection areaVSAvoidreflected radiation interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member acts as an intermediary element between the lens and the infrared receiver. It allows infrared radiation to pass through to the receiver while blocking reflected radiation from the lens, thus mediating the interaction between these components and eliminating interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflected radiation from the lens, which would normally be harmful interference, is blocked by the cover member's second area. This converts the potential harm into a benefit by allowing the receiver to be positioned closer to the lens for larger detection area without suffering from reflection interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If the infrared receiver is positioned far from the lens, then reflected radiation interference is reduced, but the detection precision and field of view are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared radiation measurement accuracyVSAvoidreflected radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member serves as a mediator that enables the infrared receiver to be positioned close to the lens while preventing reflected radiation interference. This intermediary structure allows both close positioning (for precision and field of view) and interference rejection to be achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the optical path length varies across different areas, then different radiation types are differentiated, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation type differentiationVSAvoidoptical path length control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member is designed with different local optical path lengths in different areas. The first area has a shorter optical path length for temperature radiation detection, while the second area has a longer optical path length for movement radiation detection. This local quality variation enables differentiation of radiation types while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system provides enhanced comfort by accurately measuring user activity and environmental conditions, allowing for adaptive control of air conditioning and cooking settings, improving energy efficiency and user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a lens allowing infrared radiation to pass through the cover member to enter the infrared receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation transmission: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a lens allowing infrared radiation to pass through the cover member to enter the infrared receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 3

The cover member includes a first area having a first infrared transmittance and a second area having a second infrared transmittance, which is lower than the first infrared transmittance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared transmittance differentiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

a rotator that rotates the infrared receiver and the lens about a part of the lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 5

an infrared receiver including a plurality of infrared receiving devices that receive infrared radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10309670B2Radiation receiving sensor and air conditioner, electronic cooker, and transport device including the same

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A radiation receiving sensor includes an infrared receiver including a plurality of infrared receiving devices that receive infrared radiation, a lens that allows infrared radiation to enter the infrared receiver, a rotator that rotates the infrared receiver and the lens about a part of the lens, and a cover member that faces the infrared receiver through the lens and that has translucency.