Rotatable Infrared Sensor with Segmented Cover for Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiation receiving sensors, such as thermal image sensors, in 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 radiation receiving sensor system comprising an infrared receiver, a rotatable lens, and a cover member with varying infrared transmittance areas, allowing for precise measurement of infrared radiation and adjustment of observation areas to detect movement and temperature distribution, enabling optimal air conditioning and cooking control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a radiation receiving sensor uses a single transmittance cover member, then the structure is simple, but the measurement precision of movement and temperature distribution is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoidcover member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member is divided into multiple areas with different infrared transmittances (first area with higher transmittance, second area with lower transmittance). This segmentation allows different regions to contribute differently to the detection signal, enabling movement detection through transmittance variation while maintaining a relatively simple integrated cover structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the cover member are assigned different infrared transmittance properties (local quality variation). The first area has higher transmittance for baseline detection, while the second area has lower transmittance to create contrast for movement detection. This local differentiation improves measurement precision without requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the lens rotation radius is small, then the device size is reduced, but the optical path length decreases leading to reduced measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidinfrared radiation measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the relationship between the rotation radius and optical path length parameters. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system achieves adequate optical path length for accurate infrared radiation measurement while keeping the overall sensor size compact. The cover member's differential transmittance areas further enhance measurement accuracy despite the compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the infrared receiver continuously scans all areas, then complete environmental data is collected, but the response time for detecting user movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental data completenessVSAvoidmovement detection response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotator performs periodic scanning of the infrared receiver across different areas. The cover member's differential transmittance areas (first and second areas) are scanned in a periodic manner, allowing the system to collect environmental data while maintaining responsive movement detection through the distinct transmittance signatures of different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively measures movement and temperature distribution, allowing for personalized comfort settings and energy-efficient operation by adjusting air conditioning and cooking parameters based on user activity and environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a lens that allows infrared radiation to enter the infrared receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

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 EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10641511B2Radiation receiving sensor and air conditioner, electronic cooker, and transport device including the same

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 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.