Temperature Sensor Correction Using Secondary Heat Source Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature measurements in asset tracking devices are often inaccurate due to heat generated by internal components, such as RF communication modules, which interfere with primary temperature sensors, especially in compact designs where heat conduction and radiation are significant.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a secondary temperature sensor closer to the heat source and using a processor to apply a correction algorithm, which is determined by measuring temperatures in a controlled environment, to compute a corrected temperature measurement that accounts for the heat impact on the primary sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the device is made compact with heat sources close to the temperature sensor, then the device size is reduced and portability is improved, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to heat interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A secondary temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary element to measure the temperature near the heat source. This additional sensor enables the system to detect and quantify the heat interference, which is then used to correct the primary temperature sensor's readings through a correction algorithm, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy in a compact device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter measurement approach by using multiple temperature sensors at different locations and applying a correction algorithm that adjusts the primary sensor's readings based on the secondary sensor's data. This parameter transformation allows accurate temperature measurement despite the close proximity of heat sources in compact device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the device is divided into two separate parts to reduce heat interference, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases and packaging becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the primary and secondary temperature sensors within a single integrated device housing, eliminating the need to split the device into separate parts. The correction algorithm processes data from both sensors to achieve accurate temperature measurement while maintaining a unified, simplified device structure that is easier to package and deploy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary temperature sensor acts as an intermediary measurement point within the same device, allowing the system to account for heat interference without physically separating the measurement components. This internal intermediary approach maintains device integrity while improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If wired communication is used between separate parts, then temperature data can be transmitted, but external wire ports are required which complicate packaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature data transmissionVSAvoidpackaging simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with wireless communication between temperature sensors and the processing unit. This substitution eliminates the need for external wire ports and complex internal wiring, thereby simplifying device packaging and manufacturing while maintaining the capability to transmit temperature data for correction purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach provides accurate temperature readings of a target by compensating for the heat-induced errors, allowing for reliable temperature monitoring without the need to split the device into separate parts, thus maintaining compactness and simplifying packaging.

Implementation Method 1

heat conduction and radiation are significant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat conduction and radiation are significant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS8473238B2Temperature measurement correction using multiple temperature sensors

Publication Date: 2013.06.25 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

AI summary

Correcting a temperature measurement of a target sensed at one temperature sensor in an asset tracking device by using another temperature sensor. The asset tracking device includes at least one heat source that affects the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the target. The other temperature sensor measures temperature at a location in the asset tracking device. The relationships between an actual temperature of the target and the temperature measured at the two sensors are established through experiments or model. Using the relationships, the measured temperature of the target can be corrected to obtain a corrected temperature of the target.