Sticking Thermometer Attachment Detection via Thermal Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sticking-type deep body thermometers struggle to detect attachment and detachment without adding new dedicated components, increasing costs, while maintaining accurate deep body temperature measurement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a deep body thermometer design with a sticking member, first and second thermal resistors, temperature sensors, and a deep body temperature detection circuit that utilizes temperature differences and rate of change between the body surface and outside air temperatures to detect attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire body surface side of the thermometer is covered with sticking tape (adhesive layer), then the thermometer is able to be easily attached to the body surface, but the thermometer can be detached from the body surface during measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The thermometer structure is divided into functional zones: a sticking member with adhesive for attachment, thermal resistors for temperature measurement, and a detection circuit for monitoring attachment status. This segmentation allows the adhesive to provide easy attachment while the detection circuit ensures reliability by monitoring whether the thermometer remains properly attached during measurement.
2Measurement precision
If a dedicated component is added to detect attachment and detachment, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function and attachment detection function are combined into a single integrated system. The same thermal resistors and temperature sensors used for measuring body temperature also detect attachment status by monitoring temperature differences between the body surface and ambient air. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection components, maintaining measurement precision while reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermometer uses its own temperature sensing capabilities to detect its own attachment status. The temperature difference between the body surface and ambient air, naturally present during operation, serves as the detection signal. This self-service approach allows the thermometer to monitor its own attachment state without requiring external or additional specialized components, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If temperature sensors are used to detect attachment and detachment, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing temperature sensors in the thermometer are made multi-functional by programming the detection circuit to interpret temperature data in two ways: (1) for measuring body temperature by comparing temperatures across thermal resistors, and (2) for detecting attachment status by monitoring the temperature difference between the body surface and ambient air. This approach improves detection capability without increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components serve both purposes.
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
Enables reliable detection of attachment and detachment without additional components, ensuring accurate deep body temperature measurement and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal resistor having a predetermined thermal resistance and disposed substantially parallel to the sticking member
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first temperature at a first surface of the first thermal resistor adjacent to the sticking member; a second temperature sensor configured to detect a second temperature at a second surface of the first thermal resistor opposite the first surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sticking-type deep body thermometer that includes a thermometer body; a sticking member having an adhesive property on a bottom surface of thermometer body; a first thermal resistor having a predetermined thermal resistance and disposed substantially parallel to the sticking member; a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first temperature at a first surface of the first thermal resistor adjacent to the sticking member; a second temperature sensor configured to detect a second temperature at a second surface of the first thermal resistor opposite the first surface; a deep body temperature detection circuit configured to estimate a deep body temperature based on the first temperature and the second temperature; and an attachment/detachment sensor configured to detect attachment and detachment of the sticking-type deep body thermometer in accordance with a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature and/or a temperature rate of change of the first temperature.