Temperature-Sensed Storage Unit for Accurate Material Amount Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light source apparatuses lack an accurate method to calculate the amount of raw materials contained in containers.

Innovation Solution

A storage device equipped with a temperature sensor and temperature adjustment mechanism, which maintains the contents at a predetermined temperature, allowing the calculation unit to accurately determine the amount of raw materials based on detected temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the amount of raw material in the container is calculated using conventional methods, then the calculation process is simple, but the calculation precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a temperature sensor as an intermediary device to measure the temperature of the container wall, which indirectly reflects the amount of raw material. This mediator enables precise calculation without requiring direct measurement of the raw material itself, thus achieving high measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional direct measurement methods with a thermal field-based indirect measurement approach. By measuring the temperature distribution in the container wall and using heat conduction models to calculate raw material amount, the system achieves precise measurement without complex mechanical measurement devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If no temperature control is implemented, then the device structure is simple, but the calculation accuracy is affected by temperature variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature adjustment mechanism uses the container's own thermal properties and the raw material's heat capacity to maintain stable temperature conditions. The system leverages the natural thermal interaction between the container wall and raw material, requiring minimal external control while maintaining calculation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains temperature as a controlled parameter within an optimal range to ensure accurate calculation. By adjusting and stabilizing the temperature parameter, the system achieves consistent calculation accuracy without requiring complex real-time temperature compensation algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 precise calculation of the raw material content, ensuring consistent and efficient operation of the light source apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature sensor that is disposed on a surface of the side portion on an outer side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a temperature adjustment mechanism that is capable of maintaining a temperature of the contents contained in the storage unit at a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control:

Data Source

PatentEP4711851A1Storage device, storage amount calculation method, and light source device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 USHIO INC
  • EP4711851A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711851A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4711851A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A storage device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes: a storage unit; a first temperature sensor; a temperature adjustment mechanism; and a calculation unit. The storage unit contains contents and has a side portion. The first temperature sensor is disposed on a surface of the side portion on an outer side. The temperature adjustment mechanism is capable of maintaining a temperature of the contents contained in the storage unit at a predetermined temperature. The calculation unit calculates an amount of the contents contained in the storage unit on a basis of a temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.