Method for contactless measurement of a temperature distribution of a fire event with a portable thermal imaging camera and portable thermal imaging camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal imaging cameras used in firefighting operations face challenges in rapidly changing temperature distributions, leading to difficulty in distinguishing color representations and increased susceptibility to errors due to rapidly changing color bars, which can hinder quick decision-making during emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
The thermal imaging camera displays a thermal image section and a color indicator section next to each other with a distance, using varying colors for temperature ranges above 200°C, and includes a color-temperature assignment in a color bar, with sections arranged to facilitate quick and accurate reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the thermal image and color bar are displayed superimposed in the same area, then the display area is maximized, but the readability and interpretation accuracy deteriorate due to color confusion between thermal image sections and color bar sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display area into distinct sections: a thermal image section for displaying the thermal image and a color indicator section for displaying the color bar. These sections are arranged next to each other with a clear spatial separation, preventing color confusion while maintaining efficient use of the display area. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both adequate display space and unambiguous color interpretation.
2Area of stationary object
If the thermal image is displayed as large as possible in the display area, then the image size is maximized, but the distinction between color representations deteriorates when thermal image areas have the same color as color bar sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into a thermal image section and a color indicator section positioned next to each other. This spatial separation ensures that colors in the thermal image can be clearly distinguished from the color bar reference, eliminating confusion when both contain similar color representations. The thermal image can be displayed at large size while maintaining color distinction accuracy.
3Loss of information
If the color bar is displayed superimposed on the thermal image, then the information density is increased, but the interpretation time increases due to difficulty in distinguishing color representations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the color bar into a distinct color indicator section positioned next to the thermal image section, rather than superimposing it. This segmentation maintains high information density by displaying both elements within the available display area, while the spatial separation dramatically reduces interpretation time by eliminating color confusion and making color reference immediate and unambiguous.
4Area of stationary object
If the thermal image and color bar are arranged close together, then the display area utilization is optimized, but the reading reliability deteriorates due to color confusion between adjacent sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by creating distinct thermal image and color indicator sections with clear spatial separation. The sections are arranged next to each other in a side-by-side configuration rather than overlapping, providing adequate visual separation that prevents color confusion while maintaining efficient display area utilization. This segmentation ensures both high reading reliability and effective space usage.
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 arrangement enhances reading reliability and reduces interpretation time, thereby reducing the hazard potential and increasing operational practicability during firefighting operations.
Implementation Method 1
infrared radiation emitted by the fire event is measured with a pixel-based infrared sensor unit
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for contactless measurement of a temperature distribution of a fire event with a portable thermal imaging camera (1), wherein infrared radiation emitted by the fire event is measured with a pixel-based infrared sensor unit which is arranged inside a housing (10) of the thermal imaging camera (1) and a thermal image (7) is displayed with a display unit (2) of the thermal imaging camera (1). To achieve a high operational practicability a display area (3) of the display unit displays a thermal image section (4), a color indicator section (5) and preferably an information section (6), wherein the thermal image (7) is displayed in the thermal image section (4), wherein in the thermal image (7) a measured temperature distribution in a temperature range greater than 200°C is displayed with varying colors, wherein in the color indicator section (5) a color-temperature assignment is displayed, wherein the thermal image section (4) and the color indicator section (5) are arranged next to each other and at a distance from each other.