Thermal Camera Inspection for Vehicle HVAC Heat Transfer Parts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle inspection methods require multiple temperature sensors for each heating and cooling equipment, making the inspection process time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An inspection system comprising a thermal camera and an inspection processor that mounts on a vehicle, allowing imaging of heat transfer parts and performing operation checks by starting the heating and cooling equipment, with a modification process to adjust the imaging state and move obstacles, enabling efficient inspection without the need for multiple sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are installed for each heating and cooling equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sensors required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal camera serves as a universal measurement device that can detect temperatures of multiple different heating and cooling equipment components simultaneously, replacing the need for multiple dedicated temperature sensors. The camera's broad measurement capability allows one device to perform the function of many sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical contact-based temperature sensors with a non-contact thermal camera system. The thermal camera uses infrared radiation detection to measure temperatures remotely, eliminating the need for mechanical installation of multiple sensors on each equipment component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are installed for each heating and cooling equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple temperature measurement functions into a single thermal camera system. Instead of using separate sensors for each equipment component, the thermal camera integrates multiple measurement capabilities in one device, allowing simultaneous inspection of multiple components and significantly reducing total inspection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-contact thermal imaging system replaces the time-consuming process of installing and reading multiple individual temperature sensors. The thermal camera captures temperature data from multiple points simultaneously through infrared detection, eliminating sequential measurement requirements and reducing inspection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are installed for each heating and cooling equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal camera provides a universal measurement solution that simplifies operation by eliminating the need to select, install, and calibrate multiple different temperature sensors for different equipment. The single device handles all temperature measurement needs across various heating and cooling components with consistent operation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-contact thermal imaging system replaces complex sensor installation and wiring operations with simple camera positioning and image capture. The thermal camera system automatically processes temperature data from infrared images, eliminating manual sensor attachment and data collection from multiple separate devices.

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

Enables easy and reliable inspection of vehicle-mounted heating and cooling equipment by using a thermal camera and processor to determine normal operation based on imaging, reducing installation time and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal camera mountable on a vehicle and configured to perform imaging of a heat transfer part of heating and cooling equipment mounted on the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11535083B2Inspection system

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

An inspection system includes a thermal camera and an inspection processor. The thermal camera is mountable on a vehicle and configured to perform imaging of a heat transfer part of heating and cooling equipment mounted on the vehicle. The inspection processor is configured to execute, after causing the heating and cooling equipment to start operation, operation check inspection of determining whether the heating and cooling equipment normally operates on the basis of an image of the heat transfer part obtained by the imaging by the thermal camera, and to, in executing the operation check inspection, perform a modification process of modifying an imaging state of the thermal camera to enable the heat transfer part to be imaged by the thermal camera.