Thermesthesiometer Testing for Small Hot Surface Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermesthesiometers are inaccurate for measuring the effect of surface temperatures on human skin for products operating outside their design ambient temperature range and struggle with smaller product surfaces due to probe size mismatches.

Innovation Solution

A thermal measurement system using a test material with similar thermal properties to the product, heated to match the product's surface temperature, allows accurate skin effect measurement even at higher ambient temperatures and on smaller surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a thermesthesiometer is used to measure surface temperature effects on human skin, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device becomes inaccurate when operating outside its design ambient temperature range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin effect measurement accuracyVSAvoidambient temperature range adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A temperature-controlled chamber is introduced as an intermediary device between the thermesthesiometer and the product being tested. The chamber maintains a controlled ambient temperature environment that matches the thermesthesiometer's optimal operating conditions, allowing accurate skin effect measurements even when the product operates in different ambient temperature ranges. This intermediary isolates the thermesthesiometer from extreme ambient conditions while still enabling testing of products across various temperature ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a thermesthesiometer probe is used to measure surface temperature, then measurement capability is provided, but the probe size is larger than the surface of smaller products making accurate measurement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidprobe size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into two independent parts: a temperature-controlled chamber that encloses the product, and a thermesthesiometer probe that measures the chamber's internal temperature. This segmentation allows the chamber to be customized to match the product size while the probe remains a separate, standardized measurement device. The chamber can be configured with different sizes and shapes to accommodate various product dimensions, solving the probe-size mismatch problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If manufacturers incorporate more expensive materials and cooling systems to prevent harm in hot environments, then product safety is improved, but cost increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct safetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature-controlled chamber provides real-time feedback on the actual surface temperature of the product under test. This feedback mechanism allows manufacturers to accurately determine whether their products truly require enhanced cooling systems or expensive materials for safety. By measuring the actual temperature effects on human skin in a controlled environment, manufacturers can make informed decisions about product design without unnecessarily incorporating costly safety features, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining appropriate safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Accurately measures the skin effect of surface temperatures on smaller products at elevated ambient temperatures, improving measurement accuracy and eliminating probe size mismatches.

Implementation Method 1

A thermal measurement system using a test material with similar thermal properties to the product, heated to match the product's surface temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heated to match the product's surface temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20260009843A1Small Device Testing Using Thermesthesiometer

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A thermal measurement system includes a temperature-controlled chamber configured to house a Device Under Test (DUT) and a first temperature sensor to measure an external temperature of the DUT inside the temperature-controlled chamber. The thermal measurement system further includes a heating device for heating a test material outside the temperature-controlled chamber and a controller configured to control the heating device to heat the test material to the external temperature measured by the first temperature sensor of the DUT inside the temperature-controlled chamber. In one aspect, a thermethesiometer indicates a skin effect of a surface temperature of the test material outside the temperature-controlled chamber.