Infrared thermometer

• US 20080267254A1
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Actherm Inc.
• Original Assignee: Actherm Inc.
• Inventors: Hsieh, Chih-Wei
• Granted Patent: US 7,665,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/121
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0003 for sensing the radiant heat transfer of samples, e.g. emittance meter
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0011 Ear thermometers G01J5/021 and G01J5/049 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/026 Control of working procedures of a pyrometer, other than calibration; Bandwidth calculation; Gain control
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/028 using a charging unit or battery
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/061 by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/064 Ambient temperature sensor; Housing temperature sensor; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

This invention discloses an infrared thermometer for ear or skin temperature. The infrared thermometer comprises a body, an infrared sensing element, and a heat dissipating means. The heat dissipation means is provided behind or below the infrared sensing element for urging the air flowing in and out of the body, so as to contribute better heat dissipation and air circulation around the infrared sensing element. Hence the accuracy and stability of the infrared thermometer are improved.

Claims

1. An infrared ear thermometer comprising:

a body, which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a protrudent first opening and a second opening; and

an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening and comprises a thermopile, a color filter, a metal cap and a thermistor;

said infrared ear thermometer characterized in;

a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening so that when the power switch is turned on, the thermistor is actuated to measure the temperature variation of the thermopile, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile exceeds a predetermined level, the heat dissipation means operates to urge the air flowing in and out of the body and the heat dissipation means shuts when the temperature variation of the thermopile becomes lower than or equal to the predetermined level, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile is lower than or equal to the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an operational state while when the temperature variation of the thermopile is higher than the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an nonoperational state.

2. The infrared ear thermometer of claim 1, wherein the display presents a signal to inform a user when the infrared ear thermometer is at the operational state.

3. The infrared ear thermometer of claim 1, further comprising a buzzer for giving an alarm to inform a user when the infrared ear thermometer is at the operational state.

4. The infrared ear thermometer of claim 1, wherein the power switch is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch.

5. The infrared ear thermometer of claim 1, further comprising a trigger for starting the infrared sensor to conduct temperature measurement when the infrared ear thermometer is at the operational state.

6. A method for manufacturing an infrared ear thermometer comprising:

providing a body which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a protrudent first opening and a second opening;

providing an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile, a color filter, a metal cap and a thermistor; and

providing a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening;

so that when the power switch is turned on, the thermistor is actuated to measure the temperature variation of the thermopile, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile exceeds a predetermined level, the heat dissipation means operates to urge the air flowing in and out of the body and the heat dissipation means shuts when the temperature variation of the thermopile becomes lower than or equal to the predetermined level, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile is lower than or equal to the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an operational state while when the temperature variation of the thermopile is higher than the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an nonoperational state.

7. An infrared thermometer comprising:

a body, which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a first opening and a second opening; and

an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile, a color filter, a metal cap and a thermistor;

said infrared thermometer characterized in;

a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening so that when the power switch is turned on, the thermistor is actuated to measure the temperature variation of the thermopile, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile exceeds a predetermined level, the heat dissipation means operates to urge the air flowing in and out of the body and the heat dissipation means shuts when the temperature variation of the thermopile becomes lower than or equal to the predetermined level, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile is lower than or equal to the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an operational state while when the temperature variation of the thermopile is higher than the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an nonoperational state.

8. The infrared thermometer of claim 7, wherein the display presents a signal to inform a user when the infrared thermometer is at the operational state.

9. The infrared thermometer of claim 7, further comprising a buzzer for giving an alarm to inform a user when the infrared thermometer is at the operational state.

10. The infrared thermometer of claim 7, wherein the power switch is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch.

11. The infrared thermometer of claim 7, further comprising a trigger for starting the infrared sensor to conduct temperature measurement when the infrared thermometer is at the operational state.

12. A method for manufacturing an infrared thermometer comprising:

providing a body which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the power switch is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch;

providing an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile, a color filter, a metal cap and a thermistor; and

providing a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening;

wherein when the power switch is turned on, the thermistor is actuated to measure the temperature variation of the thermopile, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile exceeds a predetermined level, the heat dissipation means operates to urge the air flowing in and out of the body and the heat dissipation means shuts when the temperature variation of the thermopile becomes lower than or equal to the predetermined level, wherein when the temperature variation of the thermopile is lower than or equal to the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an operational state while when the temperature variation of the thermopile is higher than the predetermined level, the infrared ear thermometer is at an nonoperational state.

13. An infrared ear thermometer comprising a body which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a protrudent first opening and a second opening;

said infrared ear thermometer characterized in;

the power switch, which is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch;

an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile and a thermistor; and

a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening for urging the air flowing in and out of the body, so as to contribute air circulation.

14. A method for manufacturing an infrared ear thermometer comprising:

providing a body, which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a protrudent first opening and a second opening wherein the power switch is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch;

providing an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening, wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile and a thermistor; and

providing a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening for urging the air flowing in and out of the body, so as to contribute air circulation.

15. An infrared thermometer comprising a body, which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a first opening and a second opening, said infrared thermometer characterized in:

the power switch, which is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch;

an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile and a thermistor; and

a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening for urging the air flowing in and out of the body, so as to contribute air circulation.

16. A method for manufacturing an infrared thermometer comprising:

providing a body, which comprises a housing, a display, a power switch, a control circuit, a first opening and a second opening wherein the power switch is selected from a group consisting of a push-button switch, a touch switch, a vibration switch and a sensor switch;

providing an infrared sensor, which is provided inside the body and near the first opening wherein the infrared sensor comprises a thermopile and a thermistor; and

providing a heat dissipation means, which is provided inside the body and near the second opening for urging the air flowing in and out of the body, so as to contribute air circulation.