Probe structure

• US 20090129435A1
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radiant Innovation Inc.
• Original Assignee: Radiant Innovation Inc.
• Inventors: Liao, Joy, Weng, Vincent, Lin, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/121
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/06 Arrangements for eliminating effects of disturbing radiation; Arrangements for compensating changes in sensitivity for adjusting of solid angle of collected radiation G01J5/07; means for wavelength selection G01J5/0801
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0815 Light concentrators, collectors or condensers

Abstract

The present invention discloses an improved probe structure, which is installed in the body of an infrared clinical thermometer and comprises a plastic hollow casing having an opening; a curved block annularly arranged inside the opening; a hollow sleeve arranged inside the casing and along the perimeter of the opening; a temperature sensor arranged inside sleeve and below the curved block; a support element arranged inside the sleeve and supporting the temperature sensor; and a thermal insulation ring encircling the temperature sensor and pressing against the inner wall of the sleeve. The thermal insulation ring has an outer diameter larger than a width of the temperature sensor, and an air gap is thus formed between the temperature sensor and the inner wall of the sleeve; the top of the thermal insulation ring has an altitude higher than the top of the temperature sensor, and another air gap is thus formed between the temperature sensor and the curved block. Thereby is effectively retarded heat conduction from the external to the temperature sensor.

Claims

1. An improved probe structure, installed in a body of an infrared clinical thermometer, comprising

a plastic hollow casing having an opening;

a curved block annularly arranged inside said opening;

a hollow sleeve arranged inside said casing and along a perimeter of said opening;

a temperature sensor arranged inside said sleeve and below said curved block;

a support element arranged inside said sleeve and supporting said temperature sensor; and

a thermal insulation ring encircling said temperature sensor and pressing against an inner wall of said sleeve, wherein said thermal insulation ring has an outer diameter larger than a width of said temperature sensor, and a first air gap is thus formed between said temperature sensor and said inner wall of said sleeve, and wherein a top of said thermal insulation ring has an altitude higher than a top of said temperature sensor, and a second air gap is thus formed between said temperature sensor and said curved block.

2. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is made of a metallic material.

3. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein said infrared clinical thermometer is a forehead thermometer or an ear thermometer.

4. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between said casing and said sleeve to retard interference of temperatures of external environments.

5. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein said curved block has a curvature of 30-85 degrees.

6. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein said curved block and said sleeve are fabricated into a one-piece component.

7. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein said curved block is arranged in an inner rim of said sleeve.

8. The improved probe structure according to claim 1, wherein said curved block is plated with a coating to increase reflectivity and reduce infrared radiation.