JP2002355225A - Probe for infrared thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a probe for a thermometer which does not require a waveguide without degrading in measurement errors. SOLUTION: An infrared detecting sensor 12 is placed in the vicinity of the tip end of a housing 11, i.e., in a range where infrared rays are guided without influencing quality (measurement accuracy) even without using a waveguide. The housing 11 is equipped with a swollen part 11a only swollen at a part corresponding to a projection 12a so as not to interfere with the projection 12a equipped on the infrared detecting sensor 12 and extended toward the inner wall face of the housing 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a probe for an infrared thermometer which is provided in an infrared thermometer for measuring a body temperature by detecting infrared rays emitted from an eardrum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional infrared thermometer probe of this type is, for example, shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing the vicinity of a probe for an infrared thermometer according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 11, an infrared thermometer probe 200 has a cylindrical housing 201 for insertion into an ear canal, and a waveguide 203 for guiding infrared light to an infrared detection sensor 202 disposed in the infrared thermometer main body. And.

[0005] When the housing 201 is inserted into the ear canal by the infrared thermometer probe 200 configured as described above, infrared rays radiated from the eardrum enter from the opening at the tip of the waveguide 203 and pass through the waveguide 203. And is detected by the infrared detection sensor 202.

Then, the body temperature (the eardrum temperature) is measured from the detection result of the infrared detection sensor 202.

Here, the infrared detecting sensor 202 is disposed at a position deeper than the infrared thermometer probe 200,
Infrared detection sensor 202 detects infrared light using waveguide 203
The reason for the above is based on the following reasons.

First, when the infrared detection sensor 202 is disposed near the tip of the infrared thermometer probe 200, the infrared detection sensor 202 is directly affected by heat from the ear canal, and a measurement error occurs. This is for reducing the heat effect due to the outer ear.

Secondly, when the infrared detecting sensor 202 is disposed near the tip of the infrared thermometer probe 200, the housing 201 becomes too thick based on the conventional idea, and is inserted into the ear canal. Becomes difficult,
This is because measurement must be performed at a position distant from the eardrum, and a measurement error occurs.

The reason why the housing 201 becomes too thick is as follows.

The shape of the housing is usually a cylindrical shape or a truncated cone having a hollow inside so that the housing can be easily inserted into the ear canal, while the shape of the infrared detecting sensor is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. However, since the infrared detection sensor 12 has a projection 12a protruding outward in the manufacturing process, the inner peripheral diameter of the housing must be equal to that of the infrared detection sensor 12 so that the infrared detection sensor 12 can be stored inside the housing. This is because the diameter of the housing must be considered in consideration of the projection provided on the detection sensor, and the entire housing becomes too thick.

[0012]

However, in the case of the above-described prior art, the following problems have occurred.

In the prior art as described above, since infrared rays are guided by the waveguide, the influence of heat from the outer ear can be reduced and the housing can be made thin.

However, in order to efficiently reflect infrared rays by the waveguide, the inside of the tube must be a mirror surface in order to prevent irregular reflection, and an error will occur if the reflectivity changes due to a change with time. Is required.

[0015] Gold has the highest infrared reflectance.

From the above, as a waveguide, conventionally,
Since mirror-finished metal pipes are usually plated with gold, not only is it extremely time-consuming to process the waveguide, but also the number of parts increases, the parts themselves become expensive, and the cost increases. It was also.

Therefore, in order to eliminate the waveguide, it has been desired to dispose the infrared detection sensor near the tip of the infrared thermometer probe. However, as described above, the problem of heat influence by the outer ear and the housing There was a problem that it became too thick.

Here, regarding the former problem of the thermal effect due to the outer ear, the detection result (detection data) of the infrared detection sensor
Solution was found to correct the
No solution has been found for the latter problem of the housing becoming too thick.

The projection 12a of the infrared detection sensor 12
May be considered, but the infrared detection sensor 1
An inert gas for suppressing a change with time is sealed in the inside 12e of the second 2, and if the projection 12a is cut, the inert gas may leak, so that it cannot be said to be an appropriate solution. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an infrared thermometer probe which does not require a waveguide without reducing measurement errors. Is to do.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an infrared thermometer probe according to the present invention is provided with a cylindrical housing inserted into an ear canal, and provided inside the cylinder and near the distal end of the housing. A detection sensor for detecting infrared radiation emitted from the eardrum, wherein the detection sensor has a protrusion extending toward an inner wall surface of the housing, and the housing has the protrusion. It has a bulging portion in which only a portion corresponding to the projection bulges so as not to interfere with the projection.

Here, "near the tip" means a distance within a range where infrared rays can be guided to the detection sensor without adversely affecting quality (measurement accuracy) without providing a waveguide. Things.

The projections of the detection sensor do not play a part in the function of detecting infrared rays, and include, for example, projections formed in the manufacture of the detection sensor.

According to the configuration of the present invention, since the housing has the bulging portion only in a part thereof, it is not necessary to make the entire housing thick. In addition, since the cross-sectional shape of the ear canal is substantially elliptical, the bulging portion does not hinder the insertion of the housing into the ear canal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a probe for an infrared thermometer according to the present invention is provided. A detection sensor for detecting infrared rays to be provided, and a probe for an infrared thermometer, wherein the housing has an elliptical cross-sectional shape,
The detection sensor has a protrusion extending toward an inner wall surface of the housing, and is arranged such that the protrusion is located on a long axis in the housing having the elliptical inner wall surface. I do.

Here, "near the tip" means a distance within a range in which infrared rays can be guided to the detection sensor without adversely affecting quality (measurement accuracy) without providing a waveguide. Things.

The projections of the detection sensor do not play a part in the function of detecting infrared rays, and include, for example, projections formed in the manufacture of the detection sensor.

According to the structure of the present invention, since the projection of the detection sensor is arranged on the long axis in the housing, it is not necessary to make the entire housing thick. Further, since the cross-sectional shape of the ear canal is substantially elliptical, the housing can be smoothly inserted into the ear canal.

The detection sensor has a columnar portion, and a column center axis of the columnar portion is displaced from a center of a cylinder of the housing in a direction opposite to a position where the protrusion is provided. Good.

According to this structure, the space on the side having no protrusion can be minimized, so that the housing can be made thinner.

[0031]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The material, shape, relative arrangement, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified.

(First Embodiment) A probe for an infrared thermometer according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, 8 and 9.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an infrared thermometer provided with the infrared thermometer probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views of the infrared thermometer probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion having a bulging portion, and FIG. 3 is a portion having no bulging portion. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view of the infrared thermometer probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a human ear. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an external view of an infrared detection sensor built in the infrared thermometer probe. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the infrared detection sensor built in the infrared thermometer probe.

The infrared thermometer 100 includes an infrared thermometer main body 20 and an infrared thermometer probe 10 to be inserted into an ear canal.

Since the infrared thermometer itself is a known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted, but a battery or a circuit board serving as an electric supply source is provided inside the infrared thermometer main body 20. On the back surface of the display device 20, a display unit for displaying the measurement results is provided.

When performing the measurement, while holding the infrared thermometer main body 20 with one hand, the infrared thermometer probe 1
0 into the ear canal, and in that state, the infrared thermometer body 2
By pressing the measurement switch provided at 0, the body temperature (tympanic membrane temperature) can be measured in a short time.

The infrared thermometer probe 10 comprises a cylindrical housing 11 inserted into the ear canal,
And an infrared detection sensor 12 provided in one cylinder.

As a more specific shape of the cylindrical housing 11, a shape that can be easily inserted into the external auditory canal is preferable.
For example, a substantially cylindrical shape, an inner hollow truncated cone shape, or
These combinations are possible. In the illustrated example, the distal end side is substantially cylindrical, and the infrared thermometer main body 20 side has an inner hollow truncated cone shape whose skirt expands toward the root.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the infrared detecting sensor 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape in its entirety. However, due to the manufacturing process, it has a projection 12a protruding outward.

As shown in FIG. 9, a more detailed structure of the infrared detecting sensor 12 is a base 12c having an element 12b for detecting infrared rays, and a cover 12 for protecting the element 12b.
d, and inside thereof 12e, the element 1
An inert gas for suppressing a temporal change of 2b is sealed. In addition, a window 12f that allows infrared rays to pass therethrough is provided on the upper surface of the cover 12d.

Here, when the protrusion 12a is cut, the base 12c or the cover 12
d may be deformed and the inert gas may leak,
It is technically difficult to cut the projection 12a without leaking the inert gas.

Therefore, the infrared thermometer probe 10 according to the present embodiment uses the infrared detection sensor 12 having the projection 12a.

In the infrared thermometer probe 10 according to the present embodiment, the infrared detection sensor 12 is disposed near the tip of the housing 11. That is, without using a waveguide, the infrared detection sensor 12 is arranged in a range where infrared light is guided without adversely affecting quality (measurement accuracy).

Here, an infrared detection sensor 1 for enabling accurate measurement without using a waveguide.
An arrangement relationship between the housing 2 and the housing 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

One of the main conditions for enabling accurate measurement is that the housing 11 does not obstruct the field of view (sensor field of view) of the infrared sensor element 12b.

The sensor field of view is determined by the element 12b and the window 12f.
Are determined by the arrangement relationship, size, and the like, and the visual field range S is determined as shown in FIG.

If the housing 11 is present in the visual field range S, the detection accuracy is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to dispose the infrared sensor 12 so that the housing 11 does not obstruct the visual field range S.

In this embodiment, the housing 1
1 is not to increase the entire diameter of the substantially cylindrical portion of the housing 11 in accordance with the projection 12a of the infrared detection sensor 12, but to prevent the projection 12a from extending toward the inner wall surface of the housing 11 so as not to interfere with the projection 12a. Is provided with a bulging portion 11a which bulges only in a portion corresponding to.

As a result, as is clear from FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the housing 11 has a thin shape as a whole and a shape in which only a part is swollen.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the ear canal 51 in the human ear 50 is substantially elliptical. Therefore, when inserting the housing 11 into the ear canal 51,
If the bulging portion 11a is inserted in such a manner that the bulging portion 11a is located on the longitudinal direction side of the ear canal 51 (the longer diameter side of the elliptical shape), the bulging portion 11a can be inserted all the way without difficulty.

The bulging portion 11a is positioned relative to the infrared thermometer main body 20 as shown in FIG.
When the housing 11 is inserted into the external auditory canal in a normal posture while holding the infrared thermometer main body 20 with the hand in use, if the bulging portion 11a is positioned downward, the bulging portion 11a naturally becomes , The measuring operation can be performed smoothly.

When the housing 11 is inserted into the external auditory canal in a normal posture while holding the infrared thermometer body 20 with the hand in the use state, the swelling portion 11a is directed upward as well. Since the bulging portion 11a naturally faces the longitudinal direction of the ear canal, the measuring operation can be performed smoothly.

As described above, the infrared thermometer probe 10 according to the present embodiment does not require a waveguide, so that the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing process can be significantly simplified. became. As a result, costs could be reduced.

Further, the thickness of the housing may be the same as that of the conventional one, and the housing can be inserted into the ear canal without difficulty, so that infrared rays can be received near the eardrum,
The measurement error caused by the housing entering only into a thick and shallow position was prevented.

Since the infrared detection sensor is located near the ear canal, an error caused by directly receiving heat from the external ear can be eliminated by correcting the detected data as described above. Does not.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 6 and 7 show:
A second embodiment is shown. In the first embodiment, only the portion corresponding to the protrusion of the infrared detection sensor is provided.
Although the configuration in which the bulging portion is provided in the housing has been described, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the cross-sectional shape of the housing is elliptical and the projection of the infrared detection sensor is arranged on the long axis is shown.

Other structures and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an infrared thermometer probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an arrangement relation diagram when a position corresponding to the AA part in FIG. 6 is viewed from above.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the infrared thermometer probe according to the present embodiment also has a cylindrical housing 16 inserted into the ear canal, and an infrared detection sensor provided in the cylinder of the housing 16. And 12.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the housing 16 is a truncated elliptical cone (a three-dimensional shape obtained by cutting and removing the tip of a cone having an elliptical cross section). However, although not particularly shown, the shape of the housing 16 may be an elliptical cylinder (a columnar solid body whose cross section is elliptical). Further, the shape of the housing 16 may be a frustum having a circular base and an elliptical tip. In addition, even if the tip portion (the root portion is also possible) is not only an elliptical shape but also a column shape (for example, a quadrangular prism shape), its diagonal apex bulges entirely outward from other diagonal apex portions. The shape (for a square prism shape, a shape like a rhombic prism) may be used. These are also considered as modifications included in the “elliptical shape” in the present invention.

In the infrared thermometer probe according to the present embodiment, the infrared detection sensor 12 is arranged near the tip of the housing 16 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, no waveguide is required.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the infrared detection sensor 12 is arranged such that the position of the projection 12a is located on the long axis of the elliptical inner wall surface 16 of the housing 16. Have been.

Accordingly, the shorter diameter side may be shorter, so that the housing 16 can be made thinner.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical central axis T2 of the substantially cylindrical infrared detection sensor 12 is provided with a projection 12a with respect to the center T1 of the cylinder of the housing 16. The infrared detection sensor 12 is arranged so as to be shifted to a side opposite to the position where the infrared ray is shifted.

As a result, the space on the side without the protrusion 12a can be minimized, and the housing 16 can be made thinner.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 16 ″ denotes an imaginary line indicating the outer peripheral surface of the housing when the housing is designed to be as thin as possible when the projection is cut, and this is a circular line. On the other hand, 16 'is an actual outer peripheral surface of the housing 16, which is elliptical like the inner peripheral surface.

As is apparent from the figure, it is sufficient that the thickness of the housing is slightly larger than that of the housing having no projections on the side where the projections are provided.

If there is no problem in the size of the whole probe, the infrared detection sensor may be arranged so that the center axis T2 of the cylinder of the infrared detection sensor and the center T1 of the cylinder of the housing coincide with each other. Needless to say.

With the above configuration, since the cross-sectional shape of the ear canal 51 is substantially elliptical, the housing 16 is connected to the ear canal 5.
When the housing 16 having a truncated elliptical frustum shape or an elliptic column shape is inserted along the shape of the ear canal, that is, with the major axis and the minor axis substantially overlapping, the ear canal 51 can be easily inserted. The housing 16 can be inserted all the way to the back.

Therefore, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, the housing can be easily inserted into the ear canal, so that the measurement error does not decrease and the detection sensor is provided at the tip of the housing. This eliminates the need for a waveguide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an infrared thermometer provided with an infrared thermometer probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the infrared thermometer probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the infrared thermometer probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view of the infrared thermometer probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a human ear.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an infrared thermometer probe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an arrangement relation diagram when a position corresponding to an AA part in FIG. 6 is viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is an external view of an infrared detection sensor incorporated in the infrared thermometer probe.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of an infrared detection sensor incorporated in the infrared thermometer probe.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship of an infrared detection sensor.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing the vicinity of a probe for an infrared thermometer according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Infrared thermometer probe 11 Housing 11a Inflated part 12 Infrared detection sensor 12a Projection 12b Element 12c Base 12d Cover 12e Inside 12f Window 16 Housing 20 Infrared thermometer main body 50 Ear 51 External auditory canal 100 Infrared thermometer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An infrared thermometer probe comprising: a cylindrical housing inserted into an ear canal; and a detection sensor provided inside the cylinder and near the distal end of the housing and detecting infrared radiation emitted from an eardrum. The detection sensor has a protrusion extending toward the inner wall surface of the housing, and the housing has a bulging portion bulging only at a portion corresponding to the protrusion so as not to interfere with the protrusion. Infrared thermometer probe. 2. A probe for an infrared thermometer, comprising: a cylindrical housing inserted into an ear canal; and a detection sensor provided in the cylinder and near the distal end of the housing and detecting infrared radiation emitted from the eardrum. The housing has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, and the detection sensor has a protrusion extending toward an inner wall surface of the housing, and the protrusion has a length in the housing having the elliptical inner wall surface. An infrared thermometer probe, which is disposed so as to be located on an axis. 3. The detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor has a columnar portion, and a column center axis of the columnar portion is shifted from a center of a cylinder of the housing to a side opposite to a position where the protrusion is provided. The infrared thermometer probe according to claim 2, wherein the probe is arranged.