JP2004184324A - Electronic clinical thermometer reacting quickly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of clinical thermometer wherein the temperature to be detected quickly reaches heat balance and the heat is quickly conducted, to thereby quickly express accurate temperature. <P>SOLUTION: In this electronic clinical thermometer, a self-adhesive 3 having natural resiliency or excellent heat conductivity of a lead wire 5 itself is used in a metal head 2 of a measuring end 1 of the clinical thermometer, and the whole or the greater part of a sensor 4 and the connected lead wire 5 is in close contact with the inner wall of the metal head 2, and thereby the lead wire 5 part does not become a part where the heat around the sensor 4 is lost, and becomes a source of heat compensation in advance. When the metal head 2 reaches heat balance by natural heating by a person to be measured in the outside at a measuring time, since the lead wire 5 is stuck close to the inside of the metal head 2, the heat balance thereof is attained immediately, and the heat balance around the sensor 4 is attained more easily. Consequently, the electronic clinical thermometer reacting quickly can quickly express accurate temperature, and shorten the measuring time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rapidly responding electronic thermometer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Measuring body temperature with traditional electronic thermometers can be quite time consuming, and while some advanced electronic thermometers of the 1980's and 1990's can save time, many use expensive components. . In recent improvements in electronic thermometers, the main operating principle is the reduction of heat capacity and the reduction of the heat used around the sensor used to measure temperature and its surroundings flowing away through the metal head to other parts. Emphasis is thereby placed on the vicinity of the sensor, which quickly reaches the thermal balance and reduces the measurement time. However, in order to achieve a good heat balance and heat conduction effect, the volume of each component must be effectively reduced, which increases the material cost. The internal filler media conducts large amounts of heat to other parts, which can affect the rapid achievement of heat balance, and the metal wires connected to the sensors and used to connect to the main circuit also have thermal conductivity. Because of its goodness, the sensors in its structure can be a major part of heat energy escaping from the vicinity to the outside, which was not taken into account in the design of thermometers prior to the present invention and is also the location of the center of gravity of the present invention . The following are the disadvantages of the conventional electronic thermometer.
[0003]
1. (See FIG. 1) A conventional electronic thermometer includes a thermometer main body 10, a measuring end 21 connected to the main body 10, and a metal head 22 provided at an end of the measuring end 21. A display member 13 and a push button switch 14 are included.
Please refer to FIG. The metal head 22 provided at the end of the measurement end 21 of the conventional electronic thermometer includes a thermistor (Thermistor) 23 in the form of a water droplet, and the thermistor 23 is provided with the heat conducting material filled in the metal head 22. It is fixed to the shower 24 and connected to the conducting wire 25.
[0004]
See FIG. When the temperature measurement is started, the heat is transferred from the body to be measured to the metal head 22 as a heat flow 31 and then to the sensor 23, while at the same time a lot of heat is transferred to the heat transfer 24 or from the heat transfer 24 to the measuring end. 21 flows off as heat flow 32, and most of the heat flows off the metal head 22 directly to the measuring end 21 as heat flow 33, and part of the heat flows via the conductor 25 into a heat flow 34. All of these heat flows will flow away after each part has reached the heat balance. Since the metal head 22 has a large volume, it takes a long time to reach the heat balance, and it takes about 60 to 90 seconds.
Following the above, the main reason that the conventional electronic thermometer takes a long time to measure is that the probe volume is too large, the sensor used for the measurement reaches the thermal balance, and the whole probe is balanced. This is because that.
[0005]
2. During the period from 980 to 1990, many patents proposed a method for reducing the measurement time of an electronic thermometer. See FIG. For example, a thermometer main body 41 including a metal head 42 and a first thermistor 43 and a second thermistor 44 that are in close contact with the metal head 42 is provided. The inside of the metal head 42 is a cavity 45, and the first thermistor 43 and the Some of the two thermistors 44 are connected to a conducting wire 46 for connection to a main circuit (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a heating member 48 is provided at the measuring end near the main body 41 at the end of the metal head 42, and is connected to a control circuit by a conducting wire 46.
[0006]
See FIG. When the thermometer main body 41 is used for measuring the body temperature, the heat flow 51 is transmitted from the metal head 42 to the first thermistor 43 and further to the second thermistor 44. At this time, the heat is simultaneously formed as heat flows 52 and 53 to form the metal flow. The liquid flows from the head 42 to the measuring end of the thermometer main body 41.
According to the contents of the patent, there is a temperature difference between the first thermistor 43 and the second thermistor 44 at the start of the measurement. When the temperature difference reaches a certain level, the heating member 48 is started and heated, and the heat flow 52 is heated. It is alleged that heating the heat 48 reduces the thermal barrier and the heat of the heat flow 52 is compensated by the heating member 48. Completion of the temperature measurement only has to wait until the heat balance near the first thermistor 43 is achieved, that is, the heat balance of the metal head 42 and the conductor 46 at the front end of the heating member 48 may be achieved. Since the heat flow to the other areas is reduced and the heat balance is easily achieved, the measurement time can be reduced to within 4 to 15 seconds.
[0007]
Continuing from the above, this type of thermometer can reduce the heat volume since the metal head 42 is not filled with whiskers, and sensors at the end and side of the metal head 42 (eg, thermistors 43, 44) The temperature difference is measured through the two, and the heating member 48 is controlled to provide heat compensation, and a thermal isolation is formed at the end and other parts of the metal head, thereby shortening the measurement time.
However, this type of thermometer has the disadvantage of requiring the use of heating elements and expensive microprocessors to control the heating elements, so the cost is much higher than conventional thermometers, and the heat flow 54 through conductor 46 is less. Since it is not considered, it is a major factor affecting the time to reach heat balance.
[0008]
In addition, a heating member and a high-value microprocessor are included, and the main component of the microprocessor estimates a measurement result by a predictive algorithm. When the probe is taken out of the table, the heating member replaces the metal head of the probe. There is one that heats to a certain specific temperature (see Patent Document 2). Thereafter, the final temperature is estimated based on the temperature actually measured by the sensor by a predictive calculation method, and the measurement time is about 4 to 15 seconds.
This type of thermometer includes an internal heating element and / or a high value microprocessor and complex circuitry. This increased number of members and circuits increases the cost and the volume of the product, and is not suitable for home use.
[0009]
3. Also disclosed is an improved structure of a rapid thermometer which does not require separate heating, as shown in FIG. 6, which is provided with a thermometer main body 61, which is provided at a measuring end 62 and at an end of the measuring end 62 of the main body 61. The metal head 63 includes a sensor 64 inside the tip of the metal head 63. The sensor 64 is adhered to the inner wall of the metal head 63 with a little suddenness, and is connected to the conducting wire 65 to connect with the main circuit. (See Patent Document 3).
[0010]
FIG. 7 shows the heat flow of the improved structure of the thermometer in FIG. When the body temperature is measured by the thermometer body 61, heat is transmitted from the human body to be measured to the metal head 63 like a heat flow 71 and then to the sensor 64, while the metal head 63 generates a heat flow 72 and also via the conductor 65. Heat flow 73 is generated. The patent utilizes a reduction in the heat volume of the metal head 63 and the measured human body temperature versus the natural heating of the long metal head 63 to create a thermal barrier and reduce heat flow 72. The heat flow 73 is reduced by the use of fine wires, the patent states that the measurement time can be reduced to 20-30 seconds.
[0011]
The measurement time of the thermometer is determined by the speed of achieving the heat balance near the sensor 64, and the heat flow is 72 and 73. To achieve the heat balance quickly, the heat volume of the sensor 64 and the metal head 63 is effectively reduced. It may use expensive components, for example, the patent discloses that the applicable sensor is 503FT-3P, not the conventional 503ET, and the price of the sensor 503FT-3P is the conventional 503ET. It is about four times.
[0012]
Also, although the thin thermometer 65 is used in the structure of the thermometer, the heat flow 73 cannot be reduced completely yet, and when the metal head 63 is continuously supplied with heat from the outside, the heat balance is achieved. Heat is still continually dissipated through conductor 65, which increases the measurement time. Since the conducting wire 65 is also made of metal and has good heat conductivity, the conducting wire 65 may be a main part where heat flows out from the vicinity of the sensor 64 having the structure.
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
US Patent 4,183,248
[Patent Document 2]
US Patent 5,632,555
[Patent Document 3]
PTC WO 00/22396
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermometer structure in which the temperature sensed quickly reaches a thermal balance and is rapidly conducted, whereby the accurate temperature is rapidly exhibited.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The structure uses a natural elastic or heat conductive adhesive of the conductor itself in the metal head at the measuring end of the thermometer, and all or most of the sensor and the connected wire are tightly attached to the inner wall of the metal head. (At least 0.3 cm or more, 3 cm in the most preferred embodiment), so that the conductor portion does not become a heat loss area around the sensor, and further proceeds as a source of thermal compensation, If the thermal balance is reached due to the natural heating of the person being measured in the external world during the measurement, the thermal balance of the conductor is tightly adhered inside the metal head, so that the thermal balance is also achieved immediately, and the thermal balance around the sensor is also It can be more easily achieved, quickly represent the correct temperature and reduce the measuring time.
[0016]
Please refer to FIGS. The structure of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a thermometer main body (not shown in the drawings), and the main body may be provided with a display and a switch. However, since it is a conventional structure, it is unnecessary here. Don't explain. In the embodiment of the present invention, the measuring end 1 is integrally extended in front of the thermometer main body. The most preferable embodiment of the measuring end and the thermometer main body is made of plastic, and the end of the measuring end 1 has a metal head 2. Are connected, and the measuring end 1 and the metal head 2 are connected by the adhesive 3. A basic floor is provided outside the end where the measuring end 1 and the metal head 2 are connected, and further a concave groove 11 is provided. The concave groove 11 and the metal head 2 are connected by the adhesive 3. When this occurs, a rubber ring is naturally formed to have a waterproof function, and the adhesive 3 becomes more firm.
[0017]
A temperature sensor 4 is installed inside the metal head 2, and the sensor 4 is a temperature-related resistance, for example, a conventional thermistor 503 ET, and a wire 5 is connected to the sensor 4 to calculate and display the temperature. Connected to main circuit.
Inside the metal head 2, the conductive wire 5 uses its own natural elasticity or heat conductive adhesive, and the sensor 4 and all or most of the connected conductive wire 5 are tightly attached to the inner wall of the metal head 2. (In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first half of the conductive wire 5 is directly attached, and the second half is in a coil shape and is in contact with the conductive wire 5). If a coiled wire larger than the inside diameter of the metal head is used (the sensor 4 is connected to the wire 5) and the wire 5 is packed into the metal head 5 in a rotating manner, the conventional wire 5 for the sensor 4 is made of copper-coated steel. Since it is a line (CP wire), its elasticity is extremely good, and if it uses its own natural elasticity, it can make close contact with the inner wall of the metal head. Alternatively, the sensor 4 and the conducting wire 5 to be connected are fixed to the inner wall of the metal head 2 by a method of directly affixing, so that close contact is formed.
The part of the conductor 5 whose whole or most part is tightly adhered to the inner wall of the metal head 2 is at least 0.3 cm, and in the most preferred embodiment 3 cm.
[0018]
At the rear end of the conductive wire 5 which is in close contact with the inner wall of the metal head 2, a hard or soft fixing material 6 having a low heat conductivity and having a low heat conductivity, such as polylon or styrene foam, is used. The conductive wire 5 is fixed by utilizing the frictional force or expansion force between the material 6 and the lumen wall, and the conductive wire 5 is prevented from slipping, and at the same time, the metal head 2 and the end of the measuring end 1 are connected, and the adhesive material is used. 3, and prevents the adhesive 3 from flowing into the front end of the metal head 2. Before the anchoring material 6 has not yet been packed into the metal head 2, it may be a three-dimensional hemisphere whose diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the metal head 2, and when it is packed into the metal head 2, its peripheral ring side 7 is pressed and deformed to come into close contact with the inner wall of the metal head 2, and the front of the fixing member 6 becomes a conical shape that does not come into close contact with the inner wall of the metal head 2. The contact area between the metal head 7 and the metal head 2 is reduced, and the heat volume can be effectively reduced.
[0019]
See FIG. When measuring the temperature with the thermometer according to the embodiment of the present invention, the heat is transmitted from the human body to be measured to the metal head 2 as a heat flow 81 and then to the sensor 4, and at the same time a heat flow 82 is generated by the metal head 2, Since the heat outside the head 2 is sufficiently supplied, the heat flow 82 is not large. Also, since the heat capacity of the sensor 4 with respect to the conducting wire 5 is large, a little more heat is required to reach the heat balance. Since the conductive wire 5 is a metal material, has good heat conductivity, and is in contact with the inside of the metal head 2, a heat flow 83 is generated, and heat is transmitted to the sensor 4 via the conductive wire 5. Of course, the conductive wire 5 itself also generates a heat flow 85 to the area of the adhesive 3 and the measuring end 1, and the conductive wire 5 in close contact is long in length and in close contact with the metal head 2. However, the thermal barrier 84 is naturally formed at an appropriate place of the conductor 5, and the heat flow 82 has almost no effect on the vicinity of the sensor 4.
[0020]
If the analysis is performed based on the heat balance of the area around the sensor 4, the heat flow in the conductor 5 does not flow out unlike the conventional case, and the heat is transferred to the sensor 4. If the surrounding metal head 2 reaches a thermal balance, the thermal balance of the conductor 5 and the sensor 4 is also quickly achieved, effectively reducing the measuring time without overheating and expensive components. it can. As a result of the inventor's continuous tests, the measurement time of the thermometer of the embodiment of the present invention can be reduced to 10 to 25 seconds.
Further, since the length of the metal head 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention is longer than that of the conventional one (generally, 9 mm), the internal space of the metal head 2 is increased to make it easier to attach the lead wire 5 and to make contact with the skin. The heat-sensitive contact area can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view showing a conventional electronic thermometer.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure inside a metal head of a conventional electronic thermometer.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat flow measured by the structure of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a metal head disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,183,248.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat flow measured by the structure of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the metal head disclosed in the PTC WO 00/22396 claim.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat flow measured by the structure of FIG.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a structure of a metal head at a measuring end of a rapidly reacting electronic thermometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure inside a metal head at a measurement end of a rapidly reacting electronic thermometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat flow measured by the structure of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring end 2 Metal head 3 Adhesive 4 Sensor 5 Conductor 6 Polylon 7 Ring side 11 Groove 81, 82, 83, 85 Heat flow 84 Heat barrier

Claims (6)

An electronic thermometer that reacts quickly, a metal head is connected to a measuring end of the thermometer main body by an adhesive, and a temperature sensor and a lead wire connected to the temperature sensor are placed in the metal head,
The sensor and the connected wires are brought into close contact with the inner wall of the metal head, so that the wires do not become a part where the heat around the sensor is dissipated and become a source of heat compensation, thereby quickly increasing the accurate temperature. A rapidly responding electronic thermometer that represents and reduces the time required for measurement. 2. The fast-acting electronic thermometer according to claim 1, wherein all or most of the sensor and the connecting wire are in intimate contact with the inner wall of the metal head. 2. The rapid-reacting electronic thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the first half of the conductor is directly adhered, and the second half is coiled and closely contacts the inner wall of the metal head. Within the metal head is provided a hard or soft fixing material with a low coefficient of heat conduction that is in close contact with the lumen wall of the metal head, which can fix the conducting wire and can also support the adhesive, Prevents the adhesive from flowing into the front end of the metal head, and before its anchoring material is not yet packed into the metal head, it is a three-dimensional semi-spherical sphere whose diameter is larger than the inside diameter of the metal head, and packed into the metal head 2. The rapidly reacting electronic thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the contact area between the peripheral side of the fixing member and the metal head is reduced, and the heat capacity can be effectively reduced. 2. The fast-acting electronic thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the conductive wire is a coil having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the metal head, and is packed in the metal head so as to rotate. 2. The fast-acting electronic thermometer according to claim 1, wherein a concave groove is provided on an outer side of an end where the measuring end and the metal head are joined.

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