Patent ID: 7988352
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. An improved probe structure, installed in a body of an infrared clinical thermometer, comprising: a plastic hollow casing having an opening; a hollow sleeve having a front end defining a curved block, said hollow sleeve being arranged inside said casing and said curved block being disposed in juxtaposition with a perimeter of said opening, the curved block having an arcuate concave inner surface plated with a coating to increase reflectivity thereof for thereby concentrating infrared radiation from a surface being measured and reflect infrared radiation from divergent sources; a temperature sensor arranged inside said sleeve and below said curved block, said sensor including a housing and a temperature sensing element disposed within said housing; 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, said thermal insulation ring having an upper edge disposed contiguous with a bottom edge of said curved block, wherein said thermal insulation ring has an outer diameter larger than a diameter of said housing of said temperature sensor, and a first gap is thus formed between said temperature sensor and said inner wall of said sleeve, and wherein said upper edge of said thermal insulation ring has an altitude higher than a top of said housing of said temperature sensor to thereby space said top of said housing from said curved block to define a second air gap between said top of said housing and said bottom edge of said curved block.