PCB Application boosts infrared thermometer performance. These thermometers stand out amid temperature measurement needs during ongoing global public health events like chikungunya fever outbreaks. Fever is often the primary symptom after infection, making temperature measurement a core method for screening suspected cases—especially in crowded areas like hospitals, subway stations, and railway stations, where common temperature tools fall into three categories.
The first category includes contact-based tools such as mercury thermometers; the second category covers close-contact devices like infrared forehead thermometers. Both require direct or near contact with the human body, posing a risk of cross-infection. Additionally, they are time-consuming, low-efficiency, and demand manual operation, consuming substantial human and material resources.
The third category—the prominent infrared thermal imaging thermometer—converts invisible infrared energy from the human body into a visible thermal image. In essence, it turns a single temperature value into a comprehensive temperature distribution image. Its key advantages are non-contact measurement, high efficiency, and real-time visualization, all underpinned by high-performance PCBs.
PCB Application: The Core Enabler of Thermal Imaging Thermometers
PCBs play an irreplaceable role in these thermometers, mainly reflected in three aspects:
- Signal processing hub: The infrared sensor collects thermal radiation signals, which are converted into electrical signals for microprocessor processing. PCBs provide stable circuit paths between the sensor, ADC, and microprocessor, minimizing signal loss and ensuring accurate data conversion—critical for precise temperature calculation.
- Component integration and miniaturization: Modern thermal imaging thermometers pursue portability and compactness. PCBs, especially high-density interconnect (HDI) PCBs, enable the integration of multiple components (such as power management modules, display drivers, and communication chips) in a limited space. This integration not only reduces the overall size of the device but also enhances the coordination between components, improving operational stability.
- Thermal stability guarantee: Temperature measurement accuracy is highly sensitive to environmental changes. PCBs with excellent thermal conductivity (e.g., metal-core PCBs) dissipate heat from internal components, preventing overheating from affecting sensor performance. High-quality PCB processes (like anti-corrosion coating) also enhance durability in high-frequency public use scenarios.
In summary, the advantages of infrared thermal imaging thermometers in responding to public health events like chikungunya fever and daily screening rely on PCB technology. As the device’s “nerve center,” PCBs drive thermal imaging tech towards higher accuracy, smaller size, and stronger stability.
