Compact Gas Detection Optics with Quadric Mirror Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas detection apparatuses face issues with aberration and reduced accuracy due to large light emitting areas, which cause the spot size to exceed the light receiving surface, especially in downsized configurations.
Innovation Solution
A gas detection apparatus with a configuration that includes quadric surfaces for the first and second mirrors, positioned higher than a reference plane, and facing convex portions in the same direction, along with a light guide member to reduce aberration and enhance measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light emitting portion has a large area, then the light emission intensity is improved, but the aberration on the light receiving portion increases and the spot size exceeds the light receiving surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved reflective surfaces (spheroidal or parabolic mirrors) instead of flat mirrors to focus light from a large-area light emitting portion onto a small light receiving surface. The curved geometry enables effective light collection and concentration, resolving the contradiction between maintaining large light emission area and achieving precise spot focus on the detector.
2Volume of moving object
If the gas detection apparatus is downsized, then the device compactness is improved, but the aberration increases and the spot size exceeds the light receiving surface
Solution Approach 1:
The use of spheroidal or parabolic reflective surfaces enables effective light focusing within a compact volume. The curved geometry concentrates light from the light emitting portion onto the light receiving surface even in a downsized configuration, maintaining detection accuracy while reducing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional curved reflective surfaces to manage light paths in multiple dimensions, enabling compact arrangement of optical components while maintaining effective light concentration on the detector surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ellipsoid mirrors are used, then the optical path is established, but the image formed blurs and aberration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies spheroidal or parabolic curved surfaces for the mirrors, which provide superior light focusing properties compared to conventional ellipsoid mirrors. These curved geometries minimize spherical aberration and produce sharper images on the light receiving surface, improving detection accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed configuration allows for a small-sized gas detection apparatus with high measurement accuracy by minimizing aberration and optimizing light guidance, enabling precise gas detection.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror that has a reflective surface being a quadric surface and reflects light emitted from the light emitting portion
Implementation Method 2
a second mirror that has a reflective surface being a quadric surface and reflects the light reflected by the first mirror to the first mirror
Implementation Method 3
the first mirror reflects the light reflected by the second mirror to the light receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
A small-sized gas detection apparatus with high measurement accuracy is provided. The gas detection apparatus includes a light emitting portion (1); a light receiving portion (2); a first mirror (3) that has a quadric reflective surface and reflects light emitted from the light emitting portion; and a second mirror (4) that has a quadric reflective surface and reflects the light reflected by the first mirror to the first mirror. The quadric surfaces of the first mirror and the second mirror have convex portions facing in a same direction. The first mirror reflects the light reflected by the second mirror to the light receiving portion. When one surface of a substrate on which the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are mounted is used as a reference plane, the first mirror and the second mirror are provided at positions higher than the reference plane and have different heights.