Component Sensor Substrate Total Reflection Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional component sensors using the ATR method face challenges in achieving high sensitivity without increasing size, and the deformation of infrared transmitting fibers due to moving samples results in low detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A component sensor design featuring a tube with through holes for a substrate that allows infrared light to experience total reflection, reducing deformation and enhancing sensitivity, with a substrate structure that includes protrusions for light emission and reception, and sealing members to minimize infrared absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor size is increased to achieve high sensitivity, then sensitivity is improved, but the device becomes larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is inserted through the tube, with its central part positioned inside the tube and ends outside. This nested configuration allows the substrate to be compactly integrated within the tube structure, achieving high sensitivity without increasing overall sensor size.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is oriented perpendicular to the tube axis, extending in a different dimension. This dimensional reorientation allows the light path to traverse the substrate thickness rather than following the tube length, achieving high sensitivity in a compact form factor.
2Reliability
If an infrared transmitting fiber is used to improve sensitivity without increasing size, then sensitivity is improved, but the fiber deforms under moving sample pressure resulting in low detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is extracted from the flexible fiber configuration and implemented as a rigid, through-mounted component. This extraction eliminates the deformation problem inherent in flexible fibers while maintaining the compact, high-sensitivity design.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is designed with a rigid, stable structure that resists deformation under pressure. The through-hole mounting configuration provides structural support that prevents the curvature and deformation issues encountered with flexible fibers.
3Measurement precision
If the substrate is made rigid to reduce deformation, then detection accuracy is improved, but the sensor becomes more complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is integrated with the tube structure through the through-hole configuration, merging two components into a unified assembly. This integration simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining rigid, deformation-resistant properties.
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 design achieves improved sensitivity and accuracy in detecting fluid components, allowing for miniaturization while maintaining sensitivity and reducing the impact of substrate deformation under fluid pressure.
Implementation Method 1
The infrared light entering the substrate through the first protrusion experiences total reflection inside the substrate and exits through the second protrusion to head for the light receiver
Implementation Method 2
a light emitter that emits infrared light toward the first protrusion
Implementation Method 3
a light receiver that receives the infrared light
Implementation Method 4
The tube side is provided with two through holes that each extend between an interior and an exterior of the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A component sensor detects a fluid component with improved accuracy. The component sensor includes tube (3) including tube side (4) that permits inflow of fluid (2), substrate (5) provided to tube (3), first protrusion (6) provided at one end of substrate (5), second protrusion (7) provided at another end of substrate (5), light emitter (9) that emits infrared light (8) toward first protrusion (6), and light receiver (10) that receives infrared light (8). Infrared light (8) entering substrate (5) through first protrusion (6) experiences total reflection inside substrate (5) and exits through second protrusion (7) to head for light receiver (10). Tube side (4) includes two through holes (13) that each extend between an interior and an exterior of tube (3). Substrate (5) is inserted into through holes (13) with a central part of substrate (5) being inside tube (3) and with the one end and the other end of substrate (5) that are respectively provided with first protrusion (6) and second protrusion (7) being outside tube (3).