Concentration Measurement Device Optical Connection Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-line type concentration measurement devices face measurement accuracy issues due to connection losses and reflection attenuation at optical fiber end faces, which can be exacerbated by dust and repeated connection pressures, leading to increased measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
The concentration measurement device integrates the light source and photodetector within the electric unit, eliminating the need for optical fibers between them, and uses FC connectors that are detachably screwed to the unit's housing, ensuring direct contact between optical fibers and optical elements to minimize connection errors and dust ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fibers are used to connect the measurement cell and the photodetector, then the light transmission can be achieved, but connection loss and reflection attenuation occur at the optical fiber end faces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical fiber from the optical path between the measurement cell and photodetector. Instead of using optical fiber connection, the measurement cell is directly coupled to the photodetector, eliminating the optical fiber end faces that cause connection loss and reflection attenuation. This extraction of the problematic optical fiber component directly resolves the contradiction by removing the source of measurement errors while maintaining light transmission capability.
2Ease of operation
If FC connectors are used for optical fiber connection, then detachable connection is achieved, but dust ingress and connection errors increase with repeated connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the FC connector and optical fiber assembly from the system. By directly coupling the measurement cell to the photodetector without using detachable optical connectors, the invention removes the source of dust ingress and connection errors that occur with repeated FC connector operations, while still allowing for system assembly and disassembly at a higher level.
3Device complexity
If optical fibers are connected through adapters, then the measurement cell can be separated from the photodetector, but connection loss and reflection attenuation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement cell and photodetector into a directly coupled optical system, eliminating the need for adapters and intermediate optical fiber connections. This direct coupling removes the multiple interfaces that cause connection loss and reflection attenuation, while the modular design is maintained at the system level through the separation of the fluid unit and electric unit.
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
This configuration enhances measurement accuracy by reducing optical signal loss and connection-related errors, improving the reliability and precision of concentration measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a light of a predetermined wavelength is made incident from a light source through a light incident window to a measurement cell for flowing a measurement gas, and absorbance is measured by receiving transmitted light passing through the measurement cell by a light receiving element
Implementation Method 2
the concentration of the measured gas can be obtained from the measured absorbance according to the Lambert-Beer law
Data Source
AI summary
The concentration measurement device 100 includes an electric unit 20 having a light source 22 and a photodetector 24, a fluid unit 10 having a measurement cell 1, optical fibers 11 and 12 for connecting the electric unit 20 and the fluid unit 10 and is configured to measure the concentration of the fluid in the measurement cell by detecting the light incident from the light source 22 to the measurement cell and then emitted from the measurement cell by the photodetector 24, where optical connection parts 32 and 34 connected to the optical fibers 11, 12 and the light source 22 or the photodetector 24 are integrally provided in the electric unit 20.