Ellipsoidal Mirror Optical Density Apparatus Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas detection apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization, requiring more efficient use of space to increase optical path length and gas sensitivity per volume.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical density measuring apparatus incorporates an ellipsoidal mirror and a folded mirror, with a light guiding part that includes regions defined by an ellipsoid and a plane or quadric surface, optimizing the placement of the light source and receiver to enhance optical path length and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the apparatus size is reduced for miniaturization, then the device becomes more compact, but the optical path length decreases reducing gas sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies folded mirror configurations that fold the optical path in multiple dimensions, allowing light to traverse a longer effective path length within a compact volumetric space. The ellipsoidal mirror geometry further optimizes this by concentrating light rays through focal point relationships, achieving extended optical path length without proportional increase in apparatus volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding part is nested within the case structure, with the ellipsoidal mirror and folded mirrors arranged to maximize space utilization. The nested arrangement of optical components allows the optical path to be folded multiple times within the available volume, increasing path length density.
2Measurement precision
If the optical path length is increased to enhance gas sensitivity, then measurement precision improves, but the apparatus volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folded mirror design extends the optical path into multiple spatial dimensions rather than a single linear direction. Light rays are reflected at multiple angles and folded paths, allowing the optical path length to increase in a volumetric sense while the physical footprint remains compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The ellipsoidal mirror geometry uses curved surfaces to concentrate and redirect light rays through focal point relationships. The curved reflector surface enables complex light path folding and concentration within a compact volume, achieving high optical path length density without linear expansion of the apparatus.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the light source and receiver are placed at focal points of the ellipsoidal mirror, then light collection efficiency is maximized, but the apparatus cannot be miniaturized further
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding part is segmented into multiple functional regions: the ellipsoidal mirror region for light concentration, the folded mirror regions for path extension, and the light source/receiver placement zones. This segmentation allows optimization of each region's function while maintaining overall compactness, with the folded mirrors adding path length without requiring proportional volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded mirrors introduce additional spatial dimensions to the light path, allowing the optical system to achieve extended path length through three-dimensional folding rather than requiring a larger single-dimensional space. This enables miniaturization while maintaining focal point efficiency.
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 allows for a compact and highly accurate gas detection apparatus with increased optical path length per size and enhanced gas sensitivity per volume, effectively addressing the miniaturization challenge.
Implementation Method 1
a shape of at least a part of an inner surface of the light guiding part is composed of a figure of a part of an ellipsoid E
Implementation Method 2
the light guiding part includes a folded mirror
Implementation Method 3
a light guiding part for guiding light from the light emitting part to the light receiving part
Data Source
AI summary
A compact and highly accurate optical density measuring apparatus that includes an ellipsoidal mirror and a folding mirror is provided. In the optical density measuring apparatus, the shape of at least a part of the inner surface of a light guiding part is composed of a figure of a part of an ellipsoid E, and a shape of at least a part of another portion of the inner surface of the light guiding part is composed of a figure of a part of a plane or a quadric surface. 60% or more of the area of a light source region of a light emitting part is present in a region Rin, and 60% or more of the area of a light receiving region of a light receiving part is present in a region Rout.