Flexible Optical Heating Element for Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectrometric measuring devices, such as breathalyzers, face issues with high electrical consumption and inhomogeneous heating due to external heating resistors, leading to inefficient energy use and suboptimal measurements.

Innovation Solution

A flexible optical article with a reflective material and integrated heating element is inserted into the measuring vessel, providing both optical reflection and heating, reducing heat loss and ensuring rapid, homogeneous temperature distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an external heating resistor is wound around the tube, then the tube can be heated to prevent condensation, but electrical consumption is high and heat loss is large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube temperatureVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the reflective layer structure, merging the heating function with the optical reflection function. This eliminates the need for separate external heating resistors and reduces heat loss to the environment, as the heating occurs directly at the reflective surface where it is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible support acts as an intermediary carrier that holds both the reflective material and the heating element in close proximity. This intermediary structure enables efficient heat transfer to the tube while maintaining the optical reflection properties, solving the contradiction between heating efficiency and optical quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If an external heating resistor is wound around the tube, then heating can be achieved, but the installation is complex and contact is not ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube temperatureVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element, reflective material, and flexible support are combined into a single integrated assembly. This merged structure simplifies installation as a complete unit that can be easily positioned and secured within the tube, eliminating the complexity of separately installing heating resistors and ensuring consistent contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible support in the form of a thin film or flexible substrate allows the heating element and reflective material to conform to the tube's internal surface. This flexibility ensures reliable contact across the entire heating surface while simplifying the installation process, as the flexible assembly can be easily inserted and positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If an external heating resistor is wound around the tube, then heating can be provided, but the temperature distribution is inhomogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube temperatureVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is distributed throughout the reflective layer structure, providing localized heating at multiple points across the tube's internal surface. This distributed heating approach ensures uniform temperature distribution by addressing thermal variations at different locations simultaneously, rather than relying on a single external heating source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating the heating element directly into the reflective layer that lines the tube's internal surface, the heating function is merged with the surface structure. This ensures intimate thermal contact and uniform heat distribution across the entire heating surface, eliminating the temperature non-uniformity caused by external heating resistors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution significantly reduces electrical consumption, achieves faster and more uniform heating, and simplifies installation, while maintaining optical quality and measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The upper face is covered with a reflective material to form an optical reflection layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A flexible heating element is disposed on at least one of the faces of the support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3047255B1Spectrometry measurement apparatus comprising a measuring cell combined with a heating device

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 OLYTHE

Figure 1~5
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device for a spectrometry measurement apparatus characterized in that it takes the form of a supple optical item (1), which item comprises a supple flexible support (10) having a top face (10a) and a bottom face (10b), the top face (10a) being covered with a reflective material (11) to form an optically reflective layer, a flexible heating element (13) being arranged on at least one of said faces of the support.