Flexure Tab Clamps for Optical Component Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing optical components in flow cytometers lead to damage and misalignment due to adhesive application and thickness variation, resulting in compromised signal detection.
Innovation Solution
The use of clamps with frames and flexure tabs to immobilize optical components on mounting blocks, applying an immobilizing force to prevent movement and ensure precise alignment, while allowing unobstructed light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical adhesives are used to immobilize optical components, then the components are secured in place, but there is a risk of unintended adhesive application to optical surfaces and outgassing that may damage components or compromise signal detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive substance from the system entirely, replacing it with a mechanical clamp structure that secures optical components through physical contact and elastic deformation of flexure tabs, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of adhesive application and outgassing
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary mechanical structure between the mounting block and the optical component, providing a secure connection through flexure tabs that apply controlled immobilizing force without direct adhesive contact to the optical surfaces
2Device complexity
If a plate is used to mount optical components with nominal thickness, then the mounting structure is simple, but thickness variation causes pressure imbalance making thicker filters receive excessive pressure and thinner filters become loose
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure tabs are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to variations in optical component thickness. The tabs flex to accommodate different thicknesses while maintaining consistent immobilizing force and proper alignment, eliminating the pressure imbalance problem of rigid plates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the mounting structure by using elastic flexure tabs instead of rigid plate material, enabling the structure to accommodate parameter variations (thickness) in the optical components while maintaining consistent performance
3Reliability
If rigid clamps are used to secure optical components, then the components are firmly held, but any thickness variation causes misalignment and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a rigid structure to one with elastic flexure tabs that can change their deformation state based on component thickness, maintaining both secure holding and alignment accuracy through controlled elastic deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The flexure tabs provide dynamic adaptability by elastically deforming to accommodate thickness variations while maintaining consistent immobilizing force, preventing both misalignment and damage that would occur with purely rigid clamps
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 clamps effectively secure optical components, preventing positional variation and ensuring accurate signal detection by maintaining alignment and reducing damage, thus enhancing the reliability of flow cytometry analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a flexure tab for applying the immobilizing force to the optical component
Data Source
AI summary
Clamps for operably coupling one or more optical components to a mounting block are provided. Clamps of interest include a frame and one or more flexure tabs attached to the frame. Light detection modules and systems including one or more clamps are also provided. Aspects of the disclosure additionally include methods for analyzing a sample and assembling a light detection module.