Flow Cell Window Member Flat Edge Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing flow cells with lenses as window members face instability in fixation due to line contact with resin packing, leading to potential liquid leakage, especially in high-voltage environments, and challenges in producing resin packings with curved surfaces to match the lens curvature.

Innovation Solution

A flow cell design featuring a window member with a flat peripheral edge portion and a convex lens, where the peripheral edge is in surface contact with a pressing member, allowing for stable fixation through surface contact and reducing light scattering by minimizing light transmittance through non-lens areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a resin packing is used to fix the lens to the housing, then the lens can be held in place, but the fixation becomes unstable due to line contact between the curved lens surface and the resin packing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidcontact surface geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The window member is designed with different surface geometries in different regions: the peripheral edge portion has a flat contact surface for stable fixation with the pressing member, while the central lens portion maintains its curved surface for optical function. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary flat contact area without compromising the lens curvature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The window member is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a peripheral edge portion for mechanical fixation and a central lens portion for optical purposes. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently - the peripheral edge provides stable surface contact while the central portion maintains its curved lens shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the fixing member is excessively tightened to stabilize lens fixation, then the lens holds more securely, but the resin packing flows and deforms plastically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens fixation stabilityVSAvoidresin packing structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member applies pressure specifically to the flat peripheral edge portion of the window member rather than distributing force across the entire lens surface. This localized pressure application to the rigid peripheral edge prevents excessive deformation of the resin packing while maintaining secure lens fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the lens peripheral edge is made curved to match the lens curvature, then surface contact with the resin packing is achieved, but it becomes difficult to produce the resin packing with the required curved surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidresin packing fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the resin packing conform to a curved surface, the design inverts the approach by making the window member's peripheral edge flat to match the pressing member's flat contact surface. This simplifies manufacturing of both components while achieving the desired surface contact for stable fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Illumination intensity

If light transmittance is increased across the entire window member, then more light reaches the sample, but light scattering increases from non-lens areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmittanceVSAvoidlight scattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The window member design allows the central lens portion to maintain high light transmittance for efficient sample illumination, while the peripheral edge portion can have reduced transmittance or different optical properties without affecting the overall light delivery to the sample. This local differentiation eliminates light scattering from non-lens areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides stable fixation of the lens window member, preventing liquid leakage and enhancing the reliability of the flow cell, especially in high-voltage environments, while minimizing light scattering and facilitating easy handling.

Implementation Method 1

the pressing member is in surface contact with the other surface of the peripheral edge portion of the window member to press the window member toward the cell channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface contact:

Implementation Method 2

a lens such as a hemispherical lens or a ball lens may be used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

one surface of the peripheral edge portion is provided facing the flat surface of the housing so as to seal the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10578544B2Flow cell

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A flow cell includes a housing, a window member, and a pressing member. The housing includes a cell channel in which a sample flows through, has, on at least one end side of the cell channel, an opening communicating with the cell channel, and has a flat surface at an edge of the opening. The window member has a lens portion at a central portion and a peripheral edge portion whose one surface and the other surface are flat. In the window member, one surface of the peripheral edge portion is provided facing the flat surface of the housing so as to seal the opening.