Gemstone Testing Probe Using Dual UV and Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing precious stone testing apparatuses face challenges in accurately distinguishing between natural diamonds, CVD/HPHT diamonds, moissanite, and other gemstones due to similarities in thermal conductivity and UV light absorption, and UV LED chips deteriorate over time, affecting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A precious stone testing apparatus with independently configured long-wave and short-wave UV lamps, separated by a partition member, and a thermal conductive tube for simultaneous testing, using UV light reflection analysis and thermal conductivity to identify stone types, with a central control unit for coordinated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If long-wave and short-wave UV LED chips are packaged together on the same substrate, then the device structure is compact and integration is high, but the UV LED chips deteriorate over time due to mutual interference and heat, affecting testing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the UV light source into separate long-wave and short-wave UV LED chips that are independently packaged rather than integrated on the same substrate. This segmentation prevents mutual interference and heat accumulation between different wavelength LEDs, extending their operational life and maintaining testing accuracy while still achieving compact device design through separate mounting arrangements.
2Productivity
If thermal conductivity testing is used alone, then the testing process is simple and fast, but natural diamonds cannot be distinguished from CVD/HPHT diamonds and moissanite due to similar high thermal conductivity values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal conductivity testing with long-wave and short-wave UV light absorption testing into a single integrated system. The testing probe simultaneously measures thermal conductivity and UV light transmission characteristics, allowing differentiation between natural diamonds, CVD/HPHT diamonds, and moissanite by analyzing the combined results of both test types rather than relying on thermal conductivity alone.
3Device complexity
If only thermal conductivity detection is used, then the device structure is simple, but differentiation between diamond types and moissanite is insufficient due to similar thermal properties
Solution Approach 1:
The testing probe is designed with multi-functionality, integrating both thermal conductivity detection capabilities and UV light transmission detection capabilities into a single device. This universal probe can perform multiple types of gemstone analysis simultaneously, providing comprehensive identification of diamond types and moissanite without requiring separate specialized devices for each test type.
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
Ensures accurate and durable identification of various precious stones by preventing UV lamp deterioration and providing precise UV light reflection analysis, enhancing testing accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a long-wave UV LED chip configured to emit a type of ultraviolet A radiation (long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light) in a wavelength range of 320nm to 400nm
Implementation Method 2
a short-wave UV LED chip configured to emit a type of ultraviolet C radiation (short-wave ultraviolet (UV) light) in a wavelength range of 200nm to 280nm
Implementation Method 3
reflections of the UVA LED light and the UVC LED light penetrated through the stone being tested are guided and focused by the quartz light guide column to the UVA/UVC optical sensor
Implementation Method 4
a thermal conductive tube configured to be heated by the heating device and having at least one portion extended out of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A precious stone testing apparatus includes a testing circuit housed in a housing and tester probe unit extended from one end of the housing. The testing circuit includes a UVA/UVC LED module adapted to emit UVA LED light and UVC LED light onto a stone being tested and a heating system adapted to apply heat to the stone being tested. When the stone being tested is placed close to a testing end of a quartz light guide column, reflections of the UVA and UVC LED lights to the stone being tested are guided back to a UVA/UVC optical sensor while a thermal conductive tube encircling the quartz light guide column applies heat generated from the heating system to the surrounding of the stone being tested at the same time.