Portable Light Collector with Diffusing Element for Accurate Spectral Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for portable and accurate devices to collect and measure light, particularly for dental light curing units (LCUs), to ensure appropriate energy delivery for resin curing and to evaluate the effectiveness of protective eyewear, as current devices are either too large or ineffective for portable use.
Innovation Solution
A portable light collecting and measuring device featuring a light diffusing element with a cylindrical side and hemispherical bottom portion, connected by a light conducting conduit to a light measuring component, allowing for uniform light diffusion and accurate measurement, and optionally enclosed in an external shell with a processor for data analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bench-top integrating spheres are used for accurate light measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device portability deteriorates due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the light collection and measurement functions into separate components: a portable light collecting device with diffusing element and a separate spectrometer. This allows accurate measurement without requiring a large integrated sphere, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light conducting conduit (fiber optic cable) as an intermediary to transfer light from the portable collecting device to the spectrometer. This mediator enables accurate spectral analysis without requiring the measurement component to be co-located with the light source, maintaining both accuracy and portability.
2Volume of moving object
If cosine correctors are used for light collection, then device portability is improved, but measurement effectiveness deteriorates as size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hemispherical diffusing element that maintains effective light collection across varying angles and distances. The curved spherical geometry inherently corrects for angular variations in light incidence, providing measurement effectiveness comparable to cosine correctors while enabling a more compact, portable form factor.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective eyewear is used with LCUs, then eye protection is provided, but effectiveness varies widely due to lack of standardized testing
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides quantitative feedback by measuring the actual light transmission through protective eyewear using a spectrometer. This enables objective evaluation of eyewear effectiveness across different wavelengths, allowing users to verify protection levels and make informed selections rather than relying on unverified manufacturer claims.
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 device enables precise measurement of light across various applications, ensuring appropriate energy delivery for dental resin curing and evaluating the effectiveness of protective eyewear, while maintaining a compact and portable form.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffusing element that includes: i) an element including a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion, where the top portion includes a screen, the bottom portion includes an inner surface that is substantially hemispherical, and the side portion includes an inner surface that is substantially cylindrical
Implementation Method 2
the light conducting conduit including a first end and a second end, where the first end is optically connected to the outlet port of the light diffusing element, and the second end is optically connected to the opening in the light measuring component
Data Source
AI summary
The invention features devices and methods for collecting and measuring light from external light sources. In general, the devices of the invention feature a light diffusing element, e.g., as a component of a light collector, connected by a light conducting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic cable, to a light measuring device, e.g., a spectrometer. This light diffusing element allows, e.g., for substantially uniform light diffusion across its surface and thus accurate measurements, while permitting the total footprint of the device to remain relatively small and portable. This light diffusing element also allows flexibility in scaling of the device to permit use in a wide range of applications.