Light Guide Array With Integral Grooves And Optical Isolation Frame
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in manufacturing light guides for radiation detectors, such as those used in PET systems, lies in handling and aligning numerous individual light guides, which can lead to damage and inconsistencies, affecting scintillation count rates and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a light guide array with integral grooves and an optical isolation frame, where the frame's slats are bonded into the grooves, allowing for easier handling and alignment, and the bottom portion is later removed to create a cohesive assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual light guides are handled and mounted separately, then each light guide can be precisely positioned, but the complexity of assembly increases and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual light guides are merged into a single integrated light guide array structure. The array includes a top portion with light guide channels and an integral bottom portion that acts as a support structure, allowing multiple light guides to be handled and mounted as one unit rather than individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide array is segmented into functional regions including a top portion containing light guide channels defined by grooves, and an integral bottom portion providing support. This segmentation allows the array to be manufactured as a single piece while maintaining distinct functional zones.
2Productivity
If numerous individual light guides are handled repeatedly, then assembly can be completed, but the likelihood of damage or misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guides are combined into a single integrated array that can be handled as one piece throughout the assembly process. The integral bottom portion provides structural support that maintains the relative positions of all light guides, eliminating the need for repeated handling of individual guides.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual light guides are mounted separately, then each can be aligned with photosensors, but the time and complexity of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guides are merged into an integrated array that can be aligned and mounted to the photosensor array as a single unit. The integral bottom portion maintains precise relative positioning of all light guides, allowing simultaneous alignment of multiple light guides rather than sequential alignment of individual guides.
4Ease of operation
If a light guide array with integral support structure is used, then handling is simplified, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom portion of the light guide array is manufactured as an integral support structure from the beginning. This preliminary integration of the support structure simplifies subsequent handling and assembly operations, even though it requires coordinated manufacturing processes for the entire array.
5Manufacturing precision
If the bottom portion is removed after bonding, then the light guide array is finalized, but an additional manufacturing step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom portion is manufactured as an integral part of the light guide array to provide support during assembly operations. After the array is bonded to the photosensor array and alignment is confirmed, the bottom portion is removed to complete the assembly. This preliminary use of the bottom portion as a support structure enables precise final positioning.
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 approach simplifies the assembly process, reduces the risk of damage, and enhances the consistency and quality of light transmission, improving the reliability of radiation detectors.
Implementation Method 1
bonding the light guide array and the optical isolation frame to each other such that the slats in the optical isolation frame are disposed within their corresponding grooves
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a light guide assembly includes the steps of providing a light guide array made of a light-transmissive material and having a top portion and an integral bottom portion supporting the top portion, wherein grooves are formed on a top surface of the top, providing an optical isolation frame of interconnected slats made of an opaque material wherein the slats are arranged and profiled to correspondingly match the grooves in the light guide array, bonding the light guide array and the optical isolation frame to each other, and removing the bottom portion of the light guide array.