Micromirror Spectrophotometer Assembly with Integral Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrophotometers face challenges in efficiently aligning and securing optical components, which can lead to inaccuracies in spectral measurements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a base platform with integral assembly mounts that pre-align and secure optical components, including a diffraction grating, DMD, and detector, in a predetermined configuration, facilitating quick and repeatable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical components are manually aligned and secured in existing spectrophotometers, then the instrument can be assembled, but alignment precision and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The base platform is pre-configured with mounting features and alignment references during manufacturing, so that optical components can be directly mounted in their precise positions without requiring complex manual alignment procedures during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The base platform serves as an intermediary structure that provides standardized mounting interfaces and alignment references between the instrument frame and optical components, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining precision
2Productivity
If optical components are securely mounted in existing spectrophotometers, then structural stability is achieved, but assembly time and calibration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base platform is pre-configured with mounting features and alignment references during manufacturing, so that optical components can be directly mounted in their precise positions without requiring complex manual alignment procedures during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment references or indicators on the base platform provide visual feedback during assembly, enabling quick verification of component positions and reducing calibration time
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 solution enables precise alignment of optical components, improving the accuracy and efficiency of spectral measurements, and allowing for the measurement of various samples, including food and agricultural products.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction grating, a detector, and a digital micromirror device (DMD) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of a micromirror spectrophotometer assembly are described. In one example case, an instrument 10 includes a diffraction grating (140) to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths, a detector (180), a digital micromirror device (DMD, 160) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector, and a base platform (300) having a number of integrally formed assembly mounts. The assembly mounts are formed to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the DMD, and other optical components of the instrument in a predetermined arrangement. The instrument can also include a reference paddle (108) having a reference material for calibration of the instrument, and a rotatable sample tray (102) to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement.