Modular Particle Counter with Replaceable Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particles counting devices in clean rooms are cumbersome to repair and calibrate due to their monolithic design, leading to significant downtime and maintenance costs when failures occur.
Innovation Solution
A modular particles counting device design featuring an attachable/detachable chamber module that stores reference voltage values and use-related information, allowing for easy replacement and calibration without affecting the overall device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the particles counting device is assembled in one piece (conventional design), then the device structure is simple, but the repair and calibration time is long (2-8 weeks)
Solution Approach 1:
The particles counting device is divided into separate modules: a body module and a chamber module that can be detached. The chamber module containing the laser diode and reflecting mirror can be independently removed for calibration or replacement, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire device and reducing repair time from weeks to minimal duration.
2Ease of repair
If the chamber module is made attachable/detachable, then the repair and calibration process is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a body module and a chamber module connected through standardized interfaces. This segmentation enables independent maintenance of the chamber module while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber module is designed as a universal component that can be easily attached and detached from the body module. The same module serves multiple functions (particle counting, calibration, maintenance) and can be reused after calibration, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
3Measurement precision
If the reference voltage value is stored in the chamber module, then the calibration accuracy is maintained, but the data loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference voltage value is stored in a memory device within the chamber module, creating a portable copy of the calibration data. This allows the calibration information to be preserved with the module itself, ensuring measurement precision is maintained even when the module is replaced or recalibrated.
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 modular design enables quick replacement of calibrated components, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs while maintaining accurate particle counting performance.
Implementation Method 1
a laser diode that generates laser light to make laser light collide with dust particles introduced into the optical chamber
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector that detects light scattered by particles and converts it to an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A particles counting device according to an embodiment includes a body module, and an attachable/detachable chamber module inserted into the body module in an attachable/detachable manner, wherein the attachable/detachable chamber module is provided to include a memory that stores a reference voltage value for each channel, and extract the reference voltage value for each channel from the memory for counting the number of particles according to a light scattering signal to transmit the reference voltage value to the body module, and the body module is provided to receive the light scattering signal and the reference voltage value for each channel from the attachable/detachable chamber module, and count the number of particles for each channel on the basis of the received light scattering signal and the reference voltage value for each channel.