Near-Infrared Water Vapor Distribution Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring water vapor distribution in a region are limited by temporal deviations in scanning, making it impossible to accurately capture the spatial distribution, flow, and generation source of water vapor, which is crucial for rigorous humidity control.
Innovation Solution
A water vapor distribution measurement apparatus using near-infrared light with a wavelength of 1800 nm to 1900 nm, combined with an optical system including an integrating sphere and lenses, allows for simultaneous measurement of water vapor distribution across a predetermined area without temporal delays, enhancing accuracy and reducing interference fringes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If scanning measurement is used to measure water vapor distribution in an area, then measurement coverage is improved, but temporal deviation occurs depending on scanning speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with an optical field-based simultaneous measurement system. By using a laser light source that illuminates the entire measurement area at once and a detector that captures the reflected light from all points simultaneously, the system eliminates mechanical movement and achieves both full area coverage and temporal consistency without scanning-induced deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sequential scanning to two-dimensional simultaneous optical field measurement. By illuminating the measurement area with laser light and detecting reflected light across the entire area at the same time, the system captures spatial distribution information in multiple dimensions simultaneously, eliminating temporal deviations associated with sequential scanning.
2Ease of operation
If point-based humidity sensor is used, then measurement simplicity is improved, but spatial distribution measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a measurement system that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the simplicity of optical measurement while adding spatial distribution capability. The laser illumination and reflected light detection system not only measures water vapor concentration but also provides two-dimensional spatial distribution information, making the system universally applicable for both simple and distributed measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser light as an intermediary carrier that bridges the gap between simple point measurement and complex distributed measurement. The laser light interacts with water vapor molecules across the measurement area, and the reflected light carries spatial distribution information from multiple points to the detector, enabling area-wide measurement without sacrificing operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If scanning speed is increased to improve measurement efficiency, then productivity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to temporal deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning process with a static optical field measurement system. By using laser illumination and reflected light detection across the entire measurement area simultaneously, the system achieves infinite measurement speed (no mechanical movement required) while maintaining high accuracy, completely eliminating the trade-off between scanning speed and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous measurement across the entire measurement area. The laser light continuously illuminates all measurement points at once, and the detector continuously captures reflected light from the entire area simultaneously, providing uninterrupted real-time water vapor distribution data without the intermittent nature of sequential scanning.
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
Enables precise measurement of water vapor distribution without time lag, improving accuracy and reducing noise, allowing for effective humidity control in precision devices and environments.
Implementation Method 1
a near-infrared light measurement device which is located by sandwiching a measurement space with respect to the light source, and configured to measure the near-infrared light
Implementation Method 2
an optical system configured to enlarge the near-infrared light emitted from the light source and irradiate the measurement space with the light
Data Source
AI summary
A water vapor distribution measurement apparatus comprises: a light source that emits near-infrared light; a near-infrared light measurement device that is located across a measurement space from the light source and that measures the near-infrared light; an optical system that expands and applies the near-infrared light emitted from the light source in the measurement space in which a cross-section of the measurement space perpendicular to a direction connecting the light source to the near-infrared light measurement device has an area; and a distribution deriving means for deriving a water vapor distribution in the cross-section of the measurement space on the basis of a measurement result obtained by the near-infrared light measurement device. Water vapor in a measurement region having a prescribed size can be measured by this water vapor distribution measurement apparatus.