Optical Filter Alignment in Luminescence Analyzer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing automated analyzer for luminescence analysis faces issues with the deterioration of the lower limit of quantification due to pressure-induced breakage of optical filters and misalignment of the highly reflective light-guide system, which affects the signal-to-noise ratio and light detection efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The configuration includes an optical filter with an outer peripheral shape smaller than the inner shape of the fitting portion, adhered to the window material or photodetector, ensuring proper alignment and preventing breakage, while maintaining high reflectivity and transmissivity to enhance light detection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the optical filter is mounted using the highly reflective light-guide system, then the SN ratio is improved, but the optical filter breaks due to localized pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSN ratioVSAvoidoptical filter durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A support portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the highly reflective light-guide system and the optical filter. This support portion distributes the pressure that was previously concentrated on the optical filter, thereby preventing filter breakage while maintaining the high SN ratio performance of the light-guide system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the optical filter and light-guide system are mounted closely, then light detection efficiency is improved, but misalignment occurs between the central axes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight detection efficiencyVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support portion is designed with a predetermined shape and structure that pre-establishes the correct positional relationship and central axis alignment between the optical filter and the highly reflective light-guide system. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures proper alignment during assembly, maintaining light detection efficiency without requiring complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the optical filter is made thinner to reduce pressure, then breakage risk is reduced, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical filter strengthVSAvoidfilter thickness control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support portion serves as a mediator that allows the use of thinner optical filters by providing the necessary structural support and pressure distribution. This enables the optical filter to be made thinner and more transparent while the support portion prevents breakage, maintaining both reliability and manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration inhibits the deterioration of the lower limit of quantification, improves the signal-to-noise ratio, and increases light detection efficiency by preventing optical filter breakage and misalignment, thus enhancing the overall performance of the luminescence analysis device.

Implementation Method 1

a highly reflective light-guide system having a highly reflective light-guide surface that reflects the light that is emitted from a sample and that enters an entry port opposing the window material and propagates the reflected light to an exit port opposing a light reception surface of the photodetector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The optical filter transmits, to between the window material and photodetector, signal emission to be measured that is emitted from a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS10935497B2Detection device for luminescence analysis and automated analyzer

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

A highly reflective light-guide system has a highly reflective light-guide surface for reflecting light that has been emitted from a sample and has entered from an entry port opposing a window material and propagating the same to an exit port opposing a light reception surface of a photodetector. An optical filter is provided in a space surrounded by the window material, the photodetector, and the highly reflective light-guide system and transmits the signal luminescence to be measured that is emitted from the sample between the window material and photodetector. The optical filter is fixed to the window material or photodetector by an adhesive, and the peripheral shape of the optical filter is smaller than the shape of the inside of a fitting part to which the optical filter is fitted and that is formed on the highly reflective light-guide system.