Optical System With Removable Cartridge And Alignment Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for biological sample analysis, such as those using flow cells, require time-consuming alignment and maintenance, making them cumbersome for field repairs and wavelength changes.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a thermally stable enclosure and removable cartridges that allow for simple interchanging of light sources and alignment adjustments without opening the enclosure, using a base unit with a temperature controller and alignment adjustment components like Risley prism assemblies and boresight adjusters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional optical systems are used for biological sample analysis, then light beam alignment can be achieved, but the systems require time-consuming alignment and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit containing alignment adjustment optical components and a removable cartridge containing the light source. This segmentation allows the light source to be quickly replaced without disturbing the pre-aligned optical components in the base unit, eliminating time-consuming realignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment adjustment optical components are pre-configured and pre-aligned within the base unit before the cartridge is attached. This preliminary alignment action ensures that when a cartridge is installed or replaced, the light beam is already properly aligned, eliminating the need for time-consuming alignment adjustments during operation or maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical systems are used, then light sources can be replaced, but wavelength changes require realigning light beams
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the light source (in cartridge) from the alignment optics (in base unit), the system enables easy wavelength changes through cartridge replacement. Each cartridge can contain different light sources for different wavelengths, while the alignment complexity remains confined to the base unit and does not need to be recalibrated when switching wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of cartridges with different light sources. The alignment adjustment optical components in the base unit are configured to work with various wavelengths, providing multi-functional capability without requiring separate alignment procedures for each wavelength.
3Ease of repair
If field repairs are performed on traditional optical systems, then light sources can be replaced, but the enclosures must be opened and realignment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The removable cartridge design segments the light source from the alignment-critical base unit. During field repairs, only the cartridge needs to be detached and replaced, while the base unit with pre-aligned optics remains intact. This eliminates the need to open enclosures and perform complex realignment procedures during field repairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed to be self-contained with its own light source and mounting features, allowing it to be quickly replaced by simple attachment/detachment actions without requiring technical expertise in optical alignment. The base unit's pre-configured alignment components automatically ensure proper beam alignment when the cartridge is installed.
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 quick field repairs and easy wavelength changes without realigning light beams, improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance time.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally stable enclosure... configured to control the temperature in the thermally stable enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a Risley prism assembly, one or more parallel plates... configured to adjust the alignment of the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical system that includes a base unit and one or more cartridges that are removably attachable to the base unit. The one or more cartridges can include optical components configured to output a beam of light (e.g., a laser). The base unit can be configured to combine multiple beams of light (e.g., emitted by multiple cartridges) and output a combined beam of light. The cartridges can be interchanged to modify the light output by the optical system. The optical system can include thermally one or more stable enclosures and/or a temperature controller. The optical system can include one or more alignment adjustment optical components configured to adjust the alignment of one or more light beams.