Particle Sensor Device Using Focused Optical Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scattered-light particle counters face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and accuracy for small particles due to low intensity of optical radiation, require high power consumption, and are bulky, making them unsuitable for mobile or networked systems.
Innovation Solution
A particle sensor apparatus that focuses optical radiation using a lens element to create a high-intensity focus region, enabling sensitive detection of particles, with reduced power consumption and miniaturization, and incorporating a VCSEL laser and integrated photodiode for self-mixing interference analysis to filter out ambient light, allowing for versatile particle property analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional scattered-light particle counters use weak emission optical sources, then the device can be miniaturized and power consumption reduced, but the intensity of optical radiation in the measurement region is insufficient for accurate small particle detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic focusing of optical radiation onto a small focus region using lens elements. The optical source emits radiation that is dynamically concentrated into a small volume at the focus region, creating high intensity locally while the source itself remains compact and low-power. This resolves the contradiction by making intensity localized rather than requiring high overall emission power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from volumetric illumination to point-like focus region illumination by introducing lens elements that concentrate radiation in spatial dimensions. The optical radiation is transformed from distributed emission to concentrated focus, achieving high intensity in a small region without requiring high power consumption from the source.
2Measurement precision
If conventional particle counters use large measurement cells and high power sources, then detection accuracy for small particles is improved, but the device size and power consumption increase, making them unsuitable for mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating optical radiation into a small focus region with high intensity, rather than illuminating a large volume. This localized high-intensity region enables accurate detection of small particles (down to 1 μm) while keeping the overall device compact and suitable for mobile applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic focusing to create a movable, adjustable focus region that can be positioned precisely in the measurement volume. This dynamic concentration of optical radiation enables high measurement precision in a compact device, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and device size.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional scattered-light particle counters illuminate large volumes, then the measurement region is sufficient for particle detection, but ambient light interference and background signals increase, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized high-intensity focus region that is spatially distinct from the surrounding measurement volume. This local concentration of optical radiation enables particle detection while minimizing exposure to ambient light interference, as the focus region can be positioned to avoid areas with high background light signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lens elements as intermediaries that concentrate optical radiation into a small focus region. These lens elements act as mediators that separate the particle detection function from ambient light interference, allowing precise measurement by focusing radiation onto particles while the surrounding ambient light is excluded from the detection path.
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 apparatus achieves accurate and error-free particle identification with reduced power consumption and size, enabling mobile and networked applications, while automatically filtering out background signals and allowing for efficient detection of small particles.
Implementation Method 1
the emitted optical radiation is focusable by way of the at least one lens element onto a focus region
Implementation Method 2
If laser beam 18 strikes at least one particle 16a of air stream 16 inside the transilluminated portion of measurement cell 14, at least some photons of laser beam 18 are then scattered onto photodetector 12 as scattered output 20
Implementation Method 3
the emitted optical radiation and/or the scattered optical radiation are analyzed by way of the self-mixing interference effect
Data Source
AI summary
A particle sensor apparatus having an optical emitter device that is configured to emit an optical radiation so that a volume having at least one particle possibly present therein is at least partly illuminatable; an optical detector device having at least one detection surface that is struck by at least a portion of the optical radiation scattered at the at least one particle, at least one information signal regarding an intensity and/or an intensity distribution of the optical radiation striking the at least one detection surface being outputtable; and an evaluation device with which an information item regarding a presence of particles, a number of particles, a particle density, and/or at least one property of particles is identifiable and outputtable, the particle sensor apparatus also encompassing at least one lens element that is disposed so that the emitted optical radiation is focusable onto a focus region inside the volume.