Particle Size Distribution Measuring Device Non-Target Spectrum Subtraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle size distribution measuring devices struggle to accurately calculate the size distribution of a target particle group when a non-target particle group significantly influences the measurement, leading to inaccurate results due to overlapping light intensity spectra.

Innovation Solution

A device and program that irradiate a particle group with light, using a computing device to obtain an actual spectrum, calculate a non-target spectrum based on non-target particle size distribution data and refractive index, and subtract its influence to obtain a target spectrum for accurate measurement of the target particle size distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the particle size distribution is calculated by subtracting the non-target particle distribution from the overall particle distribution based on the actual spectrum, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the non-target particle group has a great influence on the actual spectrum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of calculation processVSAvoidaccuracy of target particle size distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the actual spectrum into two distinct components: the target particle spectrum and the non-target particle spectrum. By calculating the non-target spectrum separately using non-target particle size distribution data and refractive index, the method isolates the target particle signal for more accurate analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the non-target spectrum component from the actual spectrum by calculating it independently based on non-target particle characteristics. This extracted non-target spectrum is then removed from the actual spectrum to obtain a purified target spectrum, eliminating the interference of non-target particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the non-target particle group influence is not removed, then the measurement process is fast, but the reliability of the target particle size distribution calculation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of measurementVSAvoidaccuracy of measurement result
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calculation of the non-target spectrum using pre-acquired non-target particle size distribution data and refractive index before processing the actual spectrum. This preliminary action prepares the non-target component for subtraction, ensuring accurate separation while maintaining efficient processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the non-target particle size distribution data and refractive index as intermediary parameters to calculate the non-target spectrum. These intermediaries serve as a bridge between the measured actual spectrum and the isolated target spectrum, enabling accurate decomposition

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

Enables accurate calculation of the particle size distribution of the target group even when a non-target particle group has a substantial impact, by isolating the target spectrum from the actual spectrum, thereby improving measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

light intensity signal indicating a light intensity of diffracted and/or scattered light resulting from the particle group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

light intensity signal indicating a light intensity of diffracted and/or scattered light resulting from the particle group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of photodetector configured to detect the light intensity of the diffracted and/or scattered light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3786611B1Particle size distribution measuring device and program for particle size distribution measuring device
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 HORIBA LTD
  • EP3786611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3786611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3786611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To enable the particle size distribution of a particle group which is a measurement target to be accurately calculated even in a case where a particle group which is not the measurement target has a great influence, a particle size distribution measuring device 100 irradiates with light the particle group which is the measurement target and which is accommodated in a cell 11 and calculates the particle size distribution of the particle group on the basis of a light intensity signal indicating a light intensity of diffracted/scattered light resulting from the particle group. The particle size distribution measuring device 100 includes an actual spectrum obtaining unit 21 that obtains an actual spectrum which is a light intensity spectrum obtained from the light intensity signal; a non-target spectrum calculating unit 22 that receives non-target particle size distribution data indicating a particle size distribution of a non-target particle group which is not the measurement target X and which is accommodated in the cell 11 and that calculates, on the basis of the non-target particle size distribution data, a non-target spectrum which is a light intensity spectrum to be obtained by irradiating the non-target particle group with light; a non-target spectrum removing unit 23 that calculates a target spectrum which is a light intensity spectrum obtained by subtracting an influence of the non-target spectrum from the actual spectrum; and a target particle size distribution calculating unit 24 that calculates the particle size distribution of the particle group which is the measurement target X on the basis of the target spectrum.