Sample Detector Aperture Light Guidance for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample detectors require optical lenses to guide light, increasing component and manufacturing costs, and device size, especially when multiple light sources are used, leading to potential errors due to external light interference.
Innovation Solution
A sample detector using a pair of light sources with a single aperture positioned between them to direct light beams to non-overlapping regions within the detection area, allowing for accurate determination of sample presence through signal comparison and correction, and an additional aperture to block external light, eliminating the need for optical lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical lenses are used to guide light from multiple light sources to the detection area, then light guidance accuracy is improved, but component cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive optical lenses with a simple aperture structure that has no moving parts and minimal material requirements. The aperture is formed as a simple opening in a light-shielding plate, eliminating the need for precision-ground optical elements while maintaining sufficient light guidance accuracy for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the optical lens system with a geometric aperture-based light guidance mechanism. Instead of relying on refractive optics, the invention uses the physical geometry of the aperture and light-shielding plates to define light paths, replacing complex optical mechanics with simple geometric constraints.
2Measurement precision
If optical lenses are incorporated into the device, then light guidance is improved, but device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light guidance function from complex optical lens assemblies and implements it through simple aperture structures integrated into the device housing or light-shielding plates. This separation of functions allows the main device structure to remain simple while providing adequate light guidance through geometric apertures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light-shielding function and light guidance function into a single integrated structure. The light-shielding plates with apertures serve dual purposes: blocking unwanted light paths and defining the desired light paths from sources to detection area, eliminating the need for separate optical components.
3Measurement precision
If optical lenses are used for each light source, then light guidance accuracy is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single aperture structure that serves multiple light sources simultaneously. The light-shielding plates with apertures are positioned to guide light from multiple LED sources to the detection area without requiring individual optical components for each source, thereby reducing overall device size while maintaining guidance accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple light sources and apertures in a three-dimensional configuration where light paths are separated spatially. By utilizing vertical and lateral spacing, the invention guides light from multiple sources through a compact arrangement of apertures without requiring each source to have its own lateral optical element, thus reducing device footprint.
4Device complexity
If light is directed toward the detection area without guidance means, then device complexity is reduced, but light reaches portions other than the detection area causing erroneous determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-shielding plates with apertures as intermediary structures between the light sources and detection area. These plates act as mediators that selectively allow light to pass only through defined aperture paths to the detection area, blocking light that would otherwise reach non-detection regions and cause erroneous measurements.
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 reduces component costs, simplifies installation, and provides accurate sample detection while preventing external light interference, resulting in a compact and cost-effective device capable of measuring blood glucose concentration and hematocrit.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving element which receives two light beams directed from the paired light sources to the detection area and having passed through the detection area
Data Source
AI summary
A sample detector B includes a member 6 provided with an aperture 60, as well as a light receiving element 5 which receives two light beams directed from a pair of light sources 40, 41 to a detection area AR and having passed through the detection area and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light received, and a determination means 8 for determining whether or not a sample is properly supplied to the detection area AR based on the signal. Two light beams emitted from the paired light sources 40, 41 travel through paths defined by the aperture 60 to regions ARr, ARf of the detection area AR which are positionally deviated from each other. With this arrangement, whether or not a sample is properly supplied to the detection area AR is precisely determined without using an expensive component such as an optical lens.