Scattering Receiver Array for Optical Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical devices for measuring refraction, scattering, and absorption face inaccuracies due to complex heterogeneous structures, where components are influenced differently by temperature and external factors, leading to calibration challenges and high manufacturing efforts, and the measurement of scattering is disrupted by interfering radiation and varying particle sizes.

Innovation Solution

A device with a simplified structure featuring at least two scattering receivers on a common planar or spherically curved surface, a refraction receiver, and a reference receiver, optimized to receive saturated and linear scattered radiation, and transmission radiation, allowing for better correction of refraction measurements and precise angle-dependent scattering analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex heterogeneous structure with multiple receivers and radiation sources is used to measure refraction, scattering, and absorption, then the ability to determine multiple optical quantities is improved, but the components are influenced differently by temperature and external factors leading to calibration challenges and high manufacturing efforts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to determine multiple optical quantitiesVSAvoidcomplex heterogeneous structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple receivers (refraction receiver, scattering receivers, transmission receiver) and radiation sources into a common plane, creating a homogeneous structure where all components are subject to the same temperature and external conditions. This merging approach maintains the ability to measure multiple optical quantities while eliminating the calibration challenges associated with heterogeneous structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a homogeneous arrangement where all receivers and radiation sources are positioned in a common plane, ensuring they experience identical environmental conditions. This homogeneity simplifies calibration by ensuring uniform influence from temperature and external factors across all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

2Measurement precision

If multiple receivers are arranged at different locations to measure different optical quantities, then measurement capability is improved, but parasitic radiation and interfering radiation from other interfaces disrupt the measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capability for multiple optical quantitiesVSAvoidparasitic radiation and interfering radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the detection of different radiation types into specialized receivers positioned at specific locations in the common plane. The refraction receiver detects only refraction radiation, scattering receivers detect only scattered radiation, and the transmission receiver detects only transmitted radiation, eliminating cross-interference between measurement channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a protective element positioned between the radiation sources and the sample, and between the sample and the receivers. This intermediary component filters out parasitic radiation and interfering radiation from interfaces, allowing only the desired radiation types to reach the respective receivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a simplified structure with receivers in a common plane is used, then manufacturing effort and calibration are reduced, but the ability to perform angle-dependent scattering analysis may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing effort and calibrationVSAvoidangle-dependent scattering analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions scattering receivers at different angular positions within the common plane, adding an angular dimension to the measurement capability. This allows angle-dependent scattering analysis to be performed while maintaining the simplified homogeneous structure that facilitates easy manufacturing and calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 parasitic radiation, enhances measurement accuracy, and increases the versatility of the device by allowing for clear interpretation of scattering and transmission data without interference, leading to improved calibration functions and more precise concentration determinations.

Implementation Method 1

radiation falls divergently onto an imaging lens and is coupled into the sample in a parallelized manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The radiation transmitted through the sample is imaged onto a receiver by the lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Lens

Implementation Method 3

this coupling radiation reaches a mirror downstream of the sample and is reflected back into the sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

at least a first and a second scattering receiver for receiving scattered radiation from the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 5

at least one refraction receiver arranged in the surface of the scatter receiver for receiving radiation specularly reflected at a sample-side boundary surface of the protective element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpecular reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 6

The absorption provides information on absorbing substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2981809B1Device for measuring the scattering of a sample
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 L U M GES FUR LABOR UMWELTDIAGNOSTIC & MEDIZINTECHN
  • EP2981809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2981809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2981809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for measuring the scattering of a sample (2). Said device comprises at least one first and one second scattering receiver (16, 17) for capturing scattered rays from the sample (2); and at least one imaging element (6) via which rays can reach the sample (2) and from the sample (2) to the scattering receiver (16, 17). According to the invention, the first and the second scattering receivers (16, 17) are arranged in a common flat or approximately spherically curved surface (3), which is oriented perpendicular to an optical axis of the imagining element (6). The first scattering receiver (16) is designed and arranged to capture saturated scattered rays from the sample (2) and the second scattering receiver (17) is designed and arranged to capture linearly scattered rays from the sample (2).