Segmented Area Sensor for Optical Measurement Volume Delimitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement systems face challenges in precisely delimiting a measurement volume, particularly for small particles, due to fixed measurement volume sizes, complex adjustments, and reduced sensitivity caused by beam splitters, which lead to increased manufacturing and maintenance costs and reduced reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement system with an optoelectronic area sensor featuring focus and edge segments that allows for the precise delimitation of the measurement volume along and transverse to the optical axis, enabling variable and adaptable measurement volumes through signal evaluation and amplification, eliminating the need for beam splitters and complex adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter is used to distribute light to multiple photosensors, then multiple measurement volumes can be monitored, but the sensitivity is reduced due to less energy available for each detector
Solution Approach 1:
The photosensor surface is segmented into multiple independently evaluable regions, each corresponding to a specific measurement volume. This allows the entire photosensor surface to receive light from multiple volumes simultaneously without energy loss from beam splitting, while each segment can be independently evaluated to determine particle presence in its corresponding volume.
2Manufacturing precision
If a mask is placed in front of a photo sensor to define measurement volume, then the measurement volume size is determined, but the adjustment is irreversible and cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement volume definition transitions from a static mask to a dynamic, software-based segmentation approach. The photosensor surface is divided into segments that can be programmatically assigned to different measurement volumes, allowing flexible adjustment and reconfiguration without physical modifications to the sensor assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If two individual photo sensors are used with a beam splitter, then the measurement volume can be delimited, but the assembly and adjustment is associated with great effort and reduced reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple photosensors are merged into a single photosensor array or segmented surface, eliminating the need for beam splitters and multiple separate sensor assemblies. The single integrated sensor reduces alignment complexity and improves manufacturing reproducibility while maintaining the ability to define measurement volumes through surface segmentation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the measurement volume is fixed by mask position, then the setup is simple, but the size of the measuring volume is not variable
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement volume size and position become dynamically adjustable through software control of segment evaluation parameters rather than fixed by physical mask positioning. This allows the same hardware configuration to adapt to different measurement requirements by changing the active segments and their evaluation criteria.
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 solution enables precise, adaptable measurement volumes with improved sensitivity and reduced complexity, simplifying manufacturing and maintenance, and enhancing reproducibility by using a single photoelectronic component and minimizing the risk of diffraction and temperature-related errors.
Implementation Method 1
An optoelectronic area sensor with area segments... is arranged in the image plane in such a way that the imaging system images the measurement volume on at least one focus segment
Implementation Method 2
the imaging system focuses the measurement volume primarily on at least one focus segment and a region surrounding the measurement volume primarily onto at least one edge segment
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for limiting a measuring volume in an optical measuring system comprising: - an optical imaging system with an object plane in the measuring volume and an image plane; - an optoelectronic area sensor with area segments comprising at least one focus segment and at least one edge segment, which is arranged in the image plane such that the imaging system maps the measuring volume primarily onto at least one focus segment and an area surrounding the measuring volume primarily onto at least one edge segment; and an electronic evaluation device or electronic data processing device electrically connected to the area segments for evaluating the electrical signals supplied by the at least one focus segment and the at least one edge segment in order to determine whether these originate from a light source arranged in the measuring volume.