Self-aligning Lamp Assembly for Optical Absorbance Instruments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Instruments for measuring optical absorbance face alignment issues due to light source replacement, particularly in compact devices where improper alignment can occur, leading to costly and disruptive maintenance when the light source cannot be replaced in the field.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning light source and detector assembly with a sensor support and light source holder in fixed positions, utilizing mating surfaces and set screws to maintain alignment, allowing for easy lamp replacement without disturbing the alignment between the light source and detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the light source is made replaceable for maintenance purposes, then ease of repair is improved, but alignment between light source and detector deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is divided into separate functional modules: a fixed detector assembly and a replaceable lamp assembly with its own holder. This segmentation allows the lamp to be replaced independently without disturbing the detector's precise alignment, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp holder and detector are pre-aligned during manufacturing with precise positioning features (shoulders, bores, set screws) that ensure correct relative positioning. This preliminary alignment action is locked in place and remains undisturbed during routine lamp replacement, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling easy repair.
2Ease of operation
If the instrument is made compact for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp assembly is nested within the lamp holder, which itself is mounted in the mounting block. The detector assembly is similarly nested in the mounting block. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging while maintaining stable relative positions through precision-machined interfaces (bores, shoulders, set screws) that prevent misalignment even in a compact configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9
AI summary
Self-aligning light source and detector assembly (11) having a sensor support (52) mounted in a predetermined, fixed position, a light source holder (27) mounted in a predetermined, fixed position relative to the sensor support, a sensor (51) mounted in a fixed position on the sensor support, and a lamp assembly (26) removably mounted to the light source holder in a predetermined position defined by mating surfaces which engage each other and seat the lamp assembly in the predetermined position whenever the lamp assembly is installed in the holder.