SERS Unit Evacuated Package Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface enhanced Raman scattering units face deterioration due to moisture and foreign matter ingress, especially when the support is made of resin, leading to oxidation and physical interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A surface enhanced Raman scattering unit with a flexible, evacuated bag-shaped package that contacts the opening edges of the support, creating a sealed space while preventing moisture and foreign matter entry, and includes a moisture absorption layer to maintain a dry environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening of the cavity is covered with an easily breakable cover, then the optical functional portion is protected from physical interference, but moisture can still enter through the support itself causing oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible resin support that forms a sealed cavity enclosing the optical functional portion. This flexible shell structure provides both mechanical protection and moisture barrier functionality, eliminating the need for separate breakable covers while preventing moisture ingress through the support material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity within the resin support is evacuated to create a vacuum or inert atmosphere environment. This removes moisture and oxygen from the vicinity of the optical functional portion, preventing oxidation and chemical deterioration while maintaining structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the package is made flexible and bag-shaped to seal the opening, then moisture entry is prevented, but physical interference with the optical functional portion may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible resin support forms a precise cavity that contours around the optical functional portion, creating a protective envelope that seals against moisture while maintaining adequate spacing. The flexibility allows the support to conform without rigid contact that could cause interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by creating a three-dimensional cavity within the resin support structure. This vertical spacing separates the optical functional portion from the outer surfaces of the support, preventing physical interference while the sealed cavity structure prevents moisture ingress.
3Ease of manufacture
If the support is made of resin for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing is simplified, but moisture can penetrate the support causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The resin support is manufactured as a seamless flexible shell structure that encloses the optical functional portion. This molded cavity structure eliminates joints, seams, or openings that could allow moisture penetration, while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of resin fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin support structure is designed to accommodate an evacuated cavity, creating an inert or vacuum environment that prevents moisture penetration issues inherent to resin materials. This allows the use of resin for ease of manufacture while eliminating its moisture permeability drawback.
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
The solution effectively prevents deterioration of the optical functional portion by maintaining a dry and interference-free environment, ensuring stable operation of the SERS unit.
Implementation Method 1
a package that accommodates the support and is evacuated
Implementation Method 2
the package is bent toward the optical functional portion in a state in which the package is spaced apart from the optical functional portion in the opening, and the package is bent toward the optical function portion due to evacuation
Data Source
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AI summary
An SERS unit includes a support 10 that includes a cavity 11 provided with an opening 12, an optical functional portion 20 that is disposed in the cavity 11 to face the opening 12 and causes surface enhanced Raman scattering, and a package 5 that accommodates the support 10 and is evacuated. The package 5 is in contact with at least an edge 12a of the opening 12, and is bent toward the optical functional portion 20 in a state in which the package 5 is spaced apart from the optical functional portion 20 in the opening 12.