Handheld Spectrometer Contact Sensing for Reproducible Optical Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held spectrometer devices face challenges in achieving accurate and reproducible measurements under rough environmental conditions due to insufficient or poorly defined contact with the sample, leading to incorrect light attenuation estimation.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer device equipped with a contact sensor, such as an optical contact sensor, to detect contact with the sample, combined with a wavelength-selective element and detector for analyzing light, allowing for reproducible measurements even under rough conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a baffle is used to make incident light impinge the LVF normally, then the light separation accuracy is improved, but the light throughput decreases and signal-to-noise ratio becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the baffle component from the optical path entirely. Instead of using a baffle to control light incidence, the invention employs a different optical arrangement where the LVF is positioned and oriented to receive light without requiring a baffle, thus eliminating the light throughput loss while maintaining measurement precision through alternative optical design
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a baffle to force normal incidence of light on the LVF, the invention inverts the approach by designing the optical path so that light naturally impinges the LVF in the desired manner without mechanical constraints, reversing the conventional wisdom that a baffle is necessary for proper light alignment
2Ease of operation
If hand-held spectrometer devices are used for field applications, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient contact with the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The contact sensor detects whether the spectrometer device is in proper contact with the sample before the measurement process begins. This preliminary detection allows the system to verify measurement conditions are satisfied, and only proceed with optical analysis when contact is confirmed, ensuring measurement accuracy is maintained in portable field applications
Solution Approach 2:
The contact sensor provides real-time feedback about the contact status between the spectrometer device and the sample. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and confirm proper measurement conditions, enabling accurate measurements in portable applications by continuously verifying that the device maintains sufficient contact with the sample throughout the measurement process
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 device ensures well-defined and reproducible measurement setups by accurately detecting contact with the sample, correcting light attenuation, and enhancing measurement reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A spectrometer device equipped with a contact sensor, such as an optical contact sensor, to detect contact with the sample
Implementation Method 2
one or more wavelength-selective elements for separating incident light into a spectrum of constituent wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
one or more detected devices for detecting the constituent wavelengths, such as one or more prisms, gratings, filters or the like
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A spectrometer device (110) for optical analysis of at least one sample (112) is disclosed. The spectrometer device (110) comprises: at least one housing (116) having at least one entrance window (118); at least one wavelength-selective element (120) configured for separating incident light (123) into a spectrum of constituent wavelengths, the wavelength-selective element (120) being disposed within the housing (116); at least one detector device (122) configured for detecting at least a portion of the constituent wavelengths, the detector device (122) being disposed within the housing (116); and at least one contact sensor device (126) for detecting a contact of the spectrometer device (110) with the sample (112), wherein the contact sensor device (126) comprises at least one optical contact sensor device (128), wherein the optical contact sensor device (128) is configured for detecting a contact of the entrance window (118) with the sample (112), wherein the optical contact sensor device (128) comprises at least one optical emitter device (130) and at least one optical detector device (134), wherein at least one optical signal is transmitted from the optical emitter device (130) to the optical detector device (134), wherein the optical contact sensor device (128) is configured to detect an influence of the presence of the sample (112) onto the transmission of the optical signal.