Miniature Spectrometer Grating Assembly with Cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniature spectrometers face challenges in precisely and easily assembling and positioning miniature diffraction gratings due to their brittle nature and limited thickness, which can lead to performance issues and damage during handling.
Innovation Solution
A miniature spectrometer design incorporating a cushion and affixing plate to precisely position and affix a miniature diffraction grating within a grating accommodation slot, using a compressive force to secure the grating without damaging it, and employing elastic materials to prevent damage from external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional assembly methods are used for miniature diffraction gratings, then the grating can be positioned, but the grating is easily damaged due to its brittle nature and limited thickness
Solution Approach 1:
A cushion member is disposed between the affixing plate and the miniature diffraction grating to provide beforehand cushioning. The cushion member has a first surface facing the miniature diffraction grating and a second surface facing the affixing plate, creating a protective interface that distributes compressive forces and prevents direct contact between the affixing plate and the fragile grating, thereby avoiding damage during the affixing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion member acts as an intermediary element between the affixing plate and the miniature diffraction grating. This mediator transfers the affixing force from the affixing plate to the grating while protecting the grating from direct mechanical contact, enabling secure positioning without causing damage to the brittle component.
2Volume of moving object
If the miniature diffraction grating is made thinner to achieve miniaturization, then the spectrometer size is reduced, but the grating becomes more fragile and harder to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion member provides beforehand cushioning to compensate for the reduced strength of the thinner grating. By distributing the mechanical stress across a larger area and providing a compliant interface, the cushion member protects the thin grating from damage during assembly and operation, enabling miniaturization without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the assembly process by introducing a compliant cushion member that modifies the stress distribution. This allows the use of thinner, more fragile gratings by altering the mechanical interaction from direct rigid contact to distributed compliant contact, thereby enabling miniaturization while maintaining grating strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning of the grating is required for performance, then complex positioning mechanisms are needed, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion member enables self-service positioning where the grating automatically settles into its precise position through the compliant interface. The cushion member's elasticity allows the grating to be gently guided and positioned without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms, achieving precise alignment through the natural settling process during assembly.
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 design enhances the precision and convenience of grating positioning, prevents damage to the brittle diffraction grating, and ensures stable operation by using a cushion and affixing plate to secure the grating in place, addressing the challenges of miniaturization and material fragility.
Implementation Method 1
The miniature diffraction grating is configured to separate the optical signal into a plurality of spectral components that are projected onto the light sensor
Implementation Method 2
The affixing plate applies a compressive force on the cushion to affix the miniature diffraction grating in the grating accommodation slot
Implementation Method 3
The cushion is disposed above the miniature diffraction grating, and the cushion and the miniature diffraction grating are disposed in the grating accommodation slot
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature spectrometer comprises an input port, a light sensor, a miniature diffraction optical grating, an optical grating accommodation slot, a cushion, and an affixing plate. The miniature spectrometer may further comprise a waveguide device, and the optical grating accommodation slot is positioned in a space defined by an opening of the waveguide device. The input port receives an optical signal which proceeds in the waveguide device. The miniature diffraction optical grating separates the optical signal into numerous spectral components to be projected onto the light sensor. The cushion is stacked on the miniature diffraction optical grating, with both disposed in the optical grating accommodation slot. The affixing plate is disposed on the waveguide device to apply a compressing force on the cushion to affix the miniature diffraction optical grating in the optical grating accommodation slot.