Spectrometer Lead Pin Integrates Electrical Connection and Mechanical Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometers face issues with securing electrical connections between light detection elements and external wiring, and stabilizing the positional relationship between dispersive and light detection elements, due to external forces causing damage or warping.
Innovation Solution
The spectrometer design includes lead pins that penetrate through a stem and are connected to projections, serving as both electrical connectors and stabilizing stays, ensuring secure electrical connections and maintaining the positional stability of the dispersive and light detection elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible printed board is used to connect the light detection element to external wiring, then the electrical connection is achieved, but external forces can damage the electrical junctions or cause the package to warp
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function and mechanical support function into a single integrated structure. The lead pin serves both as an electrical conductor connecting the light detection element to external wiring and as a mechanical support element that resists external forces and prevents package warping. This merging eliminates the vulnerability of separate flexible printed board connections while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead pin performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connection between the light detection element and external wiring, acts as a structural support to prevent package warping, and serves as a positioning element to maintain the optical path. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and improves overall system reliability by reducing potential failure points.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support structure is simplified, then the manufacturing is easier, but the positional relationship between the dispersive part and light detection element may become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The lead pin is designed to perform multiple functions including electrical connection, mechanical support, and optical positioning. By making the positioning function integrated into the existing lead pin structure rather than requiring separate positioning components, the patent achieves accurate positioning without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead pin automatically serves as its own positioning element and structural support. The design leverages the inherent properties of the lead pin (its rigidity, length, and positioning within the package) to provide stable support for the dispersive part and light detection element, eliminating the need for additional complex positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectrometer 1A comprises a package 2 having a stem 4 and a cap 5, an optical unit 10A arranged on the stem 4, and a lead pin 3 penetrating through the stem 4. The optical unit 10A has a dispersive part 21 for dispersing and reflecting light entering from a light entrance part 6 of the cap 5, a light detection element 30 for detecting the light dispersed and reflected by the dispersive part 21, a support 40 for supporting the light detection element 30 such as to form a space between the dispersive part 21 and the light detection element 30, a projection 11 projecting from the support 40, and a wiring electrically connected to the light detection element 30. The projection 11 is arranged at such a position as to be separated from the stem 4. The lead pin 3 is electrically connected to the second terminal part while being disposed to the projection 11.