Spectrometer Vent for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In spectrometers, airtight sealing to prevent water entry leads to deformation due to temperature changes, affecting spectroscopic accuracy, especially in smaller devices, where internal pressure changes cause the support to deform, impacting the positional relationship of optical components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a vent in the support, cover, or joining member that communicates with the outside, allowing pressure equalization and reducing stray light entry, while maintaining the optical path integrity through strategic placement of vents and light shielding members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spectroscopic space is airtightly sealed to suppress entry of water, then reliability is improved, but the support deforms due to internal pressure changes from temperature variations, worsening manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is segmented into multiple regions: the vent hole provides a controlled opening in the support for pressure equalization, while the light transmitting part of the cover provides a separate controlled opening. This segmentation allows the system to maintain overall sealing while having specific localized openings for pressure relief and light entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole acts as an intermediary element between the sealed spectroscopic space and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for pressure equalization that prevents direct water entry while allowing atmospheric pressure changes to be compensated, thus protecting the optical components from deformation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a vent is provided to prevent support deformation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but stray light may enter through the vent, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the cover have different optical properties: the light transmitting part allows light to pass through to the spectroscopic space, while other parts of the cover block light. The vent hole is strategically positioned and sized to provide pressure equalization while minimizing stray light entry, demonstrating local quality differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem of stray light entering through the vent is addressed by considering the spatial dimension - the vent hole is positioned at a location and orientation where it provides pressure equalization but is geometrically arranged to minimize direct light paths from external sources into the spectroscopic space.
3Productivity
If the spectrometer is made smaller to improve portability, then productivity is improved, but the influence of support deformation on spectroscopic accuracy increases, worsening measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The vent hole provides beforehand cushioning against pressure changes by allowing the internal pressure to equalize with external pressure before temperature changes can cause significant deformation. This preventive measure is built into the structure from the beginning, protecting the compact optical components from stress-induced misalignment.
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 configuration ensures high reliability by minimizing deformation and stray light entry, maintaining accurate spectroscopic measurements and optical function, even under temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
a vent provided in at least one of the support, the cover, and the joining member, the vent open to an outside and a space defined by the support, the cover, and the light detection element, the space defined by the support, the cover, and the light detection element communicates with the spectroscopic space
Implementation Method 2
the cover may have a light transmitting member and a light shielding layer in which a light transmitting opening is formed
Implementation Method 3
the cover may have a light transmitting member and a light shielding layer in which a light transmitting opening is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer includes a support having a bottom wall part and a side wall part surrounding a spectroscopic space, a cover arranged on an opening part formed by the side wall part and provided with a light transmitting part, a joining member arranged between the cover and the opening part, a light detection element supported by the side wall part between the spectroscopic space and the cover, and an optical function part provided on a surface of the bottom wall part. A vent is provided in at least one of the support, the cover, and the joining member. The vent is open to an outside and a space defined by the support, the cover, and the light detection element. The space communicates with the spectroscopic space.