Spectroscope Alignment Using Adjustable Grating and Light Emitter Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectroscopes suffer from deviations in optical-axis direction due to dimensional and assembly tolerances, affecting focus position and emission light, leading to decreased performance and individual variability.

Innovation Solution

The spectroscope design allows for adjustable positions and angles of key components such as the concave diffraction grating, movable light reflector, and light emitter, using mechanisms like positioning pins and angle adjustment, to align the focus position with the light passing portion, minimizing deviations and enhancing performance consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If dimensional tolerance and assembly tolerance of components are considered, then manufacturing ease is improved, but optical axis deviation and focus position deviation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional tolerance and assembly toleranceVSAvoidoptical axis deviation and focus position deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by making the diffraction grating position adjustable in the optical axis direction and the light emitter position adjustable in the direction of the center axis of emitted light. This allows the optical system to compensate for dimensional and assembly tolerances by changing the positional parameters of key components, thereby maintaining optimal optical performance despite manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by transforming fixed components into adjustable ones. The diffraction grating can be moved along the optical axis, and the light emitter can be repositioned along its center axis. This dynamic adjustability enables the system to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and maintain precise optical alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If diffraction grating is rotated to increase diffraction efficiency, then light intensity is improved, but optical axis deviation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffraction efficiency and light intensityVSAvoidoptical axis deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by allowing the diffraction grating to be rotated to optimize diffraction efficiency while simultaneously providing adjustment capability in the optical axis direction to correct any resulting optical axis deviation. This dual adjustability ensures both high light intensity and precise optical alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If component positions are fixed to ensure assembly simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but focus position deviation and performance variability occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidfocus position accuracy and performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by introducing adjustable mechanisms for the diffraction grating and light emitter positions. While the basic assembly remains simple, the system includes adjustment capabilities that allow optimization of focus position and optical alignment, thereby ensuring reliable and consistent performance without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 adjustment reduces individual performance differences and ensures high light intensity, resolution, and precision, stabilizing optical characteristics despite manufacturing errors.

Implementation Method 1

a concave diffraction grating 2 that disperses wavelengths of light Li incident on the concave diffraction grating 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

a movable light reflector 3 that reflects the wavelength separated light Ld by the concave diffraction grating 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4249866B1Spectroscope and analysis system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4249866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4249866B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4249866B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4F

AI summary

A spectroscope includes: light incidence means (1) configured to allow light from an outside to be incident; a diffraction grating (2) configured to disperse wavelengths of the light incident on the diffraction grating (2) by the light incidence means (1); reflecting means (3) having a reflecting surface having an inclination variable around a rotation axis of the reflecting surface; and light emitting means (4) configured to emit the light reflected by the reflecting means (3) to the outside. At least one of the light incidence means (1), the diffraction grating (2), and the reflecting means (3), and the light emitting means (4) are changeable in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. The position of the light emitting means (4) is changeable in a direction along a center axis of the light emitted from the light emitting means (4).