Spectroscope Thermal Shielding for Stable Wavelength Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precision of displacement gauges using a color confocal optical system is degraded due to temperature gradients caused by light leakage from nearby light sources, leading to inaccurate wavelength calibration and measurement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating low-emissivity members on specific sides of the spectroscopic element and detector, and in some cases, high-emissivity members, to reduce temperature gradients and enhance thermal equilibrium, along with a partition wall to inhibit direct heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a light source is arranged in the vicinity of the spectroscope, then the measurement device can be compact, but temperature gradient is generated in the spectroscope causing precision degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A partition wall is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and spectroscope. This partition wall blocks direct radiant heat transfer from the light source to the spectroscope, preventing temperature gradient formation while allowing the components to remain in close proximity for compact device design
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal radiation path is extracted or separated from the optical path by positioning the spectroscope on the opposite side of the partition wall relative to the light source. This spatial separation of thermal and optical functions maintains compactness while preventing precision degradation
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed after thermal equilibrium is reached, then wavelength calibration precision is improved, but measurement start time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall that blocks thermal radiation also prevents the light source from continuously heating the spectroscope. This converts the previously harmful thermal coupling into a beneficial thermal isolation, allowing the spectroscope to maintain stable temperature and wavelength calibration without requiring extended thermal equilibrium periods
3Adaptability or versatility
If LED light amount is changed, then measurement flexibility is improved, but spectroscope temperature changes causing precision degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall acts as a thermal mediator that decouples the light source temperature variations from the spectroscope. This allows the LED light amount to be adjusted for measurement flexibility while the spectroscope maintains stable temperature for precision wavelength calibration
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 solution effectively reduces temperature gradients, maintaining precise wavelength calibration and improving measurement accuracy while enhancing economic efficiency by faster thermal stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the spectroscope may be warmed by light leaking out from the light source, radiant light from a region heated by the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The spectroscope includes: a spectroscopic element configured to disperse incident light (reflected light) in accordance with wavelengths; a detector (line sensor) having a plurality of pixels and configured to receive wavelength-specific light components obtained through light dispersion by the spectroscopic element at ones different from each other of the pixels; and a low-emissivity member provided on at least one of a first-direction side and a second-direction side of the spectroscopic element and the detector in a case where a one-direction side of a light dispersion direction of the spectroscopic element is the first-direction side, and an other-direction side of the light dispersion direction is the second-direction side.