Turbidimeter Vial Cap Light Trap Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nephelometric turbidimeters face challenges in accurately measuring turbidity due to high-intensity secondary light signals caused by reflection of measurement light at the vial lid, which can obscure the primary light signal from scattered particles, especially when measuring turbid fluids like drinking water.
Innovation Solution
A nephelometric turbidimeter vial arrangement featuring a separate vial cap with a light trap cavity having a black-colored, absorbing surface and a lateral side wall to minimize secondary light signals, combined with an RFID chip for data transfer, and a grip recess for user-friendly handling, ensuring reduced secondary light interference and accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple vial lid is used to close the vial top opening, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but secondary light signals from reflection at the vial lid cause measurement precision to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful reflective surface is extracted and isolated into a separate light trap cavity structure. The light trap cavity captures and absorbs the light that would otherwise reflect off the vial lid, separating the reflective function from the measurement path and eliminating the secondary signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
A light trap cavity with light-absorbing surfaces acts as an intermediary element between the measurement light source and the vial lid. This intermediary structure intercepts and absorbs stray light before it can reflect off the vial lid and create secondary signals, thereby protecting the measurement accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the measurement light beam intensity is reduced to minimize reflection at the vial lid, then secondary light signal interference is reduced, but the primary light signal intensity also decreases making detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light trap cavity extracts and removes the harmful reflected light component from the optical path. By capturing the light that would reflect off the vial lid in a separate cavity structure with absorbing surfaces, the system can maintain high primary light signal intensity without the interference of secondary reflected signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The light trap cavity converts the potentially harmful reflected light into a beneficial absorbed signal. The light that would otherwise create interference is instead captured and absorbed by the black-colored surfaces in the light trap cavity, transforming the harmful reflection into a useful light absorption mechanism that protects the measurement.
3Measurement precision
If a light trap cavity with black-colored absorbing surface is added to the vial cap, then secondary light signal interference is significantly reduced and measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light trap cavity applies local quality changes by creating a specific zone with light-absorbing properties. Only the inner surfaces of the light trap cavity are coated with black-colored absorbing material, while the rest of the vial cap maintains its original structure. This localized application minimizes manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired optical effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The light trap cavity structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the vial cap, provides optical light trapping, and includes the RFID chip housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the added optical functionality.
4Reliability
If the vial cap is designed with a light trap cavity and RFID chip housing, then data transfer capability and measurement accuracy are improved, but the vial cap structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light trap cavity and RFID chip housing are merged into a single integrated structure. The RFID chip is housed within the light trap cavity, combining the optical light-trapping function with the data storage and communication function in one component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining both functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The vial cap structure achieves multi-functionality by integrating the light trap cavity for optical interference reduction, the RFID chip housing for data identification and tracking, and the sealing function for sample protection. This multi-functional design allows a single component to perform multiple critical functions, reducing overall system complexity.
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 significantly reduces secondary light signals, enhancing the accuracy of turbidity measurements and improving user handling and data transfer efficiency, while maintaining the integrity of the fluid sample.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface of the light trap cavity is provided as a light absorbing surface, and is preferably black-colored. The light beam coming from the measurement light source impinges at the interior top structure of the light trap cavity and is thereby significantly absorbed by the light absorbing surface.
Implementation Method 2
The light fraction which is reflected by the top structure of the light trap cavity impinges at least partially at the lateral interior cavity side wall where the remaining light energy is significantly absorbed so that only a small fraction of the intensity of the measurement light beam entering the light trap cavity is finally leaving the light trap cavity.
Implementation Method 3
The vial cap is provided with an axial neck portion extending into the vial interior and defining at least a part of the light trap cavity. The vial cap is provided with a lateral grip recess. The plane longitudinal chip cavity is arranged in a substantially axial plane so that the vial cap's RFID chip including the RFID antenna is arranged in a substantially axial plane.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention is directed to a nephelometric turbidimeter vial arrangement including a vial and a separate vial cap, wherein the vial comprises a transparent cylindrical vial body enclosing a vial interior, a bottom inlet window and a circular top vial opening, wherein the vial cap closes the top vial opening and comprises a light trap cavity (70) which is open to the vial interior, wherein the inner surface (81,82) of the light trap cavity (70) is a light absorbing surface, and wherein the vial cap (60) is provided with a chip cavity (72), wherein an RFID chip (90) is provided in said chip cavity.