Angled Coupling for Optical Fibers via Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fibers, especially multimode fibers, are prone to signal degradation and physical strain when bent to small radii, making it challenging to route them through complex and restricted spaces in computing and communication systems without compromising data transmission quality.
Innovation Solution
An angled coupling system using hollow metal waveguides with a reflective surface allows optical fibers to change direction through sharp angles without exceeding the minimum bend radius, utilizing a collimating lens to minimize signal loss and employing secure ferrule structures for alignment, enabling efficient data transmission through compact and modular setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical fibers are bent to route through restricted spaces, then routing flexibility is improved, but signal degradation and physical strain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an angled coupling device as an intermediary component that facilitates sharp directional changes in optical fiber routing without requiring the fiber itself to bend. The coupling acts as a mediator between straight fiber segments, enabling routing flexibility while preserving signal quality by keeping the fiber in a low-stress state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical bending of optical fibers with an optical reflection mechanism. Instead of physically curving the fiber to change direction, the system uses a reflective surface within the angled coupling to redirect the optical signal, thereby eliminating mechanical strain on the fiber while achieving the desired routing flexibility.
2Volume of moving object
If optical fibers are bent to sharp angles, then space utilization is improved, but mode stripping and signal loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical bending approach with an optical reflection approach. The angled coupling contains a reflective surface that redirects the optical signal at sharp angles without requiring the fiber to physically bend, thereby achieving compact space utilization while preventing mode stripping and signal loss associated with sharp bends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by transitioning from a mechanical deformation mode (bending the fiber) to an optical redirection mode (reflecting the signal). This parameter change allows the system to achieve sharp directional changes in a compact volume while maintaining signal integrity, as the fiber remains in its optimal transmission state without bending-induced losses.
3Strength
If minimum bend radius is enforced, then fiber integrity is improved, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angled coupling serves as an intermediary device that resolves the conflict between fiber integrity and routing simplicity. By providing a pre-fabricated component with built-in angular redirection capability, it eliminates the need for complex bent routing paths while maintaining fiber integrity, thereby reducing overall routing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the routing function into discrete components: straight fiber segments connected by angled coupling devices. This segmentation allows each fiber segment to maintain its integrity by remaining straight, while the coupling devices handle the directional changes, thereby simplifying the overall routing architecture compared to continuous bent paths.
4Productivity
If multimode fiber is used for high-speed data transfer, then data transmission capability is improved, but susceptibility to bending effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical bending required for sharp turns with an optical reflection system. This allows multimode fiber to maintain its high data transmission capability while being protected from bending-induced mode stripping, as the fiber itself does not undergo mechanical deformation in the angled coupling configuration.
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 angled coupling system enables reliable data transmission through abrupt turns and sharp angles, reducing signal attenuation and physical strain, while maintaining fiber stability and modularity, thus enhancing connectivity in space-constrained environments like computer chassis.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective surface configured to reflect the optical signal from the first optical pathway to the second optical pathway
Implementation Method 2
An angled coupling system using hollow metal waveguides with a reflective surface allows optical fibers to change direction
Data Source
AI summary
An angled coupling for optical fibers can comprise a body (10) having an incoming aperture (18a) and an outgoing aperture (18b), from which an incoming hollow waveguide (12a) and an outgoing hollow waveguide (12b) extend into the body at an angle (22). A reflective surface (24) is situated at the vertex of the angle and is oriented substantially perpendicular to a bisector of the angle. The coupling also comprises an incoming coupling structure (32a) and an outgoing coupling structure (32b), each configured to attach an optical fiber to the corresponding aperture.