Bent Optical Fiber Light Routing for Compact Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices with small or thin form factors and limited space face challenges in integrating illumination projectors effectively, as existing solutions often require positioning light emitters in a way that intersects with opaque structures, limiting the ability to emit light in desired directions.

Innovation Solution

The use of optical fibers with bent proximal and distal ends allows light emitters to be positioned conveniently, redirecting the light to desired directions and altering the light footprint, while lenses can be used to direct light into optical fibers, improving light propagation efficiency and geometric integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If light emitters are positioned to intersect with opaque structures in small form factor devices, then the device can achieve compact integration, but the ability to emit light in desired directions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice form factorVSAvoidlight emission direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediary elements between the light emitters and the external environment. The proximal ends of the optical fibers are positioned to receive light from the light emitters, while the distal ends emit light in desired directions. This intermediary allows the light emitters to be positioned conveniently within the compact device form factor while maintaining control over light emission directions through the flexible positioning of optical fiber distal ends.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the spatial flexibility provided by bent optical fibers to transition from two-dimensional positioning constraints to three-dimensional light emission control. The optical fibers can be bent and positioned in various spatial configurations, allowing distal ends to be directed toward different locations and orientations while the proximal ends remain positioned to receive light from the light emitters within the compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If optical fibers are used to redirect light from conveniently positioned emitters, then light can be emitted in desired directions, but light propagation efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emission direction controlVSAvoidlight propagation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical alignment of light emitters with optical fiber coupling. Instead of requiring precise mechanical positioning of light emitters to achieve desired emission directions, the system uses optical fibers to transmit light from conveniently positioned emitters to target locations. This substitution maintains light propagation efficiency by using the optical fiber's inherent light-guiding properties rather than relying on complex mechanical alignment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If lenses are added to direct light into optical fibers, then light propagation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight propagation efficiencyVSAvoidoptical component arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light directing function with the optical fiber coupling process. Lenses are positioned to directly focus light from the light emitters into the proximal ends of the optical fibers, combining the focusing and coupling functions into a single integrated optical path. This merging approach improves light propagation efficiency by ensuring maximum light coupling into the fibers while minimizing the number of separate optical components and their associated alignment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enables efficient illumination in desired directions, even in devices with limited space, by redirecting light and altering its footprint, thus overcoming the geometric constraints of small form factor devices.

Implementation Method 1

The proximal end may be positioned to receive light, through a respective lens in the set of lenses, from the light emitters of a respective axisymmetric light emitter group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight propagation through optical fibers: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

lenses can be used to direct light into optical fibers, improving light propagation efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction and redirection through lenses: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS20230034270A1Optical Fiber Illumination by a Set of Light Emitters

Publication Date: 2023.02.02 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a substrate, a set of light emitters on the substrate and arranged in a plurality of axisymmetric light emitter groups, a set of lenses including a different lens disposed over each axisymmetric light emitter group of the plurality of axisymmetric light emitter groups, and a set of optical fibers. At least one optical fiber in the set of optical fibers has a proximal end, a distal end, and a bend between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end is positioned to receive light, through a respective lens in the set of lenses, from the light emitters of a respective axisymmetric light emitter group in the plurality of axisymmetric light emitter groups.