Optical Fiber Bundle Winding Guide for Uniform Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for manufacturing optical fiber bundles are limited in their ability to uniformly distribute optical fiber wires between branching points, leading to inefficient light guidance in applications like endoscopes, where multiple light sources are required to illuminate an object.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber bundle manufacturing apparatus that includes a rotating winding member and a guide member, controlled by a processor, to distribute optical fiber wires across multiple winding positions, forming branching, converging, and connecting portions, ensuring a uniform distribution of optical fibers between branching points, allowing for efficient light guidance from multiple light sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional winding methods are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the optical fiber wires are not uniformly distributed between branching points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform distribution of optical fiber wiresVSAvoidwinding control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is made movable along the winding member's rotation, allowing dynamic adjustment of the winding position. This dynamic guidance enables precise control over the distribution of optical fiber wires across multiple branching points, transforming a static winding process into a controllable dynamic one that achieves uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The processor controls the guide member's position based on feedback from the winding process, adjusting the guidance in real-time to ensure uniform distribution of optical fiber wires. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for variations and maintain precise control over wire placement across all branching points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are used for illumination, then the illumination capability is enhanced, but the complexity of light guidance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination capabilityVSAvoidlight guidance structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber bundle is segmented into multiple independent branches, with each branch capable of guiding light from specific light sources to specific illumination units. This segmentation allows multiple light sources to be independently controlled and directed to different areas, enhancing illumination capability while maintaining manageable guidance complexity through modular branch structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11712158B2Optical fiber bundle manufacturing apparatus, light guide, endoscope having light guide, and method of manufacturing optical fiber bundle

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An optical fiber bundle manufacturing apparatus includes: a winding member; a guide member movable in a direction parallel to a rotary axis, the guide member being configured to guide an optical fiber wire to any one of first winding positions, a converging winding position and second winding positions; and a processor configured to perform processing to move the guide member such that a first branching portion branching into p branches, a converging portion converging the first branching portion branching into p branches into one, a second branching portion branching into q branches, and a connecting portion connecting the first branching portion and the second branching portion are formed in this order by the optical fiber wire.