Optical Fiber Cable Connection Detection to Prevent Stray Laser Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connection failures between optical fiber cables and laser heads can occur, leading to unintended laser light emission into external spaces, posing safety risks and requiring effective detection methods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pair of open detection lines and a pair of breaking detection lines within the optical fiber cable, where the first and second open detection lines are connected via a short circuit when properly connected, and the breaking detection lines are configured to detect fiber breaks and temperature, allowing for independent detection of connection failures and fiber breaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If detection lines are placed close to optical fiber for space efficiency, then cable structure is simplified, but false detection may occur due to contact between detection lines
Solution Approach 1:
The open detection lines are extracted from the immediate vicinity of the optical fiber and repositioned to contact the connecting member and optical connector at separated locations. This extraction prevents false contact between detection lines while maintaining their detection function, resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system transitions from a single-dimensional arrangement (detection lines adjacent to fiber) to a multi-dimensional configuration where open detection lines contact different components (connecting member and optical connector) at spatially separated points. This dimensional change eliminates false contact while preserving detection capability.
2Reliability
If breaking detection lines are used to detect fiber breaks, then fiber break detection capability is improved, but temperature monitoring function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The breaking detection lines are designed to serve multiple functions: they detect fiber breaks through circuit interruption and simultaneously function as temperature sensors through resistance-temperature characteristics. This multi-functionality resolves the conflict between fiber break detection capability and temperature monitoring function, allowing a single component to perform both tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The breaking detection and temperature monitoring functions are merged into a single detection system using the same breaking detection lines. The lines provide both break detection (via circuit continuity) and temperature measurement (via resistance changes), combining previously separate functions into one integrated solution.
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
Enables reliable detection of connection failures and fiber breaks, preventing unintended laser light emission and ensuring user safety by stopping laser output when a failure is detected, while also allowing for temperature monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a short circuit is provided in the connecting member such that the first open detection line and the second open detection line are electrically connected to each other. When the optical connector of the optical fiber cable is properly connected to the laser head, the first open detection line and the second open detection line are electrically connected to each other.
Implementation Method 2
The optical fiber cable includes a pair of breaking detection lines including a first breaking detection line and a second breaking detection line, in which a first end of the first breaking detection line and a first end of the second breaking detection line are disposed inside the optical connector and electrically connected to each other inside the optical connector.
Implementation Method 3
an optical fiber cable, through which high-power laser light propagates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The optical fiber cable has an optical fiber through which laser light output from a light source propagates, a cable jacket including an inner tube and an outer tube that covers the inner tube, a pair of open detection lines including a first open detection line and a second open detection line, and an optical connector disposed at a first end of the optical fiber cable. A first end of the first open detection line and a first end of the second open detection line are disposed inside the optical connector, and are electrically connected to each other inside the optical connector, the optical fiber is disposed in either a first region inside the inner tube, or a second region between an outside of the inner tube and an inside of the outer tube, and at least one of the pair of open detection lines is disposed in either the first region or the second region in which the optical fiber is not disposed.