Optical Fiber Inspection Tip for Angled End Faces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber inspection devices struggle to capture images of angled end faces of optical fibers without damaging the connectors or contaminating the fiber ends, due to the need to remove connectors and bulkhead adapters for proper illumination and imaging.
Innovation Solution
A tip for an optical fiber inspection device featuring a body portion with a chamber and an optical element on its surface, configured to redirect illumination light to an angled end face of an optical fiber and allow reflected light to return to the device, enabling coaxial illumination and imaging without disassembling connectors or bulkhead adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If connectors and bulkhead adapters are removed for proper illumination and imaging of angled end faces, then imaging quality is improved, but the risk of damage and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
A tip assembly acts as an intermediary component between the inspection device and the optical fiber connector. The tip includes a distal end with a first opening facing the angled end face, a chamber extending from the first opening to a proximal end, and an optical element positioned within the chamber. This intermediary structure enables proper illumination and imaging of angled end faces while the connector remains attached, eliminating the need to remove connectors and thereby reducing damage and contamination risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If connectors remain attached during inspection, then damage and contamination risk is reduced, but proper illumination and imaging of angled end faces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the inspection device, the removable tip assembly, and the connector. The tip assembly is further segmented with separate functional zones including a distal end for light delivery, a chamber for housing the optical element, and a proximal end for connection to the inspection device. This segmentation allows the tip to be designed specifically for interfacing with angled end faces while connectors remain attached, enabling both protection and proper imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the angular illumination challenge by introducing a three-dimensional chamber structure within the tip assembly. The chamber extends from the distal end to the proximal end, providing spatial accommodation for the optical element to redirect light at the appropriate angle matching the angled end face orientation. This dimensional approach allows proper illumination geometry to be achieved without requiring connector removal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex tip design with chamber and optical element is implemented, then imaging of angled end faces is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tip assembly serves multiple functions within a single integrated component: it provides a mounting structure for the optical element, houses the light redirecting chamber, defines the illumination geometry, and interfaces with both the inspection device and the optical fiber connector. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and complex mechanisms, achieving the capability to image angled end faces while maintaining reasonable device 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 allows for effective imaging of angled end faces of optical fibers without damaging the connectors or re-contaminating the fiber ends, reducing the risk of damage and contamination, and conserving computing resources by ensuring proper illumination and imaging.
Implementation Method 1
the optical element is configured to redirect the illumination light to allow the illumination light to propagate to, and exit through, the second opening of the second end of the body portion and thereby propagate to an angled end face of an optical fiber, and the body portion is configured to allow reflection light, reflected by the angled end face of the optical fiber, to enter through the second opening of the second end of the body portion
Data Source
AI summary
A tip for an optical fiber inspection device includes a body portion that includes a first opening, a second opening, and a chamber that extends within the body portion from the first opening to the second opening. The body portion is configured to allow illumination light to enter through the first opening and to propagate to, and impinge on, a portion of a surface of the chamber. The portion of the surface of the chamber is configured to redirect the illumination light to allow the illumination light to propagate to, and exit through, the second opening and thereby propagate to an angled end face of an optical fiber. The body portion is configured to allow reflection light, reflected by the angled end face of the optical fiber, to enter through the second opening and to propagate through, and exit from, the chamber.