Fiber Optic Dust Cap with Light Pipe for VFL Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fiber optic applications, identifying specific connectors in densely packed systems is challenging due to the need to remove dust caps to allow visual fault locator light to be visible, which is tedious and risky, and can introduce contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A dust cap design with a light pipe and air gap that allows visible light from a visual fault locator to be diffused and displayed externally without removing the cap, providing a bright and safe indication of the fiber optic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dust caps are made opaque to protect connectors, then protection from contamination is improved, but visibility of VFL light for fiber identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap is segmented into opaque and translucent portions. The opaque portions protect the connector while the translucent portions allow VFL light to pass through for fiber identification. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both protection and visibility functions to coexist in different regions of the same component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the dust cap have different optical properties - some areas are opaque for protection while specific indicator areas are translucent for light transmission. This local differentiation of material properties allows the dust cap to simultaneously provide contamination protection and enable fiber identification through VFL light visibility.
2Loss of information
If dust caps are removed to identify fibers, then visibility of VFL light is improved, but risk of eye damage and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap incorporates a translucent indicator portion that allows VFL light to pass through while the cap remains in place. This eliminates the need to remove the dust cap for fiber identification, thereby maintaining protection against contamination and preventing direct viewing of high-power laser light that could cause eye damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent indicator portion acts as an intermediary that allows light to pass through in a controlled manner. It enables fiber identification by transmitting VFL light while simultaneously filtering the light to prevent direct viewing of high-power laser beams, thus protecting against eye damage and contamination.
3Loss of information
If dust caps are made translucent to show VFL light, then fiber identification is improved, but light visibility in bright environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent indicator portion incorporates a fluorescent material that absorbs the infrared or visible light from the VFL and re-emits it at a different wavelength or intensity. This color/ wavelength transformation allows the indicator to glow brightly in response to VFL illumination, making it visible even in brightly lit environments where direct light transmission would be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator material changes its optical parameters when exposed to VFL light - it absorbs light at one wavelength and emits light at another wavelength with higher intensity. This parameter change enables the indicator to produce a bright, visible signal that stands out against bright ambient lighting conditions.
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 safe and effective identification of specific optical fibers without removing dust caps, reducing the risk of eye damage and contamination, and is manufacturable with lower tolerance requirements, making it suitable for densely packed fiber optic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe and air gap that allows visible light from a visual fault locator to be diffused and displayed externally
Implementation Method 2
allows visible light from a visual fault locator to be diffused and displayed externally without removing the cap
Data Source
AI summary
A dust cap adapted to fit over a fiber optic adapter. The dust cap includes a dust cap body having a light-entering end and an opposite indicating end. The dust cap body is shaped such that the light-entering end has an interference fit with the fiber optic adapter. A first gap-creating projection extends from the light-entering end, and a second gap-creating projection extends from the light-entering end. The dust cap also includes a light pipe running along a longitudinal axis of the dust cap body from just beyond the light-entering end to just beyond the indicating end.