Fiber Optic Fabric Connector for Light Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light therapy devices require skilled medical technicians for connecting light sources to optical fiber fabrics, and there is a need for improved connectors that allow for easier and more user-friendly integration of light sources into fabric products without compromising light intensity or safety.
Innovation Solution
A compact and user-friendly connector system using a plastic sleeve and ferrule to bundle fiber optic rods, allowing for secure attachment to a light source holder with an adhesive and heat-shrinkable tube, enabling easy connection and disconnection without specialized tools, and a light therapy apparatus that diffuses high-intensity laser light to a safe Class I level for non-technical use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a connector interface is designed for secure light transmission, then light intensity is maintained, but the device becomes complex and requires skilled technicians for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a ferrule that fits over the optical fiber bundle end, and a holder that receives the ferrule. This segmentation allows for simpler assembly where components are inserted in sequence rather than requiring complex alignment procedures, maintaining light transmission while reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule acts as an intermediary component between the optical fiber bundle and the holder. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process, allowing the bundle to be securely mounted without requiring skilled technicians to perform complex alignment operations while preserving optical coupling efficiency
2Ease of operation
If a connector allows easy assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but connection stability and light transmission reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule is designed to fit nested within the holder, with the ferrule inserting into a recess in the holder. This nested structure provides secure mechanical retention through friction and geometric interlocking, ensuring connection stability while allowing simple push-in assembly and pull-out disassembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex locking mechanisms to secure the connection, the design uses the inverse approach: the ferrule's outer diameter is slightly larger than the holder's inner diameter, creating a friction-fit that secures the connection through simple insertion. The stability comes from the inverted design principle of using interference fit rather than additional fastening elements
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
Facilitates the use of light therapy devices by non-experts, ensuring safe and effective light delivery to patients with user-friendly assembly and disassembly of optical fiber fabrics, while maintaining high light intensity and safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive can be carried internally within a heat shrinkable tube to fix the heat shrinkable tube to the bundle end of fiber optic rods
Implementation Method 2
The plastic sleeve is adhesively fixed to the bundled end of the fiber optic rods
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminatable apparatus includes a fabric sheet containing fiber optic rods interwoven with fabric threads. The ends of the fiber optic rods are bundled together to form a ferrule which is removably insertable into a holder carrying a light source and a power source. An outer ferrule can be fixed over the sleeve-like ferrule or robust applications. The holder may be removably attached to articles of clothing. The illuminatable fabric sheet can be used as an optical bandage, in a medical cast, in a negative pressure device, or in a bed pad/sheet, or in a therapeutic brace support.