Flexible Brush Light Shield for Fiber Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber identification devices face interference from spurious ambient light due to openings in the cover, which degrades the measurement of weak optical signals, especially under intense or changing light conditions, and current solutions like offsetting readings are not fully effective.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible elements, such as strip brushes or elastomeric elements, within the cover openings to block ambient light by conforming to the optical fiber and preventing light entry, while allowing the fiber to move freely during bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If openings are provided in the cover to allow fiber entry, then the device can accommodate optical fibers of various sizes, but ambient light enters through the openings and degrades measurement performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate different fiber sizesVSAvoidambient light interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible brush elements (strips of bristles) that can conform to the fiber and seal the opening. These flexible elements block ambient light while adapting to different fiber diameters, resolving the contradiction between accommodating various fiber sizes and preventing light leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If large openings are provided to accommodate the largest fiber, then all fiber sizes can be measured, but a large gap remains around smaller fibers allowing additional ambient light entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to measure fibers of all expected sizesVSAvoidaccuracy of scattered light measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible brush elements conform to the specific fiber diameter present, sealing the gap between the fiber and cover opening. This eliminates ambient light entry paths while maintaining the same opening size, thus improving measurement precision without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The brush elements provide localized light blocking exactly where needed - at the interface between the fiber and cover opening. This local sealing approach addresses the light leakage problem specifically at the opening without requiring changes to the overall opening size or shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If slots are used instead of round openings to allow in-line operation, then the device can operate on the fiber without cutting, but the slots allow movement of the fiber during bending and admit more ambient light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform in-line fiber identificationVSAvoidambient light admission and fiber movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible brush elements can accommodate fiber movement during bending operations while maintaining the seal. The bristles flex as the fiber moves, continuously blocking ambient light from entering the cover opening, thus resolving both the fiber movement and light admission issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Effectively reduces spurious light entry, enhancing the accuracy of optical signal detection in optical fiber identification devices by blocking ambient light without damaging or moving the fiber, even under intense or changing light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

conforming opposing sets of bristles to an outer surface of the optical fiber proximate the at least one opening to block ambient light from illuminating the fiber bend

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

bending an optical fiber to create a fiber bend, the fiber bend scattering a portion of an optical signal out of the fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS8003933B2Method and apparatus for blocking ambient light in a live fiber optic identifying device

Publication Date: 2011.08.23 AT&T CORP

AI summary

Spurious light is prevented from entering a cover of an optical fiber identification device by placing an opaque, flexible medium such as brush bristles within optical fiber clearance openings in the cover to block the light path around the fiber. Short opposing lengths of strip brushes are placing on either side of each of the slot openings in the cap. The opposing bristles make contact with each other in the slot, keeping out most ambient light. The strip brushes exert very little force on the fiber, permitting it to bend freely.