Free-Form Light Guide for Rectangular-to-Round Shape Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber-optic light transmission systems face inefficiencies due to mismatched shapes between light sources and receivers, leading to light loss as square or rectangular light sources do not effectively match the round fiber bundle ends, resulting in suboptimal light utilization and increased system complexity.

Innovation Solution

A light guide with a free-form body that transitions between the shape of the light source and the light receiver, ensuring efficient light transmission by matching the emitting and receiving surfaces, potentially using materials like glass, quartz, or polymers, and incorporating wavelength filtering or color doping for spectral control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a round fiber bundle end is used as the light receiver, then the fiber optic light transmission is efficient, but a square or rectangular light source does not match the round shape resulting in light loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight lossVSAvoidshape mismatch between light source and receiver

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the square/rectangular light source and the round fiber bundle receiver. The light guide has a first end with a square or rectangular shape matching the light source and a second end with a round shape matching the fiber bundle, with a free-form body transitioning between these shapes. This intermediary structure resolves the shape mismatch problem and prevents light loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide changes the geometric parameters of the light transmission path by transitioning from a square/rectangular cross-section at the first end to a circular cross-section at the second end. This parameter transformation allows the light to be efficiently coupled from the rectangular LED source to the circular fiber bundle receiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If additional filters are used to change the output light wavelength, then the desired wavelength range is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput light wavelength controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wavelength filtering function directly into the light guide structure by integrating filters through film deposition or color doping during the light guide manufacturing process. This combines the light guiding and wavelength selection functions into a single component, eliminating the need for separate filter elements and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transforms the light path geometry from rectangular to circular, guides the light from the LED source to the fiber bundle, and filters the wavelength to achieve the desired output spectrum. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If LED devices are closely tied to the fiber optics, then the system structure is compact, but the square shape of LEDs still results in light loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidlight loss from rectangular LED

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide acts as an intermediary that bridges the rectangular LED and the circular fiber bundle. Even though the LED maintains its compact square shape, the light guide transforms the light distribution pattern to match the circular fiber end, preventing light loss while preserving system compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 light guide enhances light delivery efficiency by up to 20% by ensuring that the entirety of the light receiver is utilized, reducing light loss and system complexity through precise shape adaptation and spectral management.

Implementation Method 1

A light guide for interfacing between a light source having a light emitting surface with a first shape and a light receiver with a light receiving surface of a second shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A free form body between the light emitting end and the light receiving end causes a transition between the first and second shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS8616751B2Light guide for coupling differently shaped light source and receiver

Publication Date: 2013.12.31 EXCELITAS CANADA INC

AI summary

A light guide for interfacing between a light source having a light emitting surface with a first shape and a light receiver with a light receiving surface of a second shape. The light guide has a light emitting end having a first shape of substantially the same size as the first shape of the light emitting surface. A light receiving end has a second shape of substantially the same size as the second shape of the light receiving surface. A free form body between the light emitting end and the light receiving end causes a transition between the first and second shape.