Fused Fiber Exit Element for Stable Multi-Fiber Optical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber exit elements for glass fibers are mechanically unstable, prone to signal interference, and require complex alignment, leading to increased installation space and potential damage to glass fibers during high-power optical transmission.
Innovation Solution
A fiber exit element where the open ends of glass fibers are fused into the material of an optical element, such as a lens or prism, with controlled depth of penetration and alignment, to enhance mechanical stability and reduce signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If glass fibers are connected to optical elements using mechanical mounting, then alignment and installation are simplified, but mechanical stability deteriorates and signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the glass fiber connection with the optical element by fusing the fiber ends directly into the optical element material. This integration eliminates separate mechanical mounting components, achieving both high mechanical stability through material fusion and maintained alignment through the fusion process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure where glass fibers are embedded within and fused to the optical element material (such as ceramic or glass). This creates a composite structure that combines the optical properties of both materials while achieving strong mechanical bonding, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing alignment.
2Reliability
If glass fibers are fused into optical element material, then mechanical stability and signal interference resistance improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the glass fiber ends and optical element surfaces before fusion, and by controlling the fusion process parameters in advance. This includes pre-cleaning, pre-positioning, and pre-heating steps that simplify the actual fusion operation and reduce manufacturing complexity despite the advanced manufacturing technique required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the fusion process, such as controlling temperature, heating rate, and holding time, to achieve reliable fusion while managing manufacturing complexity. By optimizing these parameters, the process becomes more controllable and repeatable, reducing the practical difficulty of manufacturing despite the inherent complexity of the fusion technique.
3Reliability
If glass fibers are connected with deep penetration into optical element, then mechanical stability improves, but optical property maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a gradient in the fusion depth - deeper penetration in regions where mechanical strength is needed and shallower penetration where optical properties must be maintained. This spatial variation in fusion characteristics allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical stability and optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by fusing only the necessary portion of the glass fiber into the optical element - not the entire fiber length. This controlled partial fusion provides sufficient mechanical anchoring while preserving the optical properties of the remaining fiber portion that needs to maintain its original characteristics.
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 provides a compact, mechanically stable, and interference-minimized connection for multiple glass fibers, maintaining optical properties and reducing stray light, suitable for high-power applications.
Implementation Method 1
the open ends of the cores (10a) and/or of the claddings (10b) of the glass fibers (10) are arranged within the material of the optical element (14) with a depth of penetration (W), at least the material of the open ends of the cores (10a) and/or of the claddings (10b) being fused to the material of the optical element (14)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fiber exit element (1), comprising: a plurality of glass fibers (10) each having at least one core (10a) which is designed to guide a signal light ray (A); and at least one optical element (14), preferably an optical window (14), an optical lens (14), an optical beam splitter (14) or an optical prism (14), which is connected to each open end (11) of the cores (10a) of the glass fibers (10) and is designed to receive the signal light ray (A) from the open ends (11) of the cores (10a) of the glass fibers (10) and to output said signal light ray to the outside via at least one exit face (14b) as exit rays (A′). The fiber exit element (1) is characterized in that the open ends (11) of the cores (10a) of the glass fibers (10), and preferably also the open ends (11) of claddings (10b) of the glass fibers (10) substantially enclosing the cores (10a), are each arranged within the material of the optical element (14) with a depth of penetration (W), preferably with respect to an incident face (14a) of the optical element (14), at least the material of the open ends (11) of the cores (10a) of the glass fibers (10), preferably also the material of the open ends (11) of the claddings (10b) of the glass fibers (10), being fused to the material of the optical element (14).