Laser Light Projecting Apparatus Fiber Breakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light projecting apparatuses using laser light sources face safety concerns due to the risk of laser beam exposure from broken optical fibers, particularly when the light source and projecting position are separated, as in railroad crossing lights or street lamps, where a large number of optical fibers increase the likelihood of breakage and injury.
Innovation Solution
A light projecting apparatus with a reduced number of optical fibers, utilizing a beam combiner and a fiber-breakage countermeasure mechanism that includes a photodetector to detect fiber breakage and immediately stop laser emission, ensuring safety by reducing the number of optical fibers and preventing laser beam exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of optical fibers are used to connect the light source and projecting position, then the light transmission reliability is improved, but the safety risk increases due to higher probability of fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using a photodetector to monitor light transmission through the optical fiber. When fiber breakage is detected (loss of light signal), the system automatically shuts down the laser light source, preventing laser beam exposure. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling safe operation even with reduced fiber numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam combiner as an intermediary device that consolidates multiple laser beams into a single optical fiber transmission path. This intermediary structure allows the system to maintain reliable light transmission while using fewer optical fibers, thereby reducing breakage risk and improving safety.
2Ease of repair
If the light source and projecting position are separated, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the optical fiber breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photodetector-based feedback system continuously monitors optical fiber integrity and automatically responds to breakage by shutting down the laser source. This enables the light source to be positioned away from the projecting position for easier maintenance while maintaining safety through real-time monitoring and automatic protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single optical fiber is used, then the safety risk is reduced, but the light transmission stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beam combiner acts as an intermediary that consolidates multiple laser beams into a single optical fiber transmission path. This allows the system to use a single fiber (minimizing breakage risk) while maintaining stable light transmission through the combined beam output, resolving the contradiction between fiber number and transmission stability.
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 significantly simplifies management of optical fiber breakage and reduces the risk of laser beam exposure, allowing for safe maintenance and operation of light projecting systems by detecting and counteracting fiber breakages, thus preventing accidental exposure to laser beams.
Implementation Method 1
The light source unit and light projecting unit are connected to each other by an optical fiber that transmits light emitted from the beam combiner
Implementation Method 2
the fiber-breakage countermeasure mechanism includes a photodetector that detects light emitted from the optical fiber to the light projecting unit
Implementation Method 3
the laser light sources each emit a light beam having a wavelength included in a near-infrared wavelength range from 780 nm to 1560 nm
Data Source
AI summary
In a light projecting apparatus including a laser light source, a light projecting apparatus is divided into a laser-light-source module and a light-projecting optical module. In the laser-light-source module NOR laser beams from a plurality of laser light sources are combined by a beam combiner. The laser-light-source module and the light-projecting optical module are connected to each other by an optical fiber in a cable. A laser beam formed by the beam combiner is transmitted through the optical fiber to the light-projecting optical module, received by a fiber receptacle, and projected. In the laser-light-source module NOR a fiber-breakage countermeasure section that detects breakage of the optical fiber and takes countermeasures against the breakage is disposed.