Light Coupling Element for Fiber Pitch Conversion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light coupling elements struggle with precise alignment of optical fibers due to misshaped polymer buffers, leading to interference and inefficient coupling with optical components having different pitches.
Innovation Solution
A light coupling element with grooves and light redirecting members that allow for precise alignment and redirection of optical fibers, accommodating varying pitches by using curved surface portions and angled grooves to adjust light direction and exit points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fibers are aligned using conventional methods with fixed pitch, then alignment is simple, but alignment precision deteriorates when polymer buffers are misshaped
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is divided into multiple grooves with different orientations (first grooves extending in first direction, second grooves extending in second direction). This segmentation allows independent alignment optimization for different fiber bundles, improving alignment precision while managing complexity through modular structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular orientation as an additional dimension for groove arrangement. Grooves are oriented at different angles relative to each other, transforming the alignment problem from one-dimensional (linear pitch) to two-dimensional (pitch + orientation), enabling precise alignment despite buffer misshaping
2Productivity
If grooves are arranged with different pitches to match optical components, then coupling efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the pitch parameters of grooves in different directions. First grooves have a first pitch and second grooves have a second pitch, allowing optimization for different optical component interfaces. This parameter variation enables high coupling efficiency while distributing precision requirements across multiple configurable parameters rather than demanding extreme precision in a single dimension
3Reliability
If polymer buffers are used to protect optical fibers, then fiber protection improves, but buffer misshaping causes alignment interference
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element provides different groove characteristics in different locations and directions. First grooves are optimized for one type of fiber alignment while second grooves are optimized for another, allowing the system to accommodate buffers with different misshaping characteristics without compromising overall alignment ease
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
Enhances alignment precision, enabling efficient coupling of optical fibers with different pitches to optical components, reducing interference and improving optical coupling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light redirecting surface... the light redirecting surface changing the direction of the received light to a different redirected direction
Data Source
AI summary
A light coupling element including a plurality of waveguide attachment features and a light redirecting member is described. Each attachment feature has an entrance end opposite a terminal end. The entrance ends are arranged at a pitch Pe. The light redirecting member is disposed closer to the terminal ends, and farther from the entrance ends, and includes an input surface, a reflecting side and an exit surface. When a waveguide is attached at each attachment feature, a central light ray emitted by each waveguide enters the light redirecting member through the input surface, is redirected by the reflecting side and exits the light redirecting member at the exit surface, the central light ray intersecting the exit surface at an exit point, each attachment feature corresponding to a different exit point at the exit surface. The exits points are arranged at a pitch Px not equal to Pe.