Light-Driven Optical Switch for Low-Power Fiber Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical path switching systems face challenges in reducing power consumption and size, particularly in mechanical optical switches that require significant electric power due to motor-driven mechanisms and precise alignment of optical fibers, making them unsuitable for environments with limited power supply.
Innovation Solution
An optical switch system utilizing a light-expansion body that expands and contracts with light irradiation/interruption to generate rotary motion, converting linear motion into rotary motion to switch optical fibers, eliminating the need for a power source and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a motor-driven mechanism is used to move optical fibers for switching, then the switching function is achieved, but the power consumption increases to several hundred mW or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical system with a light-driven system. Specifically, it uses optical expansion bodies (such as black rubber or foam materials) that expand when light is irradiated and contract when light is interrupted, directly driving the optical fiber switching without requiring electrical motors or power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving mechanism from electrical to optical by utilizing the expansion and contraction properties of light-sensitive materials. The optical expansion bodies change their physical state (expanded/contracted) in response to light irradiation, thereby driving the switching mechanism without electrical power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a robot arm system is used to control optical connector insertion and extraction, then the switching function is achieved, but the power consumption increases to several tens W or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the robot arm system with a light-driven mechanical system. Optical expansion bodies directly drive the insertion and extraction of optical connectors through their expansion and contraction movements, eliminating the need for complex robot arms and high-power electrical motors.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of optical fibers is increased while maintaining pitch, then the optical fiber array becomes large, but the distance of linear motion is extended and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic expansion and contraction of optical expansion bodies to adjust the spacing and positioning of optical fibers. This allows multiple optical fibers to be handled within a compact space, reducing the linear motion distance required and thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining the ability to switch a large number of fibers.
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 system operates without a power supply and achieves low power consumption, addressing the size and power efficiency issues of traditional mechanical optical switches, making it suitable for environments with limited power availability.
Implementation Method 1
a light driving rotation unit includes a light-expansion body which expands by irradiating light and contracts by interrupting light
Implementation Method 2
a rotary motion body for correspondingly converting reciprocating linear motion by the constant distance of the knock rod into rotating rotary motion by a constant angle
Implementation Method 3
a connecting rotor for rotating around an axis in synchronization with rotation converted by the rotary motion body, and for switching/connecting one switching object optical fiber fixed to the first optical connector
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical switch that does not require power supply. The present disclosure provides an optical switch which includes: a light driving rotation unit including: a light-expansion body which expands by irradiating light and contracts by interrupting light; a knock rod for converting expansion/contraction of the light-expansion body into reciprocating linear motion by a constant distance; and a rotary motion body for correspondingly converting reciprocating linear motion by the constant distance of the knock rod into rotating rotary motion by a constant angle; and a optical switching rotation unit including: a first optical connector to which one switching object optical fiber is fixed; a second optical connector to which an optical fiber of a switching object optical fiber group is respectively fixed; and a connecting rotor for rotating around an axis in synchronization with rotation converted by the rotary motion body, and for switching/connecting one switching object optical fiber fixed to the first optical connector in contact with one end face and one optical fiber in the switching object optical fiber group fixed to the second optical connector in contact with other end face