Light Guide Attachment Member Design for Infrared Optical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light guides experience light loss due to incident light deviating into attachment portions, leading to reduced efficiency in guiding infrared light to optical receiving units, and existing assembly methods are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A light guide with a smaller connection surface area between attachment members and the main body, integrated with a recessed groove and protrusion system for secure fixation using thermal welding, reducing light deviation and increasing attachment strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connection surface area between attachment member and light guide main body is large, then the attachment strength is high, but the light loss increases as more incident light enters the attachment portion
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area along its length. The connection surface area at the junction with the light guide main body is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the attachment portion, creating a gradient structure. This local quality variation allows the connection surface to minimize light loss while the broader attachment portion maintains sufficient attachment strength.
2Strength
If a separate attachment plate is used to fix the light guide member, then the attachment strength is sufficient, but the assembly operation becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is integrated with the light guide main body to form a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate attachment plates. The attachment member serves dual functions: it provides mechanical attachment capability while also serving as part of the light guide structure, thereby simplifying assembly operations and reducing part count.
3Loss of energy
If the attachment portion cross-sectional area is small, then the light loss is reduced, but the attachment strength becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member utilizes dimensional variation along its length, with the cross-sectional area changing from a smaller value at the connection surface to a larger value at the attachment portion. This dimensional transition allows the structure to optimize for light transmission at the connection interface while maintaining mechanical strength at the attachment interface, effectively resolving the contradiction through spatial variation.
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 effectively minimizes light loss by reducing the connection surface area and enhances attachment strength, improving the efficiency of light guidance to optical receiving units while simplifying and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
when the incident light is totally reflected by the side faces, the front surface, and the back surface within the light guide main body 101
Implementation Method 2
a hole portion that is formed in the other of the attachment portion and the recessed groove, the protrusion being inserted into the hole portion, wherein the protrusion is coupled to the hole portion
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide includes: a light guide main body that guides light input from an incident surface to an exit surface; and an attachment member that is connected to the light guide main body and includes an attachment portion that is to be fixed to another member, and the area of a connection surface between the attachment member and the light guide main body is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the attachment portion.