Light Source Apparatus Optical Path Switching for Fiber Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light source apparatuses using optical fibers are prone to mechanical failure, leading to discontinuation of light transmission and requiring repair or replacement, causing inconvenience to users.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus with an optical-path switching section that redirects excitation light from a primary to a secondary light guiding member when the primary is degraded or disconnected, ensuring continuous operation by utilizing a wavelength converting member and light receiving elements to detect and respond to intensity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If optical fiber is used to illuminate interior of object, then illumination capability is improved, but mechanical strength is insufficient causing fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of optical fiber status using a light receiving element before failure occurs. When discontinuation of light guidance is detected, the system proactively switches to a spare optical fiber through an optical path switching section, preventing service interruption rather than reacting after breakage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares backup optical fibers in advance and maintains them in standby state. When the primary optical fiber fails, the pre-prepared spare fiber immediately takes over, cushioning against the harmful effect of fiber breakage and ensuring continuous operation without service interruption.
2Reliability
If optical fiber breaks, then detection capability is improved, but service continuity deteriorates requiring repair or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a light receiving element that continuously monitors the optical fiber status and provides feedback signals. When light guidance discontinuation is detected, the feedback triggers automatic switching to a spare fiber, enabling real-time response and eliminating service downtime that would occur with manual detection and repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-healing by automatically detecting fiber failure and switching to backup fibers without requiring external intervention. The optical path switching section autonomously redirects light paths when failure is detected, enabling the system to service itself and maintain continuous operation without user involvement for repair or replacement.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If spare optical fiber is prepared, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an optical path switching section as an intermediary component that manages the complexity of having multiple optical fibers. This switching section acts as a mediator that automatically routes light through the appropriate fiber based on status detection, shielding the user from the complexity while enabling service continuity through automatic failover to spare 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
Enables continuous illumination even when the primary light guiding member is degraded or disconnected, allowing for seamless switching to the secondary member without interrupting service, thus reducing downtime and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength converting member (33) which is connected to the excitation-light emergence end (27b) of the first light guiding member (27) and the excitation-light emergence end (29b) of the second light guiding member (29), and which receives excitation light and emits a wavelength-converted light of a wavelength different from a wavelength of the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
an optical fiber is used
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes an excitation-light source, a first light guiding member and a second light guiding member which guide excitation light emitted from the excitation-light source, a wavelength converting member which is installed near an emitting end of excitation light from the excitation-light source of the first light guiding member and the second light guiding member, and which receives excitation light which has been guided by one of the first light guiding member and the second light guiding member, and emits a wavelength-converted light of a wavelength different from a wavelength of the excitation light, a first light receiving element which is installed near the wavelength converting member, and which directly or indirectly receives the wavelength-converted light of which, the wavelength is converted by the wavelength converting member, and an optical path switching section which guides the excitation light to one of the first light guiding member and the second light guiding member according to an output of the first light receiving element.