Light Source Module Optical Branching Unit Feedback Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light source modules cannot detect failures such as optical fiber breakage or malfunction of wavelength conversion members, which can lead to unsafe conditions and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A light source module with a primary optical unit, a light conversion unit, a photodetector unit, and an optical branching unit that guides primary light to the light conversion unit and secondary light back to the photodetector unit through optical fibers, allowing for failure detection and diagnosis using a failure diagnostic circuit and spectrum detector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple optical fibers and wavelength conversion members are used to maintain lighting during failures, then reliability is improved, but the ability to detect failures is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting continuityVSAvoidfailure detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism by routing a portion of the primary light back through the optical branching unit to the photodetector unit. This feedback loop allows continuous monitoring of the optical path and components, enabling failure detection while maintaining the redundant lighting structure. The photodetector receives feedback signals that indicate the operational status of optical fibers and wavelength conversion members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The optical branching unit serves as an intermediary component that performs dual functions: directing light to multiple wavelength conversion members for reliable lighting, and simultaneously routing feedback light to the photodetector for failure detection. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling both lighting continuity and failure monitoring through a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a photodetector unit is added to detect failures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection precisionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical branching unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a light distribution component for maintaining lighting continuity and as a feedback routing component for failure detection. By making the branching unit universal, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the feedback routing function with the existing optical branching unit structure. Instead of adding a separate feedback path or detection system, the branching unit is configured to handle both forward light transmission and backward feedback transmission. This merging approach integrates failure detection capabilities into the existing system architecture, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If optical feedback path is established through optical branching unit, then failure detection is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidoptical path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the feedback path by inverting the light direction through the optical branching unit. Instead of adding a separate feedback component, the system uses the branching unit in reverse - routing light from the wavelength conversion members back through the branching unit to the photodetector. This inversion approach enables failure detection while utilizing existing structural components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 the detection of failures without completely stopping the light source, maintaining output and ensuring user safety by controlling the primary light source drive based on diagnostic results, while estimating the cause of failures.

Implementation Method 1

optical fibers which guide light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

converts the primary light into secondary light of a desired wavelength by the wavelength conversion member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

photodetector unit which detects light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9445477B2Light source module and light source system

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A primary optical unit and a photodetector unit are arranged on a side of a optical branching unit, on which primary terminals are arranged, and a lightconversion unit, which receives primary light, converts the primary light into secondary light, and emits the secondary light, is arranged on a side of the optical branching unit, on which secondary terminals are arranged, to enable guiding of the primary light from the primary optical unit to the lightconversion unit and guiding of the secondary light from the lightconversion unit to the photodetector unit through optical fibers.