Microstructured Fiber Oscillator With Mass-Reduced Waveguide Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning devices trade off scanning range for frequency, limiting the ability to achieve both large operating frequency and large range, which is crucial for high resolution and refresh rate in applications like scanning optical projectors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of mass reduction elements, such as air or evacuated regions, within the mechanical region of optical fibers to modify the second moment of area and reduce mass per unit length, enhancing mechanical properties and allowing for increased field-of-view while maintaining a small form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical fiber oscillators are used, then the device structure is simple, but the field-of-view is limited due to the trade-off between scanning frequency and scanning range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating mass reduction regions at specific locations within the mechanical region of the optical fiber. These regions are positioned at a radial distance from the waveguiding element, creating localized variations in mass distribution. This allows the fiber to achieve enhanced oscillation characteristics (larger field-of-view) without requiring complete structural redesign, thus improving performance while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the optical fiber by modifying the mass distribution through mass reduction regions. By adjusting the size, shape, and position of these regions, the second moment of area and resonant frequency are optimized to achieve larger oscillation amplitudes. This parameter modification enables enhanced field-of-view while maintaining the fundamental fiber structure.
2Length of moving object
If the oscillation range is increased to provide a wider field of view, then the field-of-view improves, but the scanning frequency decreases due to the trade-off relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mass distribution parameters within the mechanical region to optimize the balance between oscillation range and frequency. By creating mass reduction regions at specific radial distances, the second moment of area is adjusted to enable larger oscillation amplitudes while the resonant frequency is maintained at desirable levels, breaking the conventional trade-off relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical region is segmented into areas with and without mass reduction regions. This segmentation allows different parts of the fiber to have different mass characteristics, enabling the oscillation range to be increased in specific directions while maintaining the frequency response needed for high-speed scanning applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mass reduction elements are incorporated to increase oscillation range, then the field-of-view increases, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly complicating the entire fiber structure, the patent introduces mass reduction regions only in specific locations within the mechanical region. This localized modification achieves the desired oscillation characteristics while minimizing the overall structural complexity and maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 enables scanning fiber displays to achieve a wider field-of-view and increased pointing angle without compromising frequency, benefiting applications like augmented reality devices by improving consumer acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of second moment of area adjustment regions positioned within the mechanical region, such as a plurality of second moment of area adjustment regions that serve to modify the overall second moment of area of the mechanical region
Implementation Method 2
a resonant oscillatory frequency of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is oscillating about a resonant frequency
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
Described are optical fibers and scanning fiber displays comprising optical fibers. The disclosed optical fibers include a plurality of mass adjustment regions, such as gas-filled regions, positioned between a central waveguiding element and an outer periphery for reducing a mass of the optical fiber as compared to an optical fiber lacking the plurality of mass adjustment regions.