Optical Component Cap Engagement Mechanism for Wavelength Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical components attached to optical fibers face issues such as the spherical lens slipping out and light reflection, leading to low light retrieval efficiency, and inability to emit light of different wavelengths, which limits color variation and output.

Innovation Solution

An optical component with a light conversion member made of phosphor-infused glass, housed in a cap with an engagement mechanism that prevents slipping and enhances heat dissipation, allowing for efficient wavelength conversion and high output light emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spherical lens is used in the optical component, then light can be transmitted through the optical fiber, but the spherical lens may slip out and light exit may be reflected instead of entering, lowering light retrieval efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidspherical lens position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical lens is nested within a cap structure that provides an engagement part with a opening smaller than the maximum diameter of the lens. This nested configuration prevents the lens from slipping out while allowing light to enter and exit properly, resolving both the stability and reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap acts as an intermediary component between the spherical lens and the optical fiber holding member. It provides mechanical support and positioning for the lens, preventing slippage while maintaining proper optical alignment, thus improving both stability and light retrieval efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a spherical lens without phosphors is used, then the structure is simple, but light having a wavelength different from that of light exit from the optical fiber cannot be retrieved, whereby a desired color cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength conversion capabilityVSAvoidoptical component structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the spherical lens with phosphor materials to create a light conversion member. This combination allows the component to both focus light and convert wavelengths, providing adaptability for different colors while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light conversion member is formed as a composite structure combining the spherical lens material with phosphor particles. This composite material enables wavelength conversion functionality while maintaining the optical focusing properties of the spherical lens, achieving versatility without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the opening of the engagement part is made larger to facilitate assembly, then the light conversion member can be easily inserted, but the light conversion member may slip out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidlight conversion member retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement part of the cap has non-uniform opening dimensions: the maximum opening diameter is larger than the light conversion member diameter to facilitate easy insertion, while the minimum opening diameter is smaller than the member diameter to prevent slippage. This local variation in opening quality resolves both assembly ease and retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 optical component effectively converts light from the optical fiber to a different wavelength, providing high output and easy attachment, with improved heat resistance and color tunability, enhancing light retrieval efficiency and mechanical strength.

Implementation Method 1

a light conversion member (40), wherein the light conversion member inserted into the inner hole of the cap is fixed in the inner hole with the optical fiber holding member pressed against the engagement part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 2

The phosphors mixed in the glass are preferably evenly dispersed. The phosphors absorb the light exit from the optical fiber, perform wavelength conversion, and emit a predetermined light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the cap (30) includes an inner hole for allowing the optical fiber holding member (20) and the light conversion member (40) to be inserted thereinto, and an engagement part (31) with a opening (32) for engaging the optical fiber holding member (20) and the light conversion member (40) at one end of the inner hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 4

an optical fiber holding member (20) for holding an optical fiber (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP1903361B1Optical component and light emitting device using the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO LTD
  • EP1903361B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2
  • EP1903361B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP1903361B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

There is provided a light emitting device using an optical component capable of emitting light having a wavelength different from that of light exit from an optical fiber (10) and obtaining light of high output, and capable of being easily attached to an end of the optical fiber. The optical component includes an optical fiber holding member (20) for holding an optical fiber (10), a light conversion member (40), and a cap (30) having an inner hole allowing the light conversion member (40) and the optical fiber holding member (20) to be inserted into and an engagement part (31) with an opening (32) for engaging inserted members at one end of the inner hole. The light conversion member (40) inserted into the inner hole of the cap (30) is fitted into the inner hole with the optical fiber holding member (20) pressed against the engagement part. The opening of the engagement part is smaller than a maximum diameter of the light conversion member (40).