Optical Connector Retaining Unit Light Guide Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector systems face difficulties in visually recognizing identification light due to its weak emission, making fiber identification challenging and time-consuming, especially when dealing with a large number of optical connectors.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector retaining unit with a reflecting or scattering section that reflects or scatters visible light at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less, enhancing light visibility and facilitating easy fiber identification by securing more outgoing light from the optical connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If optical connectors are mounted in large numbers on retaining boards, then the quantity of optical connectors increases, but the visibility of identification light decreases and fiber identification becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical connector and the external environment. This light guide member captures the identification light emitted from the optical connector and guides it to a visible position, making the weak identification light detectable even when numerous optical connectors are mounted on the retaining board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct visual observation of identification light with an optical guidance system. Instead of relying on the natural emission of identification light from optical connectors, a light guide member is used to actively transport and amplify the visibility of the light signal, substituting passive observation with an active optical guidance mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If optical connectors are extracted one by one for identification, then fiber identification can be performed, but the operation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is pre-installed on the retaining board in positions corresponding to each optical connector slot. This preliminary preparation allows identification light to be captured and guided immediately when optical connectors are mounted, eliminating the need for time-consuming extraction and manual inspection of each connector during the identification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member serves as a mediator that enables remote observation of identification light. By capturing and guiding the light from each optical connector position to a accessible viewing area, it allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple connectors without physical extraction, dramatically reducing identification time while maintaining accuracy.
3Loss of information
If identification light is emitted directly from optical connectors, then fiber identification is possible, but the light intensity is too weak for reliable visual recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member acts as an optical intermediary that collects the weak identification light emitted from the optical connector and channels it along a guided path. This process concentrates and directs the light energy to a viewing position, enhancing the visible intensity without altering the identification information carried by the light.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member extends the observation path from the optical connector location to a separate viewing area, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the identification process. This allows the identification light to be observed from a position where it can be properly illuminated and viewed, transforming a localized weak signal into a remotely observable enhanced signal.
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 significantly improves the visibility of identification light, allowing for reliable and efficient fiber identification by securing a larger amount of outgoing light, reducing the time and effort required for the process.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting section capable of reflecting visible light, which is emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber after led into a proximal end of the optical fiber opposite to the distal end
Implementation Method 2
a scattering section configured to scatter visible light emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber such that scattered light includes light within an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the optical axis of the emitted visible light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector retaining unit includes: an optical connector retaining member that retains an optical connector of a distal end of an optical fiber in a connection standby state being optically connected to nothing; and a reflecting section that reflects visible light emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber after led into a proximal end of the optical fiber opposite to the distal end thereof provided with the optical connector, at an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to an optical axis of the emitted visible light, or a scattering section that scatters visible light emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber such that scattered light includes light within the inclination angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the optical axis of the emitted visible light.