Optical Coupling Device With Diagonal Fiber Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical coupling devices face challenges in reducing connection loss and return loss between optical fibers and self-forming optical waveguides, due to mismatched angles of light incidence/emission, and difficulties in arranging single-mode optical fibers correctly.

Innovation Solution

The optical coupling device features multiple optical fibers with diagonally formed end portions at specific inclination angles, parallel optical axis directions, and self-forming optical waveguides that connect these fibers in a linear shape, facilitating easier arrangement and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the end surface of optical fibers is formed perpendicular to the optical axis direction, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the connection loss and return loss between optical fibers and self-forming optical waveguides increase due to mismatched angles of light incidence/emission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidconnection loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end surface of the optical fiber core is formed with a specific inclination angle relative to the optical axis direction. This parameter change in the geometry of the optical fiber end surface enables the emitted light to match the angle of the self-forming optical waveguide, thereby reducing connection loss and return loss while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through precise angular control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If single-mode optical fibers are bundled according to core arrangement of multicore fiber, then the core pitch mismatch problem arises between single-mode optical fibers and multicore fiber, but this bundling approach is necessary to achieve one-to-one optical connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical connection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A self-forming optical waveguide is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber and the multicore fiber. This waveguide bridges the gap caused by core pitch mismatch and shape differences, enabling accurate one-to-one optical connection without requiring complex bundling arrangements of single-mode optical fibers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-forming optical waveguide extends in the optical axis direction to connect the optical fiber end surface to the multicore fiber core. This dimensional extension creates a gradual transition path for light propagation, accommodating the pitch mismatch and enabling accurate optical connection between components with different geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the optical coupling device uses diagonally formed core ends with specific inclination angles, then connection loss and return loss are reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection lossVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inclination angle of the optical fiber core end surface is determined in advance based on the refractive index of the core and the self-forming optical waveguide. This preliminary calculation and planning of the angular parameter allows for precise manufacturing using standard precision processing techniques, balancing the need for reduced connection loss with manufacturing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This configuration reduces connection loss and return loss, simplifies the arrangement of optical fibers, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves yield by enabling easier alignment and processing of fiber ends.

Implementation Method 1

the self-forming optical waveguide is provided between the optical fibers, an end portion of the self-forming optical waveguide is optically connected to the core of each optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an end portion of each core is diagonally formed with an inclination angle according to a refractive index of each core and a refractive index of the self-forming optical waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12210191B2Optical coupling device and method for manufacturing optical coupling device

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 ORBRAY CO LTD

AI summary

An optical coupling device including multiple optical fibers each of which includes at least one core; and a self-forming optical waveguide, wherein the optical fibers are arranged facing each other, and the self-forming optical waveguide is provided between the optical fibers, an end portion of the self-forming optical waveguide is optically connected to the core of each optical fiber, the cores of the optical fibers arranged facing each other are optically connected to each other through the self-forming optical waveguide in a linear shape, optical axis directions of the optical fibers optically connected to each other through the self-forming optical waveguide are parallel with each other, and an end portion of each core is diagonally formed with an inclination angle according to a refractive index of each core and a refractive index of the self-forming optical waveguide.