Optical Coupling Device Dust Trap Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fiber coupling devices face contamination issues when establishing connections, leading to potential damage of optical components due to debris particles, which requires frequent servicing and disrupts productivity, and existing solutions are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber coupling device with a deformable protection mechanism that surrounds the optical fiber connector, trapping contaminating particles and preventing them from reaching downstream components, thus reducing contamination and extending servicing intervals without affecting optical processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical fiber connector is coupled to coupling mechanism, then optical connection is established, but contaminating particles may reach and contaminate optical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination of optical components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A deformable protection element is introduced as an intermediary component between the coupling mechanism and the optical path. This protection element deforms to receive the optical fiber connector while covering a portion of the axial channel cross-section, thereby trapping contaminating particles and preventing them from reaching the optical components downstream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection element is designed as a deformable, flexible component that can change its shape to accommodate the optical fiber connector during coupling. This flexible structure allows the protection element to adaptively surround the connector and maintain effective coverage of the axial channel, preventing particle contamination while enabling reliable optical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Manufacturing precision

If laser transparent window is cleaned or replaced, then optical properties are restored, but optical coupling must be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical component qualityVSAvoidproduction continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable protection element is installed in advance within the coupling device, creating a protective barrier before any coupling operation begins. This preliminary protective measure prevents contamination during the coupling process itself, eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning or replacement of optical components and maintaining continuous production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protection element converts the potentially harmful coupling process (which generates contaminating particles) into a beneficial opportunity by trapping these particles within the axial channel during the very act of establishing the optical connection. The coupling operation that would normally cause contamination is transformed into a controlled process where particles are captured and contained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If horizontal or oblique orientation is used, then contamination risk is reduced, but implementation is limited in many cases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidimplementation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of changing the orientation of the coupling device to reduce contamination risk (as in conventional approaches), this invention inverts the problem-solving approach by maintaining the convenient vertical orientation and instead introducing a deformable protection element that actively traps particles regardless of orientation. This allows the system to maintain implementation flexibility while effectively reducing contamination risk.

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

The solution effectively minimizes contamination, reduces downtime, and lowers operational costs by maintaining high laser quality and precision with longer production cycles, as the deformable element adapts to the connector without requiring additional electronic components or complex mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable protection element configured for receiving therethrough said laser transmission device, when said laser transmission device is coupled to the coupling mechanism, form-fitting to the laser transmission device and filling a cross-section of the axial channel around the optical fiber connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20240151922A1Optical coupling device with dust trap

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 RAYLASE GMBH

AI summary

The invention refers to an optical fiber coupling device comprising a protection mechanism comprising a deformable element configured for deforming to receive therethrough an optical fiber connector, when the optical fiber connector is coupled to a coupling mechanism of the optical fiber coupling device, such that the deformable element surrounds the optical fiber connector and covers a portion of a cross-section of an axial channel of the optical fiber coupling device around the optical fiber connector. The invention further refers to an optical module for laser-processing a workpiece comprising such an optical fiber coupling device.