Optical Coupling Unit With Beam-Splitting Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical coupling units for sending optical signals are not compactly designed and lack efficient light decoupling mechanisms for monitoring purposes without interfering with light guidance.

Innovation Solution

An optical coupling unit with a base unit made of light-transparent material, featuring a light path and an outer light path section with a beam-splitting surface coating for decoupling light, allowing partial reflection for monitoring without air gaps, and an additional unit for seamless integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional optical coupling units are used, then light guidance function is provided, but the structure is not compact and lacks efficient light decoupling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidlight guidance efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light guidance function and light decoupling function into a single integrated optical coupling unit. The beam-splitting surface coating is applied directly on the light exit surface of the base unit, combining multiple functions (light guidance, light extraction, and light decoupling) into one compact structure, thereby improving structural compactness while maintaining light guidance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical coupling unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: guiding light from the light input to the light output, extracting light through the beam-splitting surface, and decoupling light for monitoring purposes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, achieving both compactness and functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If beam-splitting surface coating is applied for light decoupling, then monitoring capability is enabled, but light guidance may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidlight guidance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The beam-splitting surface coating is applied locally on the light exit surface of the base unit, creating a localized functional area for light decoupling while leaving other areas intact for primary light guidance. This localized application ensures that monitoring capability is added without disrupting the overall light guidance stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The beam-splitting surface coating acts as an intermediary element that partially reflects and partially transmits light. This mediator function allows a portion of light to be decoupled for monitoring while the majority continues along the intended light path, maintaining light guidance stability while enabling monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If outer light path section extends outside base unit, then light decoupling is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight decoupling implementationVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outer light path section is merged with the base unit by applying the beam-splitting surface coating directly on the light exit surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate outer light path components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining alignment accuracy through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables a compact and efficient light decoupling mechanism for monitoring without disrupting light guidance, ensuring constant intensity and improved operational functionality in optical transceivers.

Implementation Method 1

a light-decoupling unit which is formed in the light path by means of at least one beam-splitting surface coating and configured to decouple part of the light transmitted along the light path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam splitting: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a base unit, a light path formed between a light input and a light output of the base unit and configured to transmit light received via the light input to the light output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9166694B2Optical coupling unit for an arrangement for sending optical signals, an arrangement for sending optical signals and an optical transceiver

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 FCI SA

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical coupling unit for an arrangement for sending optical signals, including a base unit, a light path formed between a light input and a light output of the base unit and configured to transmit light received via the light input to the light output, an outer light path section included in the light path, which section extends outside the base unit and into which the light transmitted along the light path emerges from the base unit via a light exit and from which the light after passing through the outer light path section enters again into the base unit via a light entry, and a light decoupling element, which is formed in the light path by means of at least one beamsplitting surface coating and configured to decouple a portion of the light transmitted along the light path. Furthermore the invention relates to an arrangement for sending optical signals and to an optical transceiver.