Optical Module Fiber Connection Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The connection of optical fibers with different core diameters poses challenges due to potential light leakage and increased manufacturing costs, particularly when using conventional fusion and splicing methods, which can lead to fiber damage and elevated temperatures at the connection site.

Innovation Solution

An optical module with a thermally conductive and photorefractive protective material covering the connection site between optical fibers of varying core diameters, allowing for efficient light propagation and temperature management, thereby reducing the number of working steps and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical fibers with different core diameters are fused and spliced using conventional methods, then light propagation is achieved, but the optical fibers may be damaged due to light leakage and temperature increase at the connection site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber connection reliabilityVSAvoidlight leakage and temperature increase

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A connection protecting portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the two optical fibers with different core diameters. This protecting portion covers the connection site and includes materials that manage light leakage and heat dissipation, preventing direct harmful interaction between the mismatched fiber cores while maintaining optical transmission functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful light leakage phenomenon into a beneficial thermal management mechanism. By allowing controlled light leakage into the connection protecting portion, the system dissipates excess optical energy as heat through the thermally conductive materials, preventing dangerous temperature accumulation at the fiber connection point

Inventive Principle:

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

2Loss of energy

If space coupling system or tapered splicing is used to reduce fusion loss, then light leakage is reduced, but the number of working steps increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefusion lossVSAvoidnumber of working steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the connection protecting portion materials to achieve optimal performance. By selecting materials with specific thermal conductivity values and refractive indices, the system effectively manages light leakage and heat dissipation without requiring complex tapered splicing procedures or multiple working steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connection protecting portion utilizes composite materials that combine thermal conduction and photorefractive properties. This composite structure enables simultaneous management of both heat dissipation and light leakage control in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for multiple separate processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 suppresses temperature increases and promptly releases leakage light, ensuring reliable optical performance and cost-effectiveness in connecting optical fibers with different core diameters.

Implementation Method 1

the connection protecting portion includes a thermally conductive protective material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a photorefractive protective material having a refractive index that is equal to or higher than that of a clad portion of the first optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11139632B2Optical module and light output device

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

An optical module comprising a first optical fiber corresponding to an incidence side for laser light a second optical fiber corresponding to an emission side for the laser light; and a connection protecting portion that is provided and located so as to cover a connection site for optically connecting the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, wherein the second optical fiber has a larger core diameter than the first optical fiber, the connection site is a site where a core portion of the first optical fiber and a core portion of the second optical fiber are connected to each other in a discontinuous shape, and the connection protecting portion is formed of a thermally conductive protective material and/or a photorefractive protective material includes refractive index that is equal to or higher than that of a clad portion of the first optical fiber.