Optical Fiber Input-Guide Merging for Lower Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber apparatuses used in motor vehicle lighting often face issues with insufficient light output due to high losses, especially when ambient brightness is high, and there is a need to either increase the light coupled out or extend the fiber length without increasing losses.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber apparatus features at least two separate input guide sections with specific cross-sectional shapes that converge to form a common main guide section through a merging section, with a length that is 10-50 times the first radius, ensuring optimal angular geometry for total internal reflection and minimizing light loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the merging section is shortened to reduce device complexity, then the overall fiber length can be reduced, but light loss increases due to suboptimal angular geometry for total internal reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a merging section length parameter of 10-50 times the first radius to optimize the balance between device complexity and light loss. This parameter change ensures sufficient angular geometry for total internal reflection while controlling overall fiber length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different cross-sectional shapes at different locations: the input guide sections have cross-sections with edge sections having a first radius, while the main guide section has a cross-section with an edge section having a second radius. This local quality variation optimizes light guidance and reduces losses in the merging section.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple separate input guide sections are used to increase light output, then sufficient light can be coupled out even in high ambient brightness, but the device complexity and fiber structure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple input guide sections into a single main guide section through a merging section. This merging approach maintains the light-gathering advantage of multiple inputs while simplifying the overall structure by converging to a single output path.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is segmented into distinct functional sections: input guide sections with specific cross-sections, a merging section with optimized length, and a main guide section. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system efficiency.
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 design significantly reduces unwanted light coupling out and allows for increased light output at the end of the main guide section, either maintaining or enhancing light intensity while potentially reducing the overall length of the fiber.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring optimal angular geometry for total internal reflection and minimizing light loss
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber apparatus, including an optical fiber with at least two separate input guide sections provided at one end with a cross-section which is given at least in sections and comprises an edge section having a first radius, which converge and successively unite via a merging section to form a common main guide section with a cross-section which is given at least in sections and includes an edge section having a second radius, so that light introduced into an input guide section is guided into the common main guide section, where the merging section extends over a length which corresponds to 10-50 times the first radius.