Optical Fiber Coupling with Light-Tunable Spacer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of manufacturing optical couplers at construction sites is hindered by the need for high thermal power and the inability to separate welded optical fibers, posing safety and quality concerns.
Innovation Solution
An optical coupling device with a thickness variable member between two optical fibers, controlled by irradiation with light, allowing adjustable coupling rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fibers are melted to manufacture optical coupler, then optical coupling occurs between fibers, but the fibers cannot be separated again and high thermal power is required
Solution Approach 1:
A thickness variable member is introduced as an intermediary component between the two optical fibers. This member's thickness can be varied by irradiation with light, thereby controlling the optical coupling degree without requiring the fibers to be melted or welded together. The intermediary enables controlled coupling while maintaining fiber separability and reducing thermal power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal melting process with an optical irradiation process. Instead of using high thermal power to melt fibers and create permanent coupling, the invention uses light irradiation to vary the thickness of the intermediate member, achieving controllable optical coupling without mechanical welding or thermal damage.
2Reliability
If high thermal power is used to melt optical fibers, then optical coupling is achieved, but safety concerns arise at construction sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the thermal field with an optical field. Instead of applying high thermal power that creates safety hazards, the invention uses light irradiation to control the thickness of the intermediate member. This replacement eliminates the harmful thermal effects while maintaining effective optical coupling control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from thermal power to light irradiation intensity. By varying the thickness of the intermediate member through optical irradiation rather than thermal heating, the system achieves safe operation at construction sites while maintaining reliable optical coupling.
3Reliability
If optical fibers are welded together, then permanent connection is achieved, but construction time is increased and flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic intermediate member whose thickness can be adjusted in real-time through light irradiation. This dynamic control allows the optical coupling degree to be modified without permanent welding, enabling faster deployment and reconfiguration at construction sites while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness variable member is pre-installed between the optical fibers before final coupling is achieved. This preliminary placement allows for controlled coupling to be established without requiring time-consuming welding processes, thereby reducing overall construction time while ensuring reliable connection.
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 controlled optical coupling between fibers, reducing construction time, improving safety, and ensuring quality by allowing fiber separation and adjustment without high thermal power.
Implementation Method 1
a thickness variable member having a thickness between the two coupling optical fibers that varies by irradiation with light
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical coupling device capable of controlling a coupling rate of optical coupling between two coupling optical fibers.An optical coupling device of the present disclosure includes two coupling optical fibers each including a core and a clad and, between the two coupling optical fibers, a thickness variable member having a thickness between the two coupling optical fibers that varies by irradiation with light.