Optical Module Laser Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical modules cannot prevent laser beam leakage when no optical fiber is inserted in the fiber interface, leading to potential human bodily injury.

Innovation Solution

An optical module with a current control circuit, a transistor, and a laser control unit that detects the presence of an optical fiber and controls the laser to remain off when no fiber is inserted, preventing accidental activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intelligent power adjustment (IPA) is implemented to detect and respond to fiber cuts, then communication reliability is improved, but the system cannot prevent laser beam leakage when no optical fiber is inserted in the optical fiber interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidlaser beam leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting whether an optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber interface before activating the laser. The detection unit checks the insertion status in advance, and only allows the laser to operate when a fiber is properly inserted. This prevents laser beam leakage before it can occur, while still enabling reliable communication when the fiber is correctly connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the laser is always kept on to ensure communication functionality, then communication capability is maintained, but human bodily injury or eye injury may occur when no optical fiber is inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidhuman bodily injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit that continuously monitors the optical fiber insertion status and provides this information to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the laser operation based on this feedback - keeping the laser on when a fiber is inserted to maintain communication capability, and turning it off when no fiber is inserted to prevent human injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a simple on/off control mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot distinguish between fiber insertion status and fiber cut conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection unit that sits between the optical fiber interface and the control unit. This detection unit specifically detects the physical insertion status of the optical fiber, providing accurate information to the control unit without adding significant complexity. The intermediary enables the system to distinguish between insertion status and transmission conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10008824B2Optical module for preventing laser beam leakage and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An optical module for preventing laser beam leakage and a control method thereof are disclosed. The optical module including a current control circuit, a first transistor, a laser, and a laser control unit. The laser control unit is configured to: if it is detected that an optical fiber is inserted in the optical fiber interface, perform control to turn on the laser, or if it is detected that no optical fiber is inserted in the optical fiber interface, control the laser to remain in an off state. A laser beam is effectively prevented from causing human bodily injury when an optical fiber is not inserted in an optical fiber interface.