Optical Rotary Joint With Magnetic Coupling For High Speed Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical rotary couplings for large rotatably mounted units require significant technical, material, and cost-related efforts, especially when scaling, and struggle to maintain high data transfer rates like 40 Gbit/s without substantial component upgrades.
Innovation Solution
An optical rotary coupling design featuring two units with laterally spaced rotary axes, connected via an endless loop rotary transmitter, utilizing optical signal lines, beam splitters, and coupling means for continuous signal transmission without interruption, allowing for scalable and cost-effective high-speed data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical rotary couplings are used for large rotatably mounted units, then optical signal transmission is achieved, but significant technical, material, and cost effort is required especially when scaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical optical coupling systems with a magnetic field-based optical coupling system. Magnets are arranged on both sides of the rotary joint to create magnetic fields that couple optical signals across the rotary interface without requiring direct mechanical contact or alignment, thereby reducing technical and cost effort while maintaining reliable signal transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary joint is divided into separate stationary and rotating parts, each equipped with magnets and optical components. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each side and simplifies the overall system design, reducing the technical effort required for assembly and maintenance
2Productivity
If conventional optical rotary couplings are used, then signal transmission is achieved, but maintaining high data transfer rates of 40 Gbit/s requires substantial component upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical optical coupling with magnetic field-based coupling, the system achieves stable signal transmission at high data rates without requiring frequent component upgrades. The magnetic field coupling provides consistent signal quality that maintains 40 Gbit/s transfer rates without substantial component modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field-based optical coupling ensures continuous and stable signal transmission across the rotary joint, maintaining high data transfer rates without interruption or degradation that would otherwise require component upgrades to sustain
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 reliable and efficient optical signal transmission between large units with minimal additional technical or cost effort, achieving data transfer rates of 40 Gbit/s and more, suitable for applications like medical diagnostics and non-destructive examinations.
Implementation Method 1
optical coupling means (KM1, KM2, KM3, KM4), both attached to the rotary transmitter (3) and to the rotatably mounted units (1, 2), so that an optical signal coupling can take place between one of the partial signal lines (T11, T12, T21, T22) and one of the transmission lines (6, 7)
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter or beam coupler (51, 52), which is optically coupled to the at least one optical signal line (S1, S2)
Implementation Method 3
at least two optical partial signal lines (T11, T12, T21, T22), which is optically coupled to the at least one optical signal line (S1, S2) via the beam conductor and/or beam coupler (51, 52)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An optical rotary joint for optical signal transmission is described, said optical rotary joint having at least two units that are respectively rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, the axes of rotation of which, at least in sections, have a lateral distance from one another. The invention is distinguished by a rotary transformer that is embodied in the form of an endless loop respectively resting in a circumferential manner on both units along a contact region and positively coupling the at least two units with one another in a rotationally movable manner. Attached to both units is respectively one optical unit for conjoint rotation, said optical unit comprising at least one optical signal line, a beam splitter and/or beam coupler, which is optically coupled to the at least one optical signal line, and at least two optical partial signal lines, said optical unit being optically coupled to the at least one optical signal line via the beam splitter and/or beam coupler. Moreover, at least two optical transmission lines are attached to the rotary transformer. Finally, optical coupling means are attached to the rotary transformer and optical coupling means are attached to the units, which respectively serve for detachable optical signal coupling between one of the partial signal lines and one of the optical transmission lines.