Tapered Optical Fiber Array for Compact Laser Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-based lighting systems are bulky due to the need for multiple optical components like lenses and reflectors for beam shaping and color mixing, and commercially available fiber combiners have a fixed number of input fibers, making them inflexible for varying lighting needs.
Innovation Solution
A compact laser-based optical system using an array of optical fibers with tapered sections, where each fiber has a first section for light mixing and a second tapered section for beam broadening, eliminating the need for additional optical components and allowing for flexible fiber arrangement and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lenses or reflectors are used for beam shaping and color mixing, then optical performance is improved, but the size of the lighting system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate optical components (lenses, reflectors) into a single integrated optical fiber bundle structure. The fiber bundle simultaneously performs beam shaping and color mixing functions that would traditionally require separate components, thereby reducing the overall system volume while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber bundle is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it transports laser light, shapes the beam, and mixes colors all through its structured core and cladding regions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing system complexity and size.
2Ease of manufacture
If commercially available fiber combiners with fixed number of input fibers are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to varying lighting needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber bundle is segmented into multiple independent input fibers that can be individually configured and arranged. This segmentation allows the system to be customized by adjusting the number, arrangement, and specifications of individual fibers while maintaining a standardized bundle structure, thus achieving both manufacturing simplicity and design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber bundle design incorporates dynamic configurability where the number and arrangement of input fibers can be adjusted based on specific lighting applications. This dynamic adaptability is achieved while maintaining a consistent manufacturing process, allowing the same basic structure to serve multiple applications with varying fiber counts.
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 system achieves a more compact design with fewer optical components, enabling easier customization, improved color mixing, and enhanced beam broadening without the need for additional optical elements, thus supporting a cyclic economy by simplifying dismantling and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
light can be transported and delivered by optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
the second section comprising a second cross-section, the second cross-section comprising a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area decreasing in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis from the first section towards the second end
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system (1) configured to guide laser light and comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber (3-11) of the plurality of optical fibers comprising a longitudinal axis (L), a first end (12) forming a light entry facet, a second end (15), a first section (13) and a second section (14), the first section (13) extending in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis (L) from the first end (12) to the second section (14), and the second section (14) extending in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis (L) from the first section (13) to the second end (15), the first section (13) comprising a first cross-section, the first cross-section comprising a first cross-sectional area being constant in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis (L), at least one of the second end (15) and at least a part (17) of an outer surface (141) of the second section (14) forming a light exit facet, and the second section (14) comprising a second cross-section, the second cross-section comprising a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area decreasing in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis (L) from the first section (13) towards the second end (15), the plurality of optical fibers (3-11) being arranged in an array (2) of optical fibers, the array (2) comprising n*m optical fibers, n and m being integers, and at least one of n and m being two or more.