Twisted Fiber Bundle Structure for Shorter Foveal Image Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fused optical fiber image conduits face issues with peripheral fiber constriction leading to inefficient light transmission due to stretching and diameter reduction, resulting in undesired image effects and bulky, unwieldy designs.
Innovation Solution
Optical fiber bundles are configured with varying fiber diameters and core-to-clad ratios that increase radially from the central axis, allowing for efficient image inversion over a shorter length without significant degradation, using a matrix to maintain fiber positions and facilitate twisting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bundle length is increased to reduce peripheral fiber constriction, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but the device becomes too long, heavy and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the diameter of individual fibers based on their radial position within the bundle. Peripheral fibers are manufactured with larger diameters than central fibers, creating a non-uniform structure that compensates for the differential stretching experienced during twisting. This localized adaptation allows the bundle to achieve the necessary angular displacement while maintaining adequate light transmission capacity in peripheral regions without requiring excessive bundle length.
2Ease of operation
If peripheral fibers are stretched and constricted to achieve angular displacement, then image inversion is achieved, but light transmission efficiency deteriorates due to diameter reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different diameters to fibers based on their radial position. Peripheral fibers are manufactured with larger initial diameters that compensate for the greater stretching they undergo during bundle twisting. This ensures that after twisting, peripheral fibers maintain sufficient diameter for effective light transmission, while central fibers with smaller initial diameters experience less stretching and maintain appropriate dimensions. This localized differentiation resolves the conflict between achieving image inversion through twisting and maintaining light transmission efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If all fibers are made with the same cross-sectional dimensions, then manufacturing is simplified, but peripheral fibers experience excessive constriction leading to vignetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by manufacturing fibers with non-uniform diameters that vary according to their radial position in the bundle. Peripheral fibers are made with larger diameters than central fibers. This approach increases manufacturing complexity compared to uniform fibers, but it eliminates vignetting by ensuring that peripheral fibers, which undergo greater stretching during twisting, retain sufficient diameter for effective light transmission throughout the bundle length.
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 solution enables efficient image inversion with reduced peripheral constriction, enabling shorter, lighter, and more effective fiber bundles with consistent image resolution across the bundle diameter.
Implementation Method 1
each constituent optical fiber is configured as an imaging fiber capable of conveying an infinitesimal portion of an input image
Implementation Method 2
the optical fiber bundle is twisted about the central bundle axis and along a portion of its length such that an image inputted into the image input end is angularly displaced about the central bundle axis
Data Source
AI summary
An image-conducting optical fiber bundle extends along a central bundle axis between image input and image output ends. The bundle is twisted along a portion of its length such that an image inputted into the image input end is angularly displaced about the central bundle axis before being outputted through the image output end. Each constituent optical fiber includes a cladding with a cladding diameter corresponding with the fiber diameter of that fiber and a core with a core diameter. The ratio of the core diameter to the cladding diameter defines a core-to-clad diameter ratio relative to each fiber. In various embodiments, at least one of fiber diameter and core-to-clad diameter ratio varies as a function of a fiber's radial displacement from the central bundle axis.