Optical Waveguide Pressure Array With Scattering Crosspoint Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-dimensional optical waveguide pressure sensor arrays using polymer optical fibers require complex mechanical structures like ring-shaped elements for enhanced waveguide bending, increasing system complexity and alignment precision.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional optical waveguide pressure sensor array utilizing deformable polymer optical fibers with patch-like light coupling structures composed of flexible light scattering material, which enhances bending without precise alignment requirements, allowing for improved transfer characteristics and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ring-shaped mechanical structures are used to enhance waveguide bending, then pressure sensing sensitivity is improved, but system complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex ring-shaped mechanical structures from the sensor design. Instead of using rings to enhance waveguide bending, the invention relies on the natural bending of deformable polymer optical fibers at crosspoints, thereby eliminating the additional mechanical components and reducing system complexity while maintaining pressure sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensor array into independent crosspoint sensors formed by intersecting row and column waveguides. Each crosspoint acts as an independent sensing element without requiring additional mechanical structures, allowing the system to achieve pressure sensitivity through the inherent deformability of the polymer optical fibers alone
2Reliability
If ring-shaped mechanical structures are used to enhance waveguide bending, then transfer characteristics are improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the ring-shaped mechanical structures that would require precise alignment. By using only the deformable polymer optical fibers themselves to provide waveguide bending, the system removes the alignment precision requirement entirely, as the fibers naturally conform to the pressure applied at crosspoints without needing precisely positioned mechanical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the waveguides from rigid to deformable polymer optical fibers. This parameter change allows the waveguides to naturally bend in response to pressure, providing the necessary transfer characteristics without requiring precisely aligned mechanical structures
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 proposed system achieves high sensitivity, robustness, and scalability with simplified manufacturing, offering linear or exponential pressure-dependent optical coupling characteristics suitable for various applications, including sleep monitoring and fall detection, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
each crosspoint includes one of the row waveguides in direct contact with one of the column waveguides at its intersection point; each crosspoint further includes a respective light coupling structure configured to enhance waveguide bending when pressure is applied to the crosspoint
Implementation Method 2
the light coupling structure comprises a layer of mechanical light scattering material disposed in contact with at least one of the row or column optical waveguide
Implementation Method 3
the light coupling structure has a closed structure in which in the centre of said closed structure a deformable material is arranged; the light coupled to the column optical waveguide is dependent on the pressure applied to the crosspoint
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a two-dimensional optical waveguide pressure sensor array is provided, comprising two or more row optical waveguides; two or more column optical waveguides, wherein the row optical waveguides and the column optical waveguides are deformable and arranged in a planar array to define a sensor in the crosspoints, wherein each crosspoint includes one of the row waveguides in contact with one of the column waveguides at its intersection point; wherein each crosspoint further includes a light coupling structure configured to enhance waveguide bending when pressure is applied to the crosspoint; wherein the light coupling structure comprises a layer of mechanical light scattering material disposed in contact with at least one of the row or column optical waveguide; wherein the optical waveguide pressure sensor array is configured to sense pressure by providing light to the row optical waveguides and measuring light coupled at each crosspoint to its column optical waveguide, or vice versa, and wherein the light coupled to the column optical waveguide is dependent on the pressure applied to the crosspoint acting as a sensor.