Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-14
2001-10-16
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
C385S093000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302595
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to optical coupling of remotely located light sources to a display site, and more particularly, it is directed to optical coupling of light-emitting diodes through a light pipe to light diffusing lenses located at the display site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other such light sources provide visual information for many applications. Typically LEDS are mounted on printed circuit boards along with other electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, inductors, semiconductor chips, which at least in part function to turn on and off the LEDs at the appropriate times. In order to view the output of the LED, its light providing information may be transferred along a light pipe and displayed at a display site location such as on a panel. Many prior art arrangements have evolved over the years in an attempt to provide light source monitoring. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,873 entitled Apparatus for Monitoring Light Source Operation, a light pipe arrangement is disclosed in which multiple light sources are combined into a single display point. The mounting sleeve member for the end of the single light pipe is inserted through and abuts the rear side of a panel providing viewing of the end of the light pipe at the front of the panel.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,273, entitled Remote, Automotive Light Diverting System, a light pipe captures light from an LED or other light emitting source and conducts that light to a light diverting section which changes the light from a columnar to a radial format to enable the light to be seen from multiple locations.
As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,324 entitled Light Pipe discloses a light pipe for transmitting LED emitted light from a printed circuit board through an opening in a display panel. The light pipe has a light-transmitting member having a first end for emitting the transmitted light through one of the openings, a second end which forms a connecting portion for attaching the light pipe to the printed circuit board, and a fastener for removably fastening the light pipe to the display panel. A groove on the outer surface of the light-transmitting member in combination with a pair of clips form an exemplary fastener.
Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,995, entitled Lens Unit and Light Pipe Assembly, a light transmission device is disclosed, which includes a short light pipe segment disposed within a lens unit. The lens unit is mounted in a panel and receives light from an LED mounted in another panel directly behind but spaced from the light pipe.
Yet, as another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,676, entitled Light Pipe Optical Coupling Between LED and Fiber Optic Cable discloses a mounting structure for containing an LED with a light-passing lens, an optical cable facing the LED lens and a light reflecting light pipe for focusing the LED light into the optical cable entrance.
Equipment display panels may use such light transmitting schemes to display status information or other data or desired information to a user. A number of display lights can be mounted on a panel, such as in row and/or column format. Accordingly, many light pipe assemblies may be necessary for a given design requirement. Conventional assemblies of light pipe assemblies in conjunction with circuit boards and display panels can be time consuming to assemble and difficult to disassemble for repair or other servicing. As such, while conventional light pipe transmitting schemes have been used in industry for many years, it would be advantageous to provide a simpler arrangement to couple light from a remotely located circuit board to a display location. Such a light transmitting arrangement that is also simple to manufacture in large quantities, simple to assemble and disassemble and which provides a reliable light indicating output would result in an important advancement in the art. Thus there is a need for an improved arrangement and method to overcome difficulties in optical coupling as between light sources, light pipes and lenses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an optical transmission system that includes a flexible light pipe with a lens/display panel mounting unit (“lens unit”) at one end and a fitting base attached at the other end of the light pipe. The lens unit has a light transmitting/diffusing end wall and a generally cylindrically shaped structure extending rearwardly from said end wall defining a bore to receive a light pipe therein in a secure manner, for example, by a bonded interface. The rearwardly extending cylindrically shaped structure of the lens unit is designed to be secured in a complementary hole in a display panel by an interference fit, for example. The other end of the light pipe is adapted to be positioned over a light-emitting element such as an LED, by means of the fitting base. The fitting base defines a hole for receiving the light pipe therein in a secure manner such as, for example, in an interference fit manner. The fitting base can be of a type that can be “plugged” into a circuit card over an LED that has been electrically mounted to the circuit card. Alternatively, the fitting base may house the LED, with the LED wire leads attached as by soldering to metal conductive traces on the circuit card.
Surprisingly, this simple optical transmitting arrangement comprising the lens unit, flexible light pipe and fitting base quickly and securely attach together to enable light generated by an LED located on a remote circuit board to be viewed at a nearby display panel. Furthermore, the relative simplicity of this arrangement allows the lens unit, flexible light pipe and board mounting fitting to be economically manufactured and made in large quantities. The light pipe may conveniently be cut to the desired lengths at the assembly site and the entire system may be easily assembled and disassembled between a display panel and circuit card without any special tools or fixtures.
The construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of the optical transmission arrangement of the present invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Dienst Richard L.
Vilgiate Anthony W.
Bivar, Inc.
Jackson Harold L.
Palmer Phan T. H.
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