Abstract:
A coupler for coupling a light source to a fiber optic, comprising an adapter having a cavity for receiving the fiber optic, said adapter including pins extending in a direction perpendicular to the fiber optic&#39;s axis; a coupler body having an aperture for receiving the adapter, said aperture including a pair of through slots for receiving the pins, said body including interior pin sockets radially offset from the slots; a plate mounted within the coupler body; and biasing means urging said plate towards the aperture in the coupling body wherein when the adapter is inserted into the aperture of the coupler body, the adapter initially urges the plate in a direction away from the aperture, whereupon the adapter is rotated until the pins become aligned with and captured within the pin sockets allowing the plate to be urged in a direction back towards the aperture locking the coupler in place.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/152,414, filed Feb. 13, 2009, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to fiber optics, and more particularly to devices for attaching a fiber-optic bundle to a light source. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Systems comprising a light source and one or more fiber-optic bundles are used in a broad range of applications. In the medical field, fiber-optic illuminators are widely used in endoscopy and comprise various light sources, fiber-optics, and endoscopes; fiber-optic light systems providing “blue” light in the 420-490 nm wavelength range are used in photodynamic therapy for pediatric hyperbilirubinemia. Fiber-optic illumination systems are also used in industrial boroscopes and machine vision systems. Systems having light sources and fiber-optics for light transmission can also provide one or more defined wavelengths of light for fluorescent excitation in biological and other fields of research. In general illumination, light sources may distribute light over multiple fiber optics for spot or decorative lighting. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Disclosed is an adapter specific to a particular fiber optic which is secured to the fiber optic light source by a user. Adaptors can be readily developed and manufactured for fiber optic configurations within a broad range of diameters and lengths. The dimensions of the holes in the adaptors ensure that the fiber optic is correctly positioned within the adapter and that the proper adapter is used with each fiber optic. 
         [0007]    “Bayonet” features on the adaptor and light source coupler allow a user to insert the adaptor into the light source coupler by a simple push and turn motion. The fiber optic and adapter are easily removed from the light source coupler with a similar push and turn motion. 
         [0008]    A spring-loaded plate within the light source coupler securely holds the adapter in its installed position and also ensures the desired relationship between the fiber optic and the internal optical components of the light source. 
         [0009]    Other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter in view of the specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0010]    The present application can be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in which like parts may be referred to by like numerals. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a light source focusing light towards the input face of a fiber optic bundle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present application. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates the cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates the “bayonet” design of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the components in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present application. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates the cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the components in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    To provide an overall understanding, certain illustrative embodiments will now be described; however, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the systems and methods described herein can be adapted and modified to provide systems and methods for other suitable applications and that other additions and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the systems and methods described herein. 
         [0020]    Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments can be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of certain embodiments, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, features, components, modules, and/or aspects of the illustrations can be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the disclosed systems or methods. Additionally, the shapes and sizes of components are also exemplary and unless otherwise specified, can be altered without affecting the scope of the disclosed and exemplary systems or methods of the present disclosure. 
         [0021]    Disclosed is a coupler that may be generally mounted to, or integrated with, the front outer housing (not shown) of a light source in which light is directed toward the input face of the fiber optic  4  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The light source may focus the light in a generally conical pattern  1  centered on optical axis  2  and focused at focal plane  3 . The light enters fiber optic  4  having a light acceptance angle (numerical aperture NA)  5 . Thus, it is desirable for the fiber optic  4  to be located co-axial with optical axis  2 . It is also desirable for the input face of the fiber optic to be located co-planar with the optical focal plane  3 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2-5  illustrate an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present application. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the input end portion of a fiber optic bundle  14  can be inserted into the adapter  12  and secured within the adapter  12  by a binding screw or other means not shown. The adapter  12  has a cavity  20  to match the particular fiber optic. For example, the cavity  20  in adapter  12  may comprise two or more coaxial and contiguous cylindrical sections of diameters and depths appropriate to match the particular fiber optic. In this illustration, the adapter  12  has two such diameters. Because the adapter  12  has at least two internal diameters matched to the particular fiber bundle, a different fiber bundle will either not physically fit into the adapter  12  or the mismatch will be readily apparent to the user. Further, there will always be at least one “shoulder”  19  at the transition from one diameter to another, and adapters  12  are designed so that at least one shoulder serves as a fiber optic to adaptor interface positioning feature, to precisely position the input face  18  of the fiber optic  14  relative to the front face  11  of the adapter  12 . 
         [0023]    Since the adapter  12  is low-cost and can be easily removed from the light source coupler, the adapter  12  can remain on the fiber optic bundle  14  indefinitely or even be integrated into the design of the fiber optic bundle  14 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user may insert the adapter  12  into the coupler body  10  so that the bayonet pins  13  align with and enter into the coupler body bayonet slots  21 . During this insertion, the front face  11  of the adapter  12  will contact and push against the moving plate  17 . The moving plate  17  pushes against the adapter  12  due to the force applied by one or more springs  16 . The springs  16  are chosen such that this outward force is sufficient to hold the adapter  12  in place once inserted, yet allows for easy insertion. For example, the total spring force may be in the range of approximately 0.2 to 2.2 lb (approximately 0.1 to 1.0 kg). As with other bayonet type fittings, the user may then rotate the adapter  12  through an angle of approximately 15° to 90° so that the bayonet pins  13  engage bayonet cams  22  in the coupler body  10 . 
         [0025]    Because the moving plate  17  can move in a direction parallel to the axis of the adaptor  12  and is spring loaded as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , any optical element  15  held in the moving plate  17  may be located with little or no gap against the input face  18  of the fiber optic  14 . For example, the optical element  15  may be a holographic diffuser film affixed to moving plate  17  by clamping ring  15   b . It is optically advantageous for the face of the optical element  15  to be parallel and held with little or no gap relative to the input face  18  of the fiber optic  14 . This gap may be readily controlled because the front face  11  of adapter  12  presses against moving plate  17  and the input face  18  of the fiber optic  14  is located relative to the front face  11  of adapter  12  by adapter shoulder  19 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate a second exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present application. The configuration and function of some components in the second exemplary embodiment are similar to the aforementioned embodiment; accordingly, only the distinct features are described below. 
         [0027]    In the second exemplary embodiment, the moving plate  23 , springs  16 , and the additional fixed plate  25  are configured such that the moving plate  23  serves to pull the adapter  12  inward, as distinguished from the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the moving plate  17  exerts an outward force on the adapter  12 . 
         [0028]    Further, the bayonet cams  26  are located in the moving plate  23  in the second exemplary embodiment, rather than in the coupler body  10 . 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , in order to attach the adapter  12  into the coupler body  10 , the bayonet pins  13  are aligned with the coupler body bayonet slots  21  on the coupler body  10  and the moving plate bayonet slots  27  on the moving plate  23 . The bayonet pins  13  enter into the coupler body bayonet slots  21  and then further enter into the moving plate bayonet slots  27 . Once the bayonet pins  13  reach the ends of the moving plate bayonet slots  27 , the user may rotate the adapter  12  through an angle of approximately 15° to 90° so that the bayonet pins  13  engage bayonet cams  26  in the moving plate  23 . Note that the bayonet cams  26  have an arc shape. As the bayonet pins  13  travel from the moving plate bayonet slots  27  to the top of the arc  28 , the moving plate  23  is pushed towards the coupler body  10  and the adapter  12  (i.e., towards the right in  FIG. 8 ). As the bayonet pins  13  travel to the end of the arc  29 , the moving plate  23  is pushed away from the coupler body  10  and the adapter  12  (i.e., towards the left in  FIG. 8 ). The springs  16  push against the moving plate  23  (i.e., towards the left in  FIG. 8 ) and pull the adapter  12  inwards. When the adapter  12  has been fully inserted within the coupler body  10 , the adapter face  11  will be in contact with fixed plate  25 . Since the fiber optic face  18  is positioned relative to adapter face  11  by shoulder  19 , the position of fiber optic face  11  will be precisely located with respect to fixed plate  25 . 
         [0030]    In the second exemplary embodiment, an optical element such as a holographic diffuser  24  is mounted by a clamp ring  24   b  within the fixed plate  25 , which in turn is fixed within the coupler body  10 . Since the position of fiber optic face  18  will be precisely located with respect to fixed plate  25 , the gap between fiber optic face  16  and optical element  24  will be equally controlled, which prevents damage to the optical element and is optically advantageous. 
         [0031]    To the extent that the coupler body  10  and the fixed plate  25  are located precisely with respect to the light source optics, the input face  18  of the fiber optic  14  will be precisely located at the focal plane of the light source, which is optically advantageous. Further, the spring force acting in concert with the bayonet features will aid in angular alignment of the fiber optic  14  with respect to the optical center axis. 
         [0032]    Other variations of the present designs may be made. 
         [0033]    The methods and systems described herein are not limited to a particular hardware or software configuration, and may find applicability in many computing or processing environments. The methods and systems can be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0034]    Unless otherwise stated, use of the word “substantially” can be construed to include a precise relationship, condition, arrangement, orientation, and/or other characteristic, and deviations thereof as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to the extent that such deviations do not materially affect the disclosed methods and systems. 
         [0035]    Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” or “an” to modify a noun can be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. 
         [0036]    Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be associated with, and/or be based on, something else, can be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein. 
         [0037]    Although the methods and systems have been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, can be made by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, can include practices otherwise than specifically described, and is to be interpreted as broadly as allowed under the law.