JPH02186304A - Optical instructing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the radiation efficiency of the light in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of an optical fiber or the direction nearly perpendicular thereto by cutting the optical fiber diagonally with the axial direction and refracting or reflecting the propagating light in the core of the optical fiber at the cutting plane so that the light is radiated to the outside after changing the propagation direction thereof. CONSTITUTION:The optical fiber 1 of the optical instructing device having the direction 1 is cut diagonally with the axial direction of the optical fiber 1 and the light 5 propagated in the core of the optical fiber 1 is retracted or reflected at the cutting plane 4 to change the propagation direction of the propagation light 5, by which the light is radiated to the outside of the direction perpendicular to the optical fiber or the direction nearly perpendicular thereto. The radiation angle of this radiation light 6 is determined by the cutting angle thetaof the cut surface 4. The radiation angle of the radiation light 6 to the axial direction of the optical fiber 1 can, therefore, be changed by adjusting the cutting angle theta. The radiation efficiency of the radiant light in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber or the direction nearly perpendicular thereto is improved in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an optical instruction device that uses an optical fiber and provides instructions using light emitted from the optical fiber.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention relates to an optical pointing device using an optical fiber, in which the optical fiber is cut obliquely with respect to its axial direction, and the light propagating in the core of the optical fiber is refracted or reflected at the cut surface. This method improves the radiation efficiency of light in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction by changing the propagation direction of the optical fiber and emitting the light to the outside of the optical fiber. be.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a light indicating device using an optical fiber, an optical fiber serving as a pointer is cut at right angles to its axial direction, and the light emitted from the cut surface is used to measure a speedometer or an ammeter. It is easy to read the indicated values of various analog instruments such as
It has been proposed by one of the applicants (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-25
(See Publication No. 168).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional example described above, light is refracted or transmitted through the cut surface of the optical fiber and emitted to the outside in the axial direction of the optical fiber, or is reflected by the cut surface. Since the light is directed by the light transmitted through the side of the optical fiber and radiated to the outside, it is said that the efficiency of light radiation in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber, or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction, is poor. There were drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical pointing device that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks and improves the radiation efficiency of light in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of an optical fiber or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction. .

[a! Means for solving m] To achieve such an object, the present invention provides an optical indicator having an optical fiber, in which the optical fiber is cut obliquely to the axial direction of the optical fiber, and the cut surface The optical fiber is characterized in that by refracting or reflecting the propagating light within the core of the optical fiber to change the propagation direction of the propagating light, the light is emitted to the outside in a direction perpendicular to the optical fiber or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction.

[Function] In the present invention, an optical fiber is cut obliquely with respect to its axial direction, and the light propagating within the optical fiber is refracted or reflected at the cut surface, and the propagation direction is changed and the light is emitted. Efficiency of light radiation in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the fiber or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction is good.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, where 1
is an optical fiber consisting of a core 2 and a cladding 3.

In this example, the optical fiber 1 is cut obliquely at an angle θ with respect to its axial direction, and the cut surface 4 is mirror-finished.

The propagating light 5 within the core 2 of the optical fiber 1 is reflected or refracted at the cut surface 4 and is emitted as radiation 6 to the outside of the optical fiber 1 from the cut surface 4 and the side surface of the optical fiber 1 . The radiation angle of this radiation 6 is determined by the cutting angle θ of the cutting surface 4. Therefore, by adjusting this cutting angle θ, the radiation angle of the emitted light 6 with respect to the axial direction of the optical fiber 1 can be changed. This radiation light 6 is used, for example, as an indicator light for a panel meter.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention.

In this example, the optical fiber 1 is cut obliquely from two directions at angles θ1 and θ2 with respect to its axial direction to form a wedge shape, and these two cut surfaces 4 are mirror-finished.

The light 5 propagating within the core 2 of the optical fiber 1 is reflected or refracted at the two cutting surfaces 4 and radiated to the outside of the optical fiber 1, and the radiation angle of the emitted light 6 is equal to the cutting angle θ of the cutting surface 4.
1. It is determined by θ2. Therefore, these cutting angles θ1. By adjusting θ2, the radiation angle of the radiation light 6 can be changed.

Further, in this example, the number of cut surfaces 4 is two, but even if the number of cut surfaces 4 is increased, the propagating light 5 is similarly emitted in the direction determined by the cut surfaces.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a third embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the optical fiber 1 is cut obliquely at an angle θ with respect to its axial direction, so that the propagating light inside the optical fiber 1 is cut roughly. The cut surface 4 has a rough finish so as to cause diffuse reflection on the surface 4.

In this case, the light 5 propagating in the core 2 of the optical fiber 1 is diffusely reflected at the cut surface 4, and the light transmitted through the cut surface 4 is scattered, so the cut surface 4 shown in FIG. 1 has a mirror finish. The synchrotron radiation 6 is emitted at a wider range of angles than in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
A light reflecting film is formed on the cut surface 4 of the optical fiber 1 processed as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 by metal plating or the like.

In this case, the propagating light 5 in the core 2 of the optical fiber 1 is transferred to the optical fiber by the cutting surface 4 or the light reflection 11i7. The light is diffusely reflected inward, scattered from the side surface of the optical fiber 1, and radiated. Therefore, in this example, since no light is emitted from the cut surface 4, the amount of emitted light 6 emitted from the side surface of the optical fiber 1 is greater than in the third embodiment shown in FIG.

Note that in both the third and fourth embodiments described above, even when the number of cut surfaces 4 is increased, the propagation light 5 in the core 2 of the optical fiber 1 is It is scattered and radiated.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, emitted light is transmitted in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber, or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction, with respect to the light propagating in the core of the optical fiber. Since the radiation efficiency can be improved, the scope of application as a light indicating device using an optical fiber is expanded, and it is suitable for, for example, providing light instructions in the pointer of a panel meter.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which an optical fiber is cut at an angle θ with respect to its axial direction, and the cut surface is finished with a mirror finish. A vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which the optical fiber is cut from two directions at angles θ1 and θ2 and the cut surface is mirror-finished. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which the cut surface is roughened, and FIG. Furthermore, it is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which a light reflecting film is provided on the cut surface. 1. Optical fiber, 2. Core, 3. Cladding, 4. Cut surface, 5. Propagating light, 6. Synchrotron radiation, 7. ...Light reflective film. 2F7 Patent applicant: All Nippon Television Service Co., Ltd. Patent applicant: Japan Broadcasting Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In an optical pointing device having an optical fiber, the optical fiber is cut obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the optical fiber,
By refracting or reflecting the propagating light in the core of the optical fiber at the cut surface and changing the propagation direction of the propagating light, the light is transmitted to the outside in a direction perpendicular to the optical fiber or in a direction close to the perpendicular direction. A light indicating device characterized in that it emits light.