Cable Clamping Force Control for Damage-Free Fiber Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable installation apparatuses often risk damaging optical fiber cables due to excessive clamping forces during installation, and require skilled operators to manage these forces effectively, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a clamping force control system that uses sensors and electric servo motors to regulate clamping force based on predefined settings and real-time sensor input, allowing for adjustable clamping forces to prevent damage and ensure smooth installation, even with varying cable types and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high clamping force is applied to ensure cable grip during installation, then the cable may be damaged or overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the clamping force applied to the cable and provide real-time data to a control unit. The control unit adjusts the clamping force dynamically based on sensor input, ensuring the force remains within safe thresholds to prevent cable damage while maintaining adequate grip for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system can modify the clamping force in real-time based on cable type, installation conditions, and sensor feedback, allowing optimization between sufficient grip and cable protection throughout the installation process.
2Ease of operation
If manual control of clamping force is used, then skilled operators are required, but this increases operation complexity and potential for human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-regulation of clamping force through automated feedback control. Sensors monitor the actual clamping force and the control unit automatically adjusts it without operator intervention, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining optimal and safe clamping levels throughout installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical control of clamping force is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors and electronic control units to regulate the force, eliminating the need for skilled manual operation while reducing human error potential.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed clamping force settings are used, then the apparatus is simpler to operate, but it cannot adapt to different cable types and installation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force settings are made dynamic and adjustable based on detected cable characteristics and installation conditions. The system can adapt to different cable types by modifying clamping force parameters in real-time, providing versatility without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (clamping force values) based on detected cable properties and installation conditions. By automatically adjusting these parameters, the system adapts to different cable types and scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a blowing chamber having a cable inlet, a cable outlet, and a fluid inlet, wherein the cable outlet is configured to be connected to the duct. A pushing drive, a first conveyer part and a second conveyer part, wherein the conveyer parts are arranged at opposing sides of a cable guidance space and wherein one or both conveyer parts are configured to be driven by the pushing drive—and thereby induce a driving force onto a part of the cable arranged in the cable guidance space, wherein one or both of the first and second conveyer part is configured to be moved towards and away from the cable guidance space. A clamping force control that controls the clamping force applied onto the cable by the conveyer parts according to a first clamping setting while the driving force is applied onto the cable.