Disc Blade Positioning for Precise Optical Fiber Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting devices for optical fibers face challenges in precisely positioning the blade member, leading to imperfect cuts and potential damage due to misalignment, which affects cutting quality and precision.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a disc-shaped blade member positioned using a positioning mechanism that includes a slit and projections for point-contact and elastic members for surface-contact, ensuring precise alignment and consistent cutting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the blade member is fixed at the center of the disc-shaped member, then the structure is simple, but the positioning precision is insufficient due to gaps and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from center-based positioning (one-dimensional radial positioning) to edge-based positioning with multiple projections (multi-dimensional positioning). By placing projections at the edge of the disc-shaped member and using corresponding positioning members, the system achieves precise positioning in multiple dimensions (radial position, angular position, and height) rather than relying solely on center alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positioning members as intermediary elements between the blade member and the mounting structure. These positioning members include projections that contact specific points on the blade member's edge, acting as mediators to achieve precise positioning without requiring direct center-based alignment or complex fixing mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the blade member is positioned at the center, then the structure is simple, but the height control is inaccurate due to hole-shaft gaps and eccentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the center hole-shaft interface and relocates it to the edge of the disc-shaped member. By removing reliance on the center hole for positioning and using edge projections instead, the system eliminates the sources of height control errors (gaps and eccentricity) while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning members with projections are pre-configured at specific locations and heights before the blade member is installed. This preliminary positioning setup ensures that when the blade member is mounted, the projections automatically establish the correct height and angular position, eliminating the need for post-installation height adjustment and ensuring consistent blade tip height.
3Manufacturing precision
If surface-contact positioning is used on the tapered portion, then the blade height can be set, but misalignment and angular contact may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function into multiple discrete projection points on the edge of the blade member, rather than using a single continuous surface contact. This segmentation into multiple point contacts (projections) provides stable positioning while preventing misalignment, as each projection independently defines a specific contact point that cannot rotate or shift angularly.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system incorporates elastic members that provide dynamic, flexible contact between the projections and positioning members. This elastic contact allows for self-adjustment and maintains reliable positioning under varying conditions, preventing misalignment while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and operational variations.
4Manufacturing precision
If point-contact positioning is used, then the blade can be positioned, but the axis may be misaligned and perpendicular positioning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple positioning functions (radial positioning, angular positioning, and height control) into a unified edge-based projection system. By combining these functions at the blade member's edge rather than using separate mechanisms for each degree of freedom, the system achieves precise positioning without increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning members with projections automatically self-align and self-position the blade member when mounted. The geometric relationship between the projections and the blade member's edge features ensures correct positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or external alignment tools, making the system simple yet precise.
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 device achieves high-precision cutting of optical fibers by maintaining consistent blade orientation and position, improving cutting quality and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member that presses the support part to a positioning portion of the positioning member with respect to the base
Implementation Method 2
scratches a surface of the glass fiber portion by contacting a disc-shaped blade member to cut the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A blade member is disposed above a cutting unit. The blade member is a substantially disc-shaped member, and the circumferential part serves as a blade tip. The blade member is stored in positioning members. When the positioning members are caused to counterpose and are then joined to each other, a slit is formed at the upper portion of the positioning members. A pair of projections projecting to the inner surface side are formed at one of the counterposing edges of the slit. The projections are formed at two positions with the center axis of the blade member therebetween. One surface of the blade member comes into surface-contact with the inner surface of the positioning member, and the blade member is pressed in the direction of the slit by an elastic member, whereby a tapered part on the other surface of the blade member comes into point-contact with the projections and is positioned therein.