Integrated Optical Fiber Dispenser for Simultaneous Adhesive Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing optical fiber cables in buildings require multiple steps and can result in inconsistent support and time-consuming processes, as they often necessitate separate applications of adhesive and cable, which may lead to visual impact and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system that integrates an applicator with a dispenser cylinder containing both adhesive and optical fiber cable, allowing simultaneous dispensing of the adhesive and cable along a supporting surface, eliminating the need for a second application step and ensuring consistent bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If adhesive and cable are applied in separate steps, then the installation process is simpler to equipment design, but the installation time increases and consistency of bonding decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidequipment design
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the adhesive dispensing mechanism and cable dispensing mechanism into a single integrated applicator device. The adhesive dispenser and cable spool are merged into one tool that can be held and operated by a single installer, allowing simultaneous application of both adhesive and cable in one continuous motion along the baseboard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If adhesive and cable are applied simultaneously, then installation efficiency improves and bonding consistency increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding consistencyVSAvoidapplicator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated applicator is segmented into distinct functional modules: an adhesive dispensing system with its own nozzle and control, and a cable dispensing system with its own spool and guide. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently while maintaining overall integration, making the complex device more manageable and easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cable is hidden behind baseboard molding, then visual impact is reduced, but installation complexity increases and cable support consistency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual impactVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied to the baseboard molding first, creating a prepared bonding surface before the cable is positioned. This preliminary action ensures that when the cable is immediately placed into the adhesive, it is properly supported and bonded in the correct position behind the baseboard, achieving both visual concealment and consistent support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This integrated system enables a faster, more consistent, and visually discreet installation of optical fiber cables by bonding them directly to surfaces in a single continuous process, reducing installation time and ensuring reliable cable support.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive bead 12 along a top edge of a baseboard molding 14 using an adhesive dispenser tool 16... the adhesive bead 12, 22 dries and bonds the optical fiber cable 18, 20 in place

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3924763B1Optical fiber and adhesive dispenser system
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 OFS FITEL LLC
  • EP3924763B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1F
  • EP3924763B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3924763B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system for installing an optical fiber cable in a building hallway or living unit includes an elongated cylinder for containing an adhesive, and a continuous length of an optical fiber cable embedded in the adhesive in a configuration that avoids kinks or knots in the cable. An elongated nozzle is fixed at a first end of the cylinder for depositing the adhesive and the cable from an open tip of the nozzle, along a desired routing path in the hallway or living unit. An applicator assembly is constructed and arranged for receiving the cylinder, and for applying a dispensing force at a second end of the cylinder opposite the first end so as to urge the adhesive and the cable out of the open tip of the nozzle.