Optical Fiber Cable Holder for Fusion Splicing Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber holders fail to securely hold loose buffer cables without causing breakage or damage to the optical fibers, as they primarily focus on aligning and supporting the fibers without adequate consideration for the cable sheath, leading to instability during fusion splicing.

Innovation Solution

A holder with a main body, fiber holding portion, and cable holding portion that securely positions both the optical fiber and the cable sheath, allowing for secure alignment and support through a combination of grooves, positioning surfaces, and movable covers to prevent slippage and damage, integrated into a fusion splicer for efficient splicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing optical fiber holders are used to hold loose buffer cables, then the optical fiber can be aligned and supported, but the cable sheath is not securely held causing instability during fusion splicing and potential breakage or damage to the optical fiber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of holding optical fiber cableVSAvoidstability during fusion splicing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into three distinct functional parts: a fiber holding portion for securing the optical fiber, a cable holding portion for securing the cable sheath, and a positioning surface for aligning the cable sheath end. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in holding specific components, ensuring both the fiber and cable sheath are securely positioned during fusion splicing without causing breakage or instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the holder secures the cable sheath firmly, then stability during fusion splicing is improved, but the optical fiber may be constrained excessively causing breakage or damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability during fusion splicingVSAvoidbreakage or damage to optical fiber
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder applies different holding characteristics to different components: the cable holding portion firmly secures the cable sheath to provide stability, while the fiber holding portion gently holds the optical fiber with appropriate clearance to prevent constraint-induced breakage. The positioning surface provides localized alignment support for the cable sheath end. This local differentiation of holding quality ensures stability without causing fiber damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2241914B1Optical fiber cable holder, fusion splicer including the holder, and fusion splicing method using the holder
Publication Date: 2013.07.24 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2241914B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2241914B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2241914B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3D

AI summary

A holder (21) capable of holding an optical fiber cable without breaking or damaging the cable includes a holder main body (22), a fiber holding portion (91), and a cable holding portion (32). The main body has a groove (24) for receiving the optical fiber exposed from the cable sheath at an end part of the cable, and a portion for receiving the end part of the cable sheath. A positioning surface (25) with which an end surface of the cable sheath can come in contact is provided at the boundary between the fiber receiving groove and the cable receiving part. A fiber holding portion for pressing and holding the optical fiber received by the fiber receiving groove, and a cable holding portion for pressing and holding the cable sheath received by the cable receiving part, are configured so that holding by the cable holding portion is released in conjunction with the release of holding by the fiber holding portion.