Optical Fiber Coating Eccentricity Detection via Diameter Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately measure the eccentricity of a thin coating around a small-diameter optical fiber using scattered light analysis, as the thickness of the coating makes it difficult to determine the eccentricity with respect to the glass fiber.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller that acquires measurement values for the outer diameter of the optical fiber at various positions, calculates the standard deviation, and determines the eccentricity based on this calculation, allowing for adjustment of the resin coating unit to maintain an acceptable eccentricity level, even for thin coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser beam scattered light analysis is used to measure coating eccentricity, then measurement method is established, but measurement precision deteriorates when coating thickness is thin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct scattered light pattern analysis to outer diameter variation analysis. By measuring outer diameter at multiple positions along the optical fiber and calculating standard deviation, the method achieves reliable eccentricity determination even for thin coatings where scattered light analysis fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary measurement approach - instead of directly analyzing the coating's scattered light pattern, it measures the outer diameter of the entire optical fiber (glass core + coating) at multiple positions. The standard deviation of these outer diameter measurements serves as an intermediary parameter that reflects coating eccentricity regardless of coating thickness.
2Reliability
If real-time eccentricity measurement is implemented during manufacturing, then quality control is improved, but measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system uses the optical fiber's own outer diameter characteristics to determine eccentricity. By measuring outer diameter variations along the fiber length, the system self-determines coating eccentricity without requiring complex additional measurement apparatus or sophisticated analysis methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback control system where the calculated standard deviation of outer diameter measurements is fed back to adjust the resin coating unit's tilt angle. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time correction of coating eccentricity during the manufacturing process, improving quality while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An eccentric state determining method which is performed by a controller and for determining a state of eccentricity of a coating of a glass fiber with respect to the glass fiber. The coating is formed around the glass fiber. The method includes acquiring measurement values for an outer diameter of the optical fiber at positions along a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, calculating a standard deviation of the measurement values, and determining the state of the eccentricity based on the standard deviation.