Optical Fiber Fuse Shielding Wall for Upstream Fire Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In laser processing devices, optical fiber fuses can occur, leading to heat generation and light emission, which can cause the coating layer to burn and potentially spread to upstream optical fibers, posing a risk of fire and damage to the device, especially when the downstream optical fiber is wound in a coil form, increasing the risk of fire leaping to the upstream section.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber fuse protection device is implemented by disposing a wall between the upstream and downstream optical fibers to shield them from each other, reducing the influence of an optical fiber fuse occurring in the downstream fiber on the upstream fiber, thereby minimizing damage and preventing fire from spreading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the downstream optical fiber is wound in a coil form to save space, then the device compactness is improved, but the risk of fire spreading to the upstream section increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidfire spreading risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber path is segmented into upstream and downstream sections with a protective structure (wall or heat-resistant material) placed between them. This segmentation prevents fire and heat from the downstream coil from spreading to the upstream section, while maintaining the compact coil configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wall or heat-resistant intermediary structure is introduced between the upstream and downstream optical fibers. This intermediary blocks the transmission of heat and fire from the downstream coil to the upstream section, resolving the contradiction between compactness and fire safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no protective structure is added between upstream and downstream optical fibers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damage from optical fiber fuse spreads to the upstream fiber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective structureVSAvoidupstream fiber protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure divides the optical fiber system into isolated upstream and downstream sections. This simple segmentation prevents fuse damage from propagating upstream while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A thin wall or heat-resistant film is used as the protective structure between upstream and downstream fibers. This thin-film approach provides effective fire and heat protection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a wall is added to shield upstream and downstream optical fibers, then the upstream fiber protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupstream fiber protectionVSAvoidshielding structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A thin wall or heat-resistant film is employed as the shielding structure between upstream and downstream optical fibers. This thin-film approach provides effective protection against fire and heat while minimizing the increase in device complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding wall is implemented only at the critical interface between upstream and downstream fibers where fire protection is most needed. This localized approach provides necessary protection while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other parts of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of fire and damage to the upstream optical fiber by containing the heat and light emission from an optical fiber fuse in the downstream fiber, allowing for quicker repair and minimizing downtime and costs.

Implementation Method 1

disposing a wall between the upstream and downstream optical fibers to shield them from each other, reducing the influence of an optical fiber fuse occurring in the downstream fiber on the upstream fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat blockage: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blockage: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3996219B1Optical fiber fuse protection device, laser device, and method

Publication Date: 2024.10.23 FUJIKURA LTD

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AI summary

For an optical device including an upstream optical fiber and a downstream optical fiber, this invention has an object to reduce, in a case where optical fiber fuse occurs in the downstream optical fiber, the influence of the optical fiber fuse that can be given to the upstream optical fiber. An optical fiber fuse protection device (10) includes an upstream optical fiber (output port OP) disposed on an upstream side, a downstream optical fiber (output delivery fiber ODF) fusion-spliced to the upstream optical fiber (output port OP), and a wall (partition wall Pa) interposed between the upstream optical fiber (output port OP) and the downstream optical fiber (output delivery fiber ODF).