Compact Fiber End Face Grinder with Pinion-Rack Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinders for grinding the end face of optical fibers are bulky, inconvenient to carry, and limited in application scope due to complex planetary gear systems and inability to adapt to various fiber connectors, making them inefficient and impractical for on-site use.
Innovation Solution
A grinder with a simplified structure featuring an annular rack wheel and pinion system, a fiber fixing module, and a detachable grinding pad that can accommodate different types of fiber connectors, allowing for easy adaptation and efficient grinding with a compact, reliable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a planetary gear system is used to drive the polishing medium, then the grinding function is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and inconvenient to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex planetary gear system from the device, replacing it with a simplified direct drive mechanism. The polishing medium is directly rotated by a motor without requiring planetary gears, thereby reducing device complexity and size while maintaining the grinding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a housing, a rotatable base with the polishing medium, and a motor assembly. This segmentation allows for a more compact design where components can be optimized independently, reducing overall device size and improving portability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed polishing device is used, then the grinding function is provided, but the application scope is limited to a few fiber connector types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotatable base that can rotate to different positions, allowing the same device to accommodate different fiber connector types. The base rotation mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the polishing medium's orientation, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with a universal structure that can handle multiple types of fiber connectors (e.g., SC, LC, FC) through the rotatable base mechanism. The same polishing medium and housing can serve different functions by rotating to appropriate positions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
3Productivity
If complex grinding processes are used, then grinding precision is improved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step mechanical grinding processes with a simplified single-step polishing mechanism. The motor directly drives the polishing medium to perform the grinding function in one continuous motion, reducing the number of operational steps and thereby decreasing total operation time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The polishing medium rotates continuously during the grinding process, providing uninterrupted useful action. This continuous rotation eliminates idle time between grinding steps and maintains consistent grinding pressure and speed, thereby improving productivity and reducing overall operation time.
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 grinder achieves efficient and uniform grinding of optical fiber end faces with a compact, user-friendly design that can handle various fiber types, enhancing on-site usability and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an annular pinion having external engaging teeth and configured to revolve along with a rotation axis of the base and rotate around its own rotation axis under the mutual engagement of the pinion and the rack wheel when the base is rotated
Implementation Method 2
a grinding pad connected to another end of the transmission shaft and configured to revolve along with the rotation axis of the base and rotate around its own rotation axis together with the transmission shaft and match an end face of a to-be-ground fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A grinder for grinding an end face of a fiber includes a housing, a fiber fixing module, a base, a transmission shaft, and a grinding pad. The housing includes an annular rack wheel with an internal engaging teeth. The fiber fixing module is positioned on a top of the housing. The base is positioned at a bottom of the housing and includes an eccentric connection portion. An end of the transmission shaft is connected to the connection portion. The transmission shaft is sleeved with an annular pinion having external engaging teeth engaging with the internal engaging teeth. The grinding pad is connected to another end of the transmission shaft and revolves around the rotation axis of the base and rotates around its own rotation axis together with the transmission shaft and matches an end face of a to-be-ground fiber penetrating the fiber fixing module.