Optical Fiber Heater Resistance Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber reinforcement processes require frequent adjustments in heating temperature due to varying external air temperatures, leading to inaccurate temperature control, increased labor for calibration, and higher power consumption, as they rely on external temperature detecting devices like thermistors which are susceptible to environmental variations.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus uses the heater itself as a temperature detecting device, monitoring resistance changes to control heating through a bridge circuit, eliminating the need for external thermistors and allowing for accurate and stable temperature control without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external temperature detecting devices like thermistors are used to monitor heating temperature, then temperature control can be performed, but the detected temperature varies due to external air temperature changes and attaching state, leading to reduced measurement precision and increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature detection function with the heating element by using the heater's own resistance changes as the detection mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate temperature detecting devices like thermistors, thereby improving measurement precision by removing sources of detection error while reducing device complexity by integrating functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is given dual functionality: it serves both as the heat source and as the temperature sensor. By monitoring the resistance changes of the heater itself, the system achieves temperature detection without requiring additional specialized components, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Productivity
If frequent adjustments in heating temperature are made to compensate for varying external air temperatures, then the processing can continue, but power consumption increases and temperature control accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism by continuously monitoring the heater's resistance changes, which directly reflect temperature conditions. This real-time feedback allows the system to maintain optimal heating temperature without frequent adjustments, reducing power consumption while ensuring continuous processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element monitors its own operating conditions through resistance changes and automatically adjusts its operation accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external temperature sensing and complex control adjustments, reducing power consumption while maintaining continuous productivity.
3Reliability
If external temperature detecting devices are used, then temperature monitoring is possible, but labor for calibration increases and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the temperature detection function into the heater element itself, the system eliminates separate detecting devices that require calibration and installation. This integration maintains reliable temperature monitoring while significantly simplifying manufacturing and eliminating calibration labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater element serves its own detection needs by using its inherent resistance-temperature relationship. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external sensing devices, calibration procedures, and complex installation processes, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining monitoring reliability.
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 approach reduces the number of components, enhances temperature control accuracy, and minimizes power consumption by using the heater to detect and regulate temperature, enabling efficient and stable heating of the reinforcing sleeve.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring resistance changes to control heating through a bridge circuit
Implementation Method 2
uses the heater itself as a temperature detecting device, monitoring resistance changes to control heating
Implementation Method 3
a reinforcing sleeve is used in which a tensile strength member and a heat-fusible adhesive resin material are housed in a heat-shrinkable tube that is radially shrinkable. The reinforcing sleeve is caused to heat shrink to protect the fusion-spliced portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus and reinforcement processing method are provided where it is not necessary to dispose a temperature detecting device such as a thermistor, and a heating control in which the detected temperature is not varied, the power consumption is low, and which is accurate is enabled.An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus in which a fusion-spliced portion of an optical fiber is covered by a heat-shrinkable reinforcing sleeve to perform reinforcement has: heating controlling means for performing a heating control on a heater which heats the reinforcing sleeve; and temperature detecting means for detecting a heating temperature of the heater on the basis of a change of the resistance of the heater. The heating control and the temperature detection are performed by controlling time periods of turning on/off a power supply to the heater. The temperature detection is performed by detecting a voltage change Eo of the midpoint of a bridge circuit in which a series circuit of a first fixed resistor R1 and a heater resistor RX, and a series circuit of a second fixed resistor R2 and a third fixed resistor R3 are connected in parallel.