Optical Fiber Jacket Remover With Heat Insulating Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber jacket removers require high power consumption and a large pulling force to remove the coating, risking damage to the optical fiber and are prone to water infiltration, which affects efficiency and operational duration.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber jacket remover design featuring a main unit with a heater and blade mechanism that cuts the coating near the fiber end, using a heat-insulating and liquid-tight structure to reduce heating time and power consumption, and minimize the pulling force required for smooth coating removal without damaging the fiber, while preventing water infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the temperature at which the coating is heated is decreased, then the coating can be removed with less pulling force, but high power consumption is required to maintain the heating system
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating elements positioned at different locations along the optical fiber. This allows selective heating of only the portion of the fiber where coating removal is needed, rather than heating the entire fiber length, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective coating removal at the target zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heating locally only to the specific region where coating removal is required, using positioned heating elements that contact or near the optical fiber at the coating end. This localized heating approach reduces energy consumption compared to heating the entire fiber, while still achieving sufficient temperature for coating softening and removal with reduced pulling force.
2Power
If the heater is mounted directly to the case, then the heating efficiency is improved, but water can infiltrate into the heater mounting space causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof sealing structure acts as an intermediary between the heater mounting space and the external environment. This sealing mechanism prevents water infiltration while allowing the heater to maintain direct thermal contact with the optical fiber for efficient heating, thus resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and water resistance.
3Productivity
If a large pulling force is applied to remove the coating, then the coating removal speed is increased, but the optical fiber may break or be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the coating by heating it to its softening temperature range. This parameter change transforms the coating from a rigid state that requires large pulling forces to a softened state that can be removed with minimal force, thereby increasing removal speed while preserving optical fiber integrity.
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 reduces power consumption, extends operational life, enhances working efficiency, and prevents water infiltration, allowing for safe and efficient removal of optical fiber coatings without breaking or damaging the fiber.
Implementation Method 1
the end portion of the optical fiber is heated by the heater
Implementation Method 2
drawing a glass fiber of an optical fiber out from a coating by cutting the coating in the vicinity of an end portion of an optical fiber through use of the blade
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber jacket remover draws a glass fiber out from a coating by cutting the coating in a jacket removing portion and moving an optical fiber holding portion away from a jacket remover main unit in a heated state. The jacket removing portion is provided with a heater supporting member on which a heater is mounted. The heater supporting member is accommodated in a recessed receiving portion formed in a case. A heat insulating space is formed between the recessed receiving portion and the heater supporting member. A side surface of the heater supporting member and an inside surface of a lateral wall of the recessed receiving portion are brought into contact with each other via a lateral rib formed on the heater supporting member, and the heat insulating space is thereby blocked.