Fiber Laser Connector Access for In-Housing End-Face Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fiber laser devices, it is difficult to perform maintenance such as observation and cleaning on the end surface of the second fiber due to its enclosed nature within a housing.
Innovation Solution
A fiber laser device design that includes a movable holder to change the orientation of the second fiber connector, allowing the end surface to be exposed through a housing opening, enabling easy observation and cleaning using a fiberscope and cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first optical element and the second optical element are housed in a housing, then the device structure is compact and protected, but it becomes difficult to perform maintenance on the end surface of the second fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The holder for the second fiber connector is designed to be movable, allowing the connector to be positioned in different locations. During normal operation, the connector is positioned to maintain optical connection. During maintenance, the holder can be moved to expose the end surface of the second fiber through the opening, enabling easy cleaning and observation without disassembling the housing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the second fiber connector is fixed in position for optical connection, then the optical path is stable, but the end surface cannot be accessed for cleaning and observation
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with movable capability that allows the second fiber connector to be dynamically repositioned. The connector can be held stable at a first position for optimal optical connection, and moved to a second position that exposes the end surface through the housing opening for maintenance operations such as cleaning with a cleaner or observation with a fiberscope.
3Ease of repair
If an opening is formed in the housing wall for accessing the fiber connector, then maintenance becomes easier, but the device structure becomes more complex and less protected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a permanent opening in the housing structure, the design extracts the second fiber connector from the enclosed housing environment by providing a holder that can move the connector to a position where the end surface is exposed through an opening. This allows maintenance access without permanently compromising the housing structure or requiring complex access mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber laser device includes: a housing; a first optical element configured to include a first fiber and a first fiber connector; a second optical element configured to include a second fiber and a second fiber connector; and a movable holder configured to hold the second fiber connector and be movable so that an orientation of the second fiber connector changes between a first orientation and a second orientation. The first optical element and the second optical element are optically connectable via the first fiber connector and the second fiber connector, a first opening is formed in a wall portion of the housing, the first orientation is an orientation when the first optical element and the second optical element are optically connected, and the second orientation is an orientation in which an end surface of the second fiber is exposed through the first opening.