Optical Fiber Marking Vibration Damping and Ink Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking optical fibers are inefficient due to limited color options, wear-off issues, and slow marking speeds caused by fiber vibration, especially at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed optical fiber marking apparatus that uses vibration dampers to stabilize the fiber, allowing ink-jet printer units to dispense and dry ink marks quickly, followed by a protective coating to ensure durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the optical fiber is moved at high speeds through the marking apparatus, then productivity is improved, but the fiber vibration increases making marking problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vibration dampers that utilize mechanical vibration principles to reduce fiber oscillation. The dampers are positioned to contact the fiber and dissipate vibrational energy, allowing high-speed marking while maintaining marking consistency by controlling the amplitude of fiber vibrations at the marking location.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration dampers serve as intermediary elements between the moving fiber and the marking apparatus. These dampers absorb and reduce the harmful vibrations without interfering with the marking process, enabling the fiber to pass through the marking zone at high speeds while maintaining positional stability for accurate marking.
2Ease of operation
If color-based coding schemes are used, then ease of operation is improved, but the number of distinguishable fibers is limited to about eighteen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using limited color codes to using segmented patterns of colored bands or markings along the fiber. By dividing the coding system into multiple segments (different positions, widths, and combinations of bands), the system can uniquely identify many more fibers while maintaining visual ease of operation and quick identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensions to the coding system by using patterns of bands at different positions, widths, and combinations along the fiber length. This transforms the coding from a single-dimension color system to a multi-dimensional pattern system, exponentially increasing the number of distinguishable fiber codes while preserving ease of visual identification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer surface of optical fibers is marked, then adaptability is improved, but the markings wear off over time by normal wear and tear and manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures for the markings, combining multiple layers or components such as adhesive bases with colored overlays, or integrating the markings with protective coatings. This composite approach enhances the durability and resistance to wear and tearing while maintaining the visual coding capability and adaptability of the fiber identification system.
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
Enables consistent and durable marking of optical fibers at high speeds, overcoming vibration-induced errors and ensuring long-lasting identification.
Implementation Method 1
damping the vibration of the optical fiber, the damping including controlling the vibration to have a peak-to-peak displacement less than 40 μm
Implementation Method 2
a printer unit configured to dispense ink to form wet ink marks along the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
drying the wet ink marks to form dry ink marks
Implementation Method 4
forming a substantially transparent protective coating over the outer surface of the optical fiber and over the marks
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus and methods include moving an optical fiber over a fiber path that includes a marking location at which resides a printer unit. The moving optical fiber has an amount of undamped fiber vibration that can exceed a fiber vibration tolerance at high fiber speeds. The printer unit is configured to dispense ink onto the optical fiber to form wet ink marks along the optical fiber as it moves past the marking location. The wet ink marks are dried and counted for quality control. The marked optical fiber is then covered with an overcoat to protect the ink marks. A position sensor measures an amount of vibration of the optical fiber substantially at the marking location. One or more vibration dampers disposed along the fiber path are used to reduce the fiber vibration below the fiber vibration tolerance. This allows for high-speed marking of the optical fiber.