Optical Fiber Reordering Assembly for MPO Sequence Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatically organizing optical fibers from a random sequence to a predetermined sequence is challenging in fiber optic cable manufacturing, particularly in high-density applications like MPO connectors, which requires precise and time-consuming manual alignment.
Innovation Solution
A fiber sorting system comprising a first and second assembly, a computing system, and a control application that identifies key combinations from an initial sequence to reorder optical fibers into a predetermined sequence using actuators and a machine learning model for precise movement and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment is used to organize optical fibers, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated system that uses imaging sensors to detect fiber positions, a computing system to calculate key combinations, and actuators to execute precise fiber movements. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with an automated sensing-computing-actuating system resolves the contradiction by achieving both high precision and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the fiber organizing system to automatically detect its own state through imaging, compute the required actions, and execute corrections without external intervention. The computing system identifies key combinations based on detected fiber sequences, and actuators automatically reposition fibers, creating a self-correcting system that maintains precision while increasing productivity.
2Productivity
If automated fiber organizing systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fiber organizing system into distinct functional modules: an imaging module for detection, a computing module for processing and key combination identification, and an actuating module for execution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by creating modular, interchangeable units that can be managed separately, thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal components that perform multiple functions: the imaging system not only detects fiber positions but also provides feedback for verification; the computing system handles both initial sequence analysis and final verification; the actuators serve both positioning and ordering functions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of dedicated components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise fiber reordering is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time occurs during the reorganization process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of the initial fiber sequence before any physical reordering occurs. The imaging system captures the current state, and the computing system pre-calculates the optimal key combinations and movement paths. This preliminary planning ensures that when actuators execute the reordering, the movements are direct and efficient, minimizing the actual reordering time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system identifies and executes only the necessary fiber movements by calculating optimal key combinations, skipping unnecessary intermediate steps. Rather than systematically repositioning every fiber, the system determines the minimal set of movements required to achieve the target sequence, rushing through the essential reordering operations while maintaining precision through controlled actuation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method organizes fibers. A plurality of fibers is received into a first assembly. An initial sequence of the plurality of fibers in the first assembly is obtained. A set of key combinations is identified from the initial sequence and a predetermined sequence. A second assembly is slid across the first assembly. The set of key combinations is actuated to move the plurality of fibers from the first assembly to the second assembly and order the plurality of fibers in the second assembly in the predetermined sequence.