Optical Fiber Ribbon Inspection via Reflected Light Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection methods for intermittently connected optical fiber ribbons struggle to accurately detect the position of connecting resin, especially when the resin is transparent and the optical fibers are not reliably spaced, leading to difficulties in acquiring high-contrast images and detecting non-connecting portions effectively, especially at higher traveling speeds.

Innovation Solution

An inspection method and device that irradiate the optical fiber ribbon with light and capture images based on reflected light, allowing for the accurate detection of the connecting resin's position by exploiting the contrast in reflected light intensity between resin-present and resin-absent areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If transmitted light is used to inspect the optical fiber ribbon, then the inspection can be performed, but the connecting resin is difficult to detect because light transmits through the transparent resin, resulting in low contrast images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetectability of connecting resinVSAvoidlight contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the inspection approach by using reflected light instead of transmitted light. The imaging device captures images of the surface of the optical fiber ribbon where light is reflected, not transmitted through the resin. This inversion allows the connecting resin to be detected through its surface reflection characteristics, solving the problem of low contrast when using transmitted light on transparent materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits changes in light reflection characteristics (analogous to color changes) to detect the connecting resin. By capturing reflected light images, the system detects variations in reflectivity at the resin interface, which provide contrast against the surrounding areas. This allows the transparent connecting resin to be visually distinguished and detected through its unique reflection properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If the optical fiber ribbon travels at high speed, then productivity increases, but the optical fiber ribbon may float from the guide roller due to vibration, making it difficult to detect non-connecting portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraveling speedVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical guidance system (guide roller) with an optical inspection system. Instead of relying on mechanical contact to maintain fiber position and detect non-connecting portions, the system uses reflected light imaging to capture the surface characteristics. This substitution allows high-speed travel without mechanical constraint, as the optical system can detect the resin position regardless of mechanical guidance stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a guide roller with step portion is used to separate non-connecting portions, then the resin position can be indicated, but the effect of step or protrusion is removed when traveling speed increases due to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresin position detectionVSAvoidtraveling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical step portion guide roller with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical steps or protrusions that may be blurred by vibration at high speeds, the system captures reflected light images that clearly show the resin position. The optical system maintains measurement precision at high speeds because it detects surface reflection characteristics rather than relying on mechanical structures that suffer from vibration-induced blurring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

This approach enables the precise detection of the connecting resin's position, even when it is transparent, by generating high-contrast images of reflected light, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of optical fiber ribbon inspections, especially at higher speeds.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating a surface of the optical fiber ribbon where the connecting resin is provided with light from a light source while causing the optical fiber ribbon to travel in the longitudinal direction, and causing an imaging device to acquire an image based on reflected light that is emitted from the light source and reflected from the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflected light: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250110016A1Inspection method and inspection device of optical fiber ribbon

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

An inspection method of an optical fiber ribbon where a plurality of optical fibers are intermittently connected in a longitudinal direction through a connecting resin in a state where the optical fibers are arranged in parallel, the inspection method includes a step of irradiating a surface of the optical fiber ribbon where the connecting resin is provided with light from a light source while causing the optical fiber ribbon to travel in the longitudinal direction, and causing an imaging device to acquire an image based on reflected light that is emitted from the light source and reflected from the surface; and a step of detecting a position of the connecting resin based on the image.