Optical Fiber Ribbonizing Tablet for Stress-Free Splicing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ribbonization tools and methods for optical fibers fail to allow multiple fibers to be spliced simultaneously and transferred to a splice protector without incurring mechanical stress, resulting in low process reliability and high risk and time.

Innovation Solution

A ribbonizing apparatus and method that uses a tablet with fiber aligning and fastening means to engage with splicing and splice protector apparatus, enabling simultaneous splicing and stress-free transfer of multiple optical fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ribbonization tools are used, then fibers can be arranged in splice equipment, but mechanical stress damages the fibers during transfer to splice protector

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tablet as an intermediary carrier element that temporarily holds multiple optical fibers in a fixed arrangement. This tablet serves as a mediator between the splice equipment and the splice protector, allowing fibers to be transferred without direct mechanical stress during the transfer process. The tablet maintains fiber positions and protects splice points during handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple fibers are spliced simultaneously with conventional tools, then productivity increases, but process risk and time increase due to lack of proper support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplicing speedVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-arranging multiple optical fibers in a specific pattern on the tablet before splicing. The fibers are fixed in position on the tablet in advance, allowing multiple fibers to be spliced simultaneously without requiring complex real-time alignment during the splicing process. This preliminary arrangement enables efficient batch splicing while maintaining control over the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If conventional ribbonization methods are used, then fibers can be fastened, but they cannot be safely transferred to splice protector without mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber handlingVSAvoidfiber integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of fiber arrangement, fastening, and protection into a single integrated tablet structure. The tablet combines alignment features, fastening mechanisms, and protective elements into one component that handles multiple functions simultaneously. This integration simplifies operations while maintaining fiber integrity during transfer and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2834686B1Optical fiber ribbonization apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 XIEON NETWORKS SARL
  • EP2834686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2834686B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c

AI summary

Method of ribbonizing a plurality of optical fibers (103) and ribbonizing apparatus for optical fibers, comprising a tablet (101) including fiber aligning means (104, 105) for aligning a plurality of optical fibers (103) in parallel, the ribbonizing apparatus being configured to be movably arranged in a splicing apparatus (102) when the plurality of optical fibers (103) is aligned in the tablet (101), and to be removed from the splicing apparatus (102) after a splicing process, so that the plurality of optical fibers (103) is not damaged due to mechanical stress.