Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer Reinforcement Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical-fiber fusion-splicing devices waste energy by preheating the reinforcement device during the fusion-splicing process, leading to increased power consumption and longer operation times.
Innovation Solution
An optical-fiber fusion-splicing device with separate heating devices for fusion-splicing and reinforcement, where the reinforcement heating device is preheated only after the fusion-splicing operation is complete, and then heated to a higher temperature for resin shrinkage, with a control unit managing the heating processes to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If preheating is started when power supply is turned on, then reinforcement operation time is shortened, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary heating of the heating unit to a first temperature (preheating) only after receiving a heating end signal from the first heating device, before performing the full heating process to the second temperature. This preliminary action reduces the reinforcement operation time without causing unnecessary power consumption during the fusion-splicing process.
2Productivity
If preheating is performed during fusion-splicing operation, then reinforcement operation is faster, but power is wastefully consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the state of the first heating device and receives a heating end signal when fusion-splicing is complete. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides when to start preheating the second heating device, ensuring that power is not wasted during the fusion-splicing operation while still preparing the reinforcement device for rapid operation afterward.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate heating devices are used for fusion and reinforcement, then process control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions for the first heating device (fusion-splicing) and the second heating device (reinforcement) into a single control unit. This merging of control functions allows precise control of both heating processes separately while avoiding the need for separate control systems, thus improving process control precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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 reduces power consumption and shortens the reinforcement operation time by avoiding unnecessary preheating during fusion-splicing, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective operations.
Implementation Method 1
fusing the abutting parts by an electric discharge in a fusion device
Implementation Method 2
performing reinforcement by heat-shrinking a heat-shrinkable resin covering a fusion-spliced site
Data Source
AI summary
An optical-fiber fusion-splicing device includes: a first heating device in which a fusion-splicing operation of heating and fusing abutting parts of at least a pair of optical fibers with end faces brought into contact with each other is performed; a second heating device in which a reinforcing operation of heating and shrinking a heat-shrinkable resin which covers a site where the optical fibers are fusion-spliced to each other is performed; and a CPU which controls the first heating device and the second heating device, wherein the CPU preheats a heater of the second heating device so as to reach a predetermined first temperature, if the CPU receives a heating end signal from the first heating device, and thereafter, heats the heater of the second heating device so as to reach a second temperature higher than the first temperature, if the CPU receives a reinforcement start signal.