Whip Shield for Optical Fiber Winding Spool
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fibers wound onto rotating spools are susceptible to damage due to whipping action of loose ends, which existing guards and shields fail to adequately prevent, leading to unpredictable breakage and further damage.
Innovation Solution
A whip shield apparatus that surrounds the spool with an entry slot and smooth continuous inner surface to redirect and contain the loose fiber end, minimizing contact with already wound fibers and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guards or shields are mounted to prevent fiber whip damage, then safety is improved, but the loose end of the fiber is still susceptible to damage caused by contact with the guard, gaps near the guard and with the wound fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The whip shield employs a smooth continuous curved inner surface instead of flat or angular surfaces. This curvature eliminates sharp edges and corners that could cause fiber damage, allowing the fiber end to glide smoothly along the surface without catching or breaking, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and preventing damage from guard contact
Solution Approach 2:
The entry slot is designed with specific local characteristics: a first surface that receives the fiber end and a second surface that transitions smoothly to the continuous inner surface. This localized structural design with different surface properties at different locations ensures the fiber is properly guided and protected without damage from contact with the shield structure
2Reliability
If the spool rotation is brought to an immediate stop to prevent whipping damage, then fiber damage is reduced, but the spool cannot be stopped instantaneously causing an inevitable period of uncontrolled fiber whipping
Solution Approach 1:
The whip shield is positioned and configured to intercept the fiber end before it can whip uncontrollably toward the wound fiber. The preliminary containment structure is already in place to guide the fiber end onto the smooth inner surface, preventing damage during the unavoidable stop time and eliminating the need for instantaneous spool stopping
3Productivity
If high-speed winding is maintained to improve productivity, then output increases, but the fiber is susceptible to breakage due to forces applied by the winding machine
Solution Approach 1:
The whip shield acts as a protective cushioning structure that is in place before any fiber breakage occurs. The smooth continuous inner surface provides a controlled path for the fiber end, cushioning it against the forces generated during high-speed winding and preventing breakage and damage even when the fiber does break, thereby maintaining productivity while protecting fiber integrity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for reducing fiber whip damage to optical fiber wound on a fiber winding spool is provided. The apparatus includes a fiber entry feed mechanism operatively coupled to the fiber winding spool to feed the optical fiber onto the fiber winding spool. The apparatus also includes a whip shield arranged to substantially surround the fiber winding spool. The whip shield includes a first surface aligned with and facing the fiber winding spool within an entry slot that is laterally offset from a second surface. The first surface transitions to the second surface such that a loose end of the optical fiber is initially directed into the entry slot away from the fiber winding spool and transitions to the second surface.