Partially Flexible Wound Optical Fiber Bundle with Rigid Intermediate Sections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for fabricating flexible optical fiber bundles with rigid intermediate regions are challenging due to the difficulty in accurately assembling and bonding the ends of the fibers, which can lead to stress and damage to the flexible regions, making it hard to create bundles that are partially flexible between rigidly fixed input and output ends.
Innovation Solution
A method involving winding light-conducting fibers into helices, bonding selected portions to form ends and intermediate regions, and then cutting and stacking these regions to create a fiber bundle with distinct input and output ends, while incorporating at least one rigid intermediate section by bonding fiber portions along intermediate regions, using curable agents like epoxy or heat-sensitive materials to secure the bonds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate portions of the fibers are allowed to flex individually to create flexibility, then the bundle can navigate irregularly shaped paths, but stress and damage may occur during assembly and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber bundle is segmented into distinct flexible regions and rigid intermediate regions. The rigid regions are formed by laterally bonding selected portions of the fibers to each other, creating discrete segments that provide structural support while allowing other portions to remain flexible. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by localizing rigidity where needed for assembly and damage prevention, while maintaining flexibility in regions required for navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fiber bundle are given different mechanical properties - some regions are rigidly bonded while others remain flexible. The bonding is applied locally at specific intermediate regions rather than uniformly throughout the bundle. This local quality approach allows the bundle to have both flexible portions for navigation and rigid portions for structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stress prevention.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ends of the fibers are accurately assembled and bonded to maintain image integrity, then image transfer quality is improved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary actions by first forming the flexible regions with individual fiber flexibility, then later bonding the intermediate regions to create rigid sections. The ends of the fibers are accurately positioned and bonded in a controlled manner after the flexible regions are established. This sequence of preliminary actions simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining the required manufacturing precision for image integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process is segmented into distinct stages: forming flexible regions, positioning intermediate regions, and bonding ends. By dividing the complex assembly into manageable segments, the process becomes less time-consuming and simpler while still achieving accurate fiber end positioning required for high-quality image transfer.
3Strength
If rigid intermediate regions are incorporated to protect and direct fibers, then fiber protection is improved, but the bundle loses flexibility in those regions
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber bundle is divided into discrete rigid intermediate regions and flexible regions. The rigid regions are created by laterally bonding specific portions of fibers together, providing protection and structural support where needed. The flexible regions between these bonded segments maintain individual fiber flexibility, allowing the bundle to navigate irregular paths. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both protection and flexibility in appropriate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigid protective regions are applied locally at specific intermediate positions along the fiber bundle rather than throughout the entire length. This allows the bundle to have strengthened, protected sections where fibers need support and direction, while maintaining flexibility in other sections required for navigation through irregularly shaped paths.
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 method allows for the creation of optical fiber bundles that are partially flexible, reducing stress on the fibers and improving the assembly process by ensuring accurate positioning and bonding of the ends and intermediate regions, enhancing the integrity and resolution of the image transfer.
Implementation Method 1
bonding selected portions to form ends and intermediate regions, and then cutting and stacking these regions to create a fiber bundle with distinct input and output ends, while incorporating at least one rigid intermediate section by bonding fiber portions along intermediate regions, using curable agents like epoxy or heat-sensitive materials to secure the bonds
Implementation Method 2
using curable agents like epoxy or heat-sensitive materials to secure the bonds
Data Source
AI summary
A of fabricating a partially flexible optical fiber bundle includes forming plural helical fiber ribbons, each helical ribbon being formed by winding a fiber about a mandrel and adjacently fusing a first selected set of fiber portions within each ribbon to define and ends region. The ends regions of multiple fiber helixes are stacked and bonded to form a fiber bundle with and ends section. The ends section is cut through to yield opposed input and output ends of the fiber bundle. Intermediate rigid sections are formed along the length of the bundle by various alternative methods of adjacently bonding selected portions of the constituent ribbon and bundle fibers.