Fusion Splicer Arc Sequencing for Hollow Core Fiber Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusion splicers struggle to efficiently fuse unique optical fibers like hollow core fibers and photonic bandgap fibers without damaging their internal structures or reducing fusion strength.
Innovation Solution
A fusion splicer with three or more electrodes and a control unit that applies voltage to specific electrode combinations for controlled arcs, allowing sequential changes in discharge patterns to selectively heat the outer peripheries of optical fibers, avoiding excessive heating of the center parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If three electrodes are used to form a uniform heating zone, then the entire optical fiber can be heated uniformly, but the center parts of the optical fiber may be excessively heated and the fine air layers may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into multiple sequential stages, with each stage activating a different combination of electrodes. This divides the continuous heating process into discrete segments that can be controlled independently, allowing the outer periphery to be heated first while preventing excessive heating of the center.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are activated in periodic sequences rather than continuously simultaneously. The control unit switches between different electrode combinations in a periodic manner, creating alternating heating patterns that prioritize outer periphery heating while allowing cooling periods for the center region.
2Productivity
If high-frequency voltage is applied to all three electrodes simultaneously, then arcs are generated between all electrodes, but the arc shifts in extremely short time making controlled heating difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying voltage to all three electrodes simultaneously, the voltage application is segmented into specific combinations of two electrodes at a time. The control unit selectively activates pairs of electrodes in sequence, which stabilizes the arc position and makes the heating process more controllable while maintaining high heating efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the heating temperature is reduced to prevent internal structure melting, then the fine air layers are preserved, but the outer periphery would not melt sufficiently decreasing fusion strength
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process applies different temperature levels to different regions of the optical fiber. The outer periphery receives higher temperature heating to ensure sufficient melting and fusion strength, while the center region with fine air layers receives lower temperature heating to prevent structure damage. This spatial differentiation of heating intensity resolves the contradiction between fusion strength and internal structure preservation.
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 ensures efficient fusion of unique optical fibers by preventing melting of internal structures while maintaining connection strength, reducing light leakage, and minimizing misalignment effects.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of electrodes are disposed and the optical fibers are disposed being butted together between the pair of electrodes so that the optical fibers can be fused together by generating an arc between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the voltage applied to the electrodes is a high-frequency voltage of 22 kHz, for example, and thus a period of time in which the arc is generated between each pair of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Three electrodes are circumferentially arranged at substantially equal intervals (about 120°) on the outer periphery of a hollow core fiber in a fusion section where the tip sections of optical fibers are butted and fused. When viewed from the axial direction of the hollow core fiber, the center of a triangle connecting the tips of the electrodes and the cross-sectional center of the hollow core fiber substantially coincide with each other. A control unit applies a voltage between the electrodes of a prescribed combination for a preset period of time, and is capable of sequentially changing the combination of the electrodes for each period of time.