Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer Electrode Rod Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical fiber fusion-splicers, repeated electrical discharges cause wear on electrode rods, leading to increased costs and reduced service life, as the pointed ends wear out, and increasing the electrode rod diameter to delay wear increases costs further.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber fusion-splicer incorporates a pair of electrode rod units with a main heat dissipation member protruding from the outer circumference of the electrode rod, which is in contact with the electrode rod over its entire circumference between the pointed end and the mounting base, reducing heat generation and wear, and optionally includes an auxiliary heat dissipation member for enhanced cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the diameter of the electrode rod is increased to delay wear, then the service life of the electrode rod is prolonged, but the cost of the electrode rod increases
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipation member is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrode rod and its mounting base. This heat dissipation member conducts away heat from the electrode rod, reducing thermal wear on the pointed end portion. The heat dissipation member has a thermal conductivity of 1 W/(m·K) or more, and is positioned to extend from the mounting base toward the pointed end of the electrode rod, creating a thermal pathway that protects the electrode rod without requiring an increase in its diameter.
2Productivity
If repeated electrical discharge is performed for fusion splicing, then the fusion splicing function is achieved, but the pointed end of the electrode rod wears out
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generated by repeated electrical discharge, which normally causes wear on the electrode rod, is converted into a beneficial effect by introducing a heat dissipation member. This member actively manages the thermal energy produced during fusion splicing operations, conducting heat away from the electrode rod's pointed end. By doing so, the harmful thermal wear is transformed into a controlled thermal management process that maintains the electrode rod's integrity during repeated use.
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 configuration reduces wear and prolongs the service life of the electrode rods without increasing costs, such as by enlarging the rod diameter, thereby minimizing operational expenses and maintaining splicing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a main heat dissipation member provided to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the electrode rod, each of the mounting bases supports a position closer to a base end side than a pointed end portion of the electrode rod, the main heat dissipation member is provided in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrode rod over the whole circumference between the pointed end portion of the electrode rod and a front surface of the mounting base
Implementation Method 2
An optical fiber fusion-splicer fuses and splices the end faces of optical fibers using the thermal energy of an arc discharge from two electrode rods
Implementation Method 3
each of the electrode rod units includes an electrode rod which fusion-splices the optical fibers by discharge heating
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An optical fiber fusion-splicer of the invention fusion-splices at least a pair of optical fibers. The optical fiber fusion-splicer includes a pair of electrode rod units of which pointed end portions are disposed to face each other with abutting portions of the optical fibers interposed therebetween, and a pair of mounting bases which respectively support the electrode rod units. Each of the electrode rod units includes an electrode rod which fusion-splices the optical fibers by discharge heating, and a main heat dissipation member provided to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the electrode rod. Each of the mounting bases supports a position closer to a base end side than a pointed end portion of the electrode rod. The main heat dissipation member is provided in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrode rod over a circumferential direction between the pointed end portion of the electrode rod and the support position of the electrode rod by the mounting base.