Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer Heating Control

Solution Overview

Problem

In fusion-splicing devices, the simultaneous performance of electric discharge for fusion and reinforcement heating of a heat-shrinkable resin is challenging due to power limitations, leading to extended reinforcement times and excessive heating, which lowers the reliability of the reinforcement part.

Innovation Solution

An optical-fiber fusion-splicing device with separate heating devices for fusion and reinforcement, controlled by a unit that stops and resumes heating based on interruption times or temperature changes to optimize heating conditions, preventing unnecessary long reinforcement times and excessive heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If discharge-fusion is performed during the reinforcing operation, then power supply capacity is utilized more efficiently, but the reinforcing operation time becomes longer due to heating interruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capacity utilizationVSAvoidreinforcing operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit predicts the temperature during the heating interruption period based on the temperature rise rate measured before the interruption. This preliminary assessment allows the system to prepare appropriate heating conditions for after the interruption, reducing the time needed to resume and complete the reinforcing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the temperature rise rate during heating and uses this feedback to predict the temperature state during interruption. After the interruption, this feedback information guides the adjustment of heating conditions to optimize the remaining heating process and minimize total operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If heating is performed such that the sum of heating times except for interruption time becomes a predetermined time, then the process appears simple, but excessive heating occurs due to residual heat, lowering reinforcement reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating control simplicityVSAvoidreinforcement part reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit predicts the temperature during the heating interruption period based on the temperature rise rate measured before the interruption. This preliminary assessment allows the system to prepare appropriate heating conditions for after the interruption, reducing the time needed to resume and complete the reinforcing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the temperature rise rate during heating and uses this feedback to predict the temperature state during interruption. After the interruption, this feedback information guides the adjustment of heating conditions to optimize the remaining heating process and minimize total operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures high reliability of the reinforcement part while preventing unnecessarily long reinforcement operations and reducing power consumption, enhancing the overall efficiency of the fusion-splicing process.

Implementation Method 1

bringing the end faces of optical fibers into contact with each other and fusing the abutting parts by an electric discharge in a fusion device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

performing reinforcement by heat-shrinking a heat-shrinkable resin covering a fusion-spliced portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS10126503B2Optical-fiber fusion-splicing device

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC OPTIFRONTIER INC

AI summary

This optical-fiber fusion-splicing device includes: a first heating device (12); a second heating device (13); and a CPU (14) which controls the first heating device (12) and the second heating device (13), wherein the CPU (14) stops heating of the second heating device (13) if heating of the first heating device (12) is started during heating in the second heating device (13), and resumes the heating of the second heating device (13) if the heating of the first heating device (12) is ended, and sets a heating condition after resumption of heating in the second heating device (13), based on at least an interruption time of heating or a change in temperature during heating interruption in the second heating device (13).