Fusion Splicer Jig for Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the heating process in fusion splicing, optical fibers can twist due to misalignment between the heating and clamping directions in existing fusion splicers, leading to increased transmission loss.
Innovation Solution
A jig for a fusion splicer is designed with a plate part facing the heating part and retaining parts to secure the optical fibers along the longitudinal direction, ensuring they are not twisted during heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clamping direction of the heating part is different from the clamping direction of the clamp part, then the heating process can be completed, but the optical fibers are subject to torsion and twist
Solution Approach 1:
A jig is introduced as an intermediary device between the clamp part and the heating part. The jig includes a clamp part that clamps the optical fibers in the longitudinal direction and a heating part that heats the splice point in the lateral direction. This intermediary structure enables independent optimization of clamping and heating directions without causing fiber torsion
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device is segmented into functionally independent components: a clamp part for securing fibers along the longitudinal axis and a heating part for applying heat laterally. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with the other, preventing torsion while enabling effective heating
2Productivity
If the clamp part and heating part have different clamping directions, then the heating can be performed, but transmission loss increases due to fiber twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The jig serves as a mediator that decouples the clamping function from the heating function. By introducing this intermediate structure, the system achieves both efficient heating and maintained fiber alignment, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Separating the clamping and heating functions into distinct spatial directions within the jig structure allows simultaneous optimization of heating efficiency and transmission quality. The longitudinal clamping and lateral heating operate independently, preventing the trade-off between productivity and reliability
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
The jig effectively prevents optical fibers from twisting, minimizing transmission loss by aligning and stabilizing the fibers during the heating process.
Implementation Method 1
a heater including a heating part configured to heat the object to be heated
Data Source
AI summary
A jig for a fusion splicer mountable on a heater of the fusion splicer includes: a plate part configured to face a heating part of the heater; a first retainer, configured to face a first clamp of the fusion splicer that is disposed outside of the heating part along a longitudinal direction of an object to be heated, and further configured to retain a first member extending from a first end of the object along the longitudinal direction; and a second retainer, configured to face a second clamp disposed on a side of the heating part opposite to the first clamp along the longitudinal direction, and further configured to retain a second member extending from a second end of the object along the longitudinal direction.