Fusion Splicer Side Illumination for Precise Fiber Core Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for illuminating the end face of an optical fiber face challenges in accurately specifying core locations due to difficulties in sufficient illumination without increasing the power of the light source.
Innovation Solution
A fusion splicing machine design that includes an optical fiber holder, a rotation mechanism, a bending portion, and a light source arranged near the tip end of the optical fiber, allowing light to be incident from the side, thereby effectively illuminating the end face even with lower power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is irradiated from the side of the optical fiber using vertical illumination, then the entire end face of the optical fiber can be illuminated, but the power of the light source must be increased to achieve sufficient illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination dimension from vertical (perpendicular to end face) to lateral (parallel to end face). The light source is positioned to irradiate light from the side of the optical fiber, and the bending portion creates a curved path that guides light along the fiber surface to the end face, achieving illumination without requiring high power vertical illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The bending portion acts as an intermediary element that guides and redirects light from the lateral position to the end face. By creating a bent configuration, it enables the light to travel along the fiber surface and illuminate the end face effectively without requiring the light source to be positioned directly above or in close proximity to the end face
2Measurement precision
If the light source power is increased to sufficiently illuminate the end face, then core location can be specified accurately, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the illumination approach from vertical to lateral, allowing sufficient illumination and accurate core location specification without increasing light source power or device complexity. The lateral illumination path through the bent configuration achieves the same measurement precision with a simpler, more compact system
3Illumination intensity
If the light source is positioned close to the end face for effective illumination, then illumination intensity improves, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bending portion serves as an intermediary that enables effective illumination without requiring the light source to be positioned close to the end face. It guides light along the fiber surface from a more distant lateral position, achieving sufficient illumination intensity while maintaining a compact device size and reducing overall system complexity
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
Enables precise core location specification with reduced power consumption by ensuring adequate illumination of the optical fiber end face, facilitating accurate alignment and miniaturization of the splicing machine.
Implementation Method 1
a bending portion bending the optical fiber; a light source irradiating the optical fiber bent by the bending portion with light from the side of the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A fusion splicing machine according to one embodiment includes: an optical fiber holder holding the optical fiber in the state of allowing a tip end of the optical fiber to protrude; a rotation mechanism arranged on the opposite side of the tip end of the optical fiber holder and rotating the optical fiber holder around the axis extending along the optical fiber; a bending portion bending the optical fiber; a light source irradiating the optical fiber bent by the bending portion with light from the side of the optical fiber; and a power supply unit supplying power to the light source. The bending portion and the light source are arranged on any of the tip end side of the optical fiber from the optical fiber holder, the optical fiber holder, and the rotation mechanism.