Fusion Splicing Apparatus Axial Center Shift Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusion splicing techniques fail to stabilize the spliced state of optical fibers when their axial center is shifted from the virtual straight line joining the discharge electrodes, leading to potential excessive fusion and instability due to inadequate fixation by V-groove blocks and holding units.
Innovation Solution
A fusion splicing apparatus and method that includes V-groove-block and holding-unit moving mechanisms to shift the axial center of optical fibers from the discharge electrodes' straight line, ensuring proper alignment and fixation by moving V-groove blocks and holding units to maintain optical fibers in a straight position between the blocks and holders, thereby stabilizing the spliced state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the axial center of optical fibers is shifted from the virtual straight line joining discharge electrodes to avoid excessive fusion of low-melting-point fibers, then excessive fusion is prevented, but the spliced state becomes unstable due to inadequate fixation by V-groove blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the holding units movable relative to the V-groove blocks, allowing dynamic adjustment of the optical fiber position. The holding units can be shifted in the vertical direction to compensate for the axial center shift, thereby maintaining stable fixation while preventing excessive fusion. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both protection from harmful fusion and maintenance of spliced state stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If only V-groove blocks are moved to shift the axial center of optical fibers, then the axial center shift is achieved, but optical fibers become vertically biased and bent between V-groove blocks and holding units, deteriorating the spliced state
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of V-groove blocks and holding units into a coordinated system. Both components work together to achieve axial center shift while maintaining fiber straightness. The holding units are designed to move in conjunction with V-groove blocks, ensuring that the optical fiber remains properly positioned and straight between these two fixation points, thus preventing deterioration of the spliced state.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding units are made movable to dynamically adjust their position relative to the V-groove blocks. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain optimal fiber positioning during the axial center shift process, preventing vertical bias and bending of the fiber while achieving precise axial center control.
3Temperature
If the axial center of optical fibers is shifted from the discharge electrodes straight line, then discharge temperature distribution is equalized, but the fixation mechanism becomes insufficient without moving holding units
Solution Approach 1:
The holding units are designed to move dynamically in response to the axial center shift requirement. When the V-groove blocks are positioned to achieve uniform temperature distribution, the holding units simultaneously adjust their positions to maintain adequate fixation. This coordinated dynamic movement ensures both optimal temperature distribution and stable fixation are achieved concurrently.
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 solution effectively stabilizes the spliced state of optical fibers by ensuring they remain straight between the V-groove blocks and holders, preventing excessive fusion and ensuring a stable fusion-spliced state, even with low-melting-point fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of discharge electrodes that discharge-heat end faces of a pair of optical fibers and fusion-splice the end faces to each other
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A fusion splicing apparatus includes discharge electrodes 13 and 15 to discharge-heat and fusion-splice end faces 5a and 7a of optical fibers 1 and 3, fiber holders 17 and 19 to hold the optical fibers 1 and 3, V-groove blocks 21 and 23 to receive, position, and fix parts of the optical fibers 1 and 3 on the end face sides of the fiber holders 17 and 19, V-groove-block moving mechanisms 33 and 35 to move the V-groove blocks 21 and 23 so as to shift an axial center of the optical fibers 1 and 3 from a straight line between the discharge electrodes 13 and 15, and holder moving mechanisms 37 and 39 to move the fiber holders 17 and 19 so as to shift the axial center of the optical fibers 1 and 3 from the straight line between the discharge electrodes 13 and 15.