Fusion Splicing Device Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusion splicing devices face inefficiencies in aligning protection sleeves with fusion splice points and heaters, leading to potential misalignment and reduced optical fiber strength due to manual alignment methods that require multiple steps and temporary movement of spliced fibers.
Innovation Solution
A fusion splicing device with a coating clamp part, glass clamp part, wind protector cover, and an aligning part that allows for efficient alignment of the protection sleeve by clamping optical fibers, removing them while aligning fingertips to half the length of the protection sleeve, and sliding the sleeve onto the splice point, ensuring accurate alignment with the heater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment methods are used to align protection sleeve with fusion splice point and heater, then alignment can be achieved, but operation time increases and alignment precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the protection sleeve on the optical fiber before fusion splicing. The sleeve is placed on the fiber in advance, and its position is predetermined relative to the fusion splice point. After splicing, the sleeve automatically aligns with the splice point and heater without requiring manual intervention, thus reducing operation time while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment mark or reference feature on the protection sleeve that facilitates automatic alignment. This intermediary element serves as a mediator between the protection sleeve, fusion splice point, and heater, enabling precise alignment without time-consuming manual adjustments.
2Reliability
If protection sleeve is placed after fusion splicing, then alignment can be performed, but optical fiber strength decreases due to coating removal exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The protection sleeve is placed on the optical fiber in advance before the coating is removed and before fusion splicing. This preliminary placement ensures that when the coating is removed, the exposed glass portion is already positioned within the protection sleeve's coverage area. After splicing, the sleeve remains in place, automatically protecting the splice point without requiring additional alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation into distinct phases: first placing the protection sleeve on the coating portion, then removing coating to expose glass, then performing fusion splicing. This segmentation ensures that the protection sleeve is already in position to cover the exposed glass portion, maintaining fiber strength while simplifying subsequent alignment operations.
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 method enables efficient and accurate alignment of protection sleeves with fusion splice points and heaters, enhancing the strength and reliability of optical fiber connections by minimizing misalignment and simplifying the operation process.
Implementation Method 1
heating the protection sleeve with a heater (heating part) of the fusion splicer
Implementation Method 2
heating the protection sleeve with a heater (heating part) of the fusion splicer, and reinforcing the fusion splice point
Data Source
AI summary
A fusion splicing device is disclosed that includes a connector that fusion splices a pair of optical fibers and a glass clamp that clamps a glass part that has been removed of a coating of the optical fiber, where the glass clamp is provided at an outer side of the connector. The fusion splicing device further includes a coating clamp that clamps at least a part of the coating of the optical fiber and is provided at an outer side of the glass clamp. The fusion splicing device also includes a wind protector cover that covers the connector, the glass clamp, and the coating clamp. Additionally, the fusion splicing device includes a heater that heats a protection sleeve covered on a fusion splice point of the optical fibers that have been fusion spliced with the connector and an aligner that aligns fingertips holding the optical fiber.