Helical-Fiber Position Detection Rope for 3D Motion and Torsion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber sensors are not modularized, lack reliability as industrial products, and cannot perform torsion measurement or measure three-dimensional displacement of large-scale objects.

Innovation Solution

A distributed position detection rope comprising optical fibers, tensile strength bodies, and sheath materials, with helically wound optical elements on different axes to enable modularization and measure three-dimensional displacement and torsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical fiber sensors are made modularized with helical winding structure, then mass production and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability as industrial productVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber sensor is divided into multiple modular units, each consisting of an optical fiber and a helical winding structure. These modular units can be independently manufactured and assembled, enabling mass production while maintaining reliability. The segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes and quality control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber is nested within the helical winding structure, which is itself nested within a protective sheath. This nested configuration integrates multiple functions (sensing, structural support, protection) into a compact modular unit, reducing overall device complexity while enabling industrial production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical fibers are arranged helically on different axes, then measurement of three-dimensional displacement and torsion is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidoptical element arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-axis optical fiber arrangement to multi-axis helical winding configuration. By arranging optical fibers helically on different axes with different winding directions, the system gains the ability to measure three-dimensional displacement and torsion simultaneously, adding measurement dimensions without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The helical winding structure with multiple optical fibers serves multiple measurement functions simultaneously - it can detect bending, torsion, and three-dimensional displacement through a unified structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing elements for each measurement type, thereby limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If optical fibers are physically associated with target objects for strain measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the system cannot measure torsion or three-dimensional displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrain measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement scope
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The helical winding structure introduces dynamic response characteristics that enable the sensor to detect not only static strain but also dynamic deformations including torsion and three-dimensional displacement. The helical geometry transforms various types of mechanical deformation into measurable strain patterns in the optical fiber, expanding the measurement scope while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 accurate measurement of three-dimensional displacement and torsion in large-scale objects through modularized optical fiber sensors, facilitating mass production and improved sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

basic optical elements each including an optical fiber for measuring a physical quantity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

using frequency change or phase change of Brillouin scattering or Rayleigh scattering which is backscatter light of a pulse laser beam entering the optical fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrillouin scattering: Brillouin Scattering

Implementation Method 3

using frequency change or phase change of Brillouin scattering or Rayleigh scattering which is backscatter light of a pulse laser beam entering the optical fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRayleigh scattering: Rayleigh Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4230954B1Distributed position detection rope and distributed position detection system
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 NEUBREX
  • EP4230954B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4230954B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4230954B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A distributed position detection rope (100, 101) includes: basic optical elements (5) each including an optical fiber (1), tensile strength bodies (2), and a sheath material (3) and the tensile strength bodies (2); a cylindrical inner sheath layer (8b) having a first optical element (5a) formed by arranging a plurality of the basic optical elements (5) which are arranged at positions on the same circle and are helically wound at a predetermined pitch along the axial direction of the axis; and a cylindrical outer sheath layer (9) on the outer side of the inner sheath layer (8b) and having a second optical element (5b) which are arranged at positions on the same circle and are helically wound along the axial direction so as to have a placement angle different from that of the basic optical elements (5) of the first optical element (5a).