Multi-Fiber Fusion Splicing Arc Shaping for Uniform Melting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusion splicers for multi-fiber optical fiber cables face variations in the molten state of optical fibers due to their arrangement direction, with fibers near the electrodes experiencing different melting amounts compared to those farther away.
Innovation Solution
A fusion splicer design that includes conductive members with a potential intermediate to the electrode potentials, positioned to attract the arc discharge and adjust its shape, ensuring uniform molten states across the fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pair of electrodes are disposed at both ends in the arrangement direction of multi-fiber optical fiber cables to generate arc discharge for melting and fusion-splicing, then the multi-fiber optical fiber cables can be collectively fusion-spliced, but the molten state of optical fibers varies depending on the position in the arrangement direction, with fibers near the electrode experiencing larger melting amounts than those far from the electrode
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive member with a potential between the first and second potentials is introduced as an intermediary element between the pair of electrodes. This conductive member attracts the arc discharge generated between the electrodes, thereby adjusting the shape of the arc to make the molten state of optical fibers substantially uniform across different positions in the arrangement direction.
2Reliability
If arc discharge is generated between a pair of electrodes to melt optical fibers, then fusion-splicing can be achieved, but the shape of the arc causes non-uniform melting across fibers at different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive member acts as a mediator that interacts with the arc discharge, attracting and shaping the arc to achieve more uniform energy distribution across all optical fibers, thereby improving splicing quality while maintaining arc shape uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling the potential of the conductive member to be between the first and second potentials of the electrodes, the arc discharge characteristics are modified. This parameter change in electrical potential enables precise control over arc shape and energy distribution, ensuring uniform melting of optical fibers.
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 design reduces variations in the fused state of multi-fiber optical fiber cables by uniformly melting the fibers, enhancing the splicing process.
Implementation Method 1
an arc discharge is generated between the pair of electrodes. Thus, the multi-fiber optical fiber cables are melted and collectively fusion-spliced
Implementation Method 2
a first conductive member having a third potential that is lower than the first potential and higher than the second potential is provided apart from the plurality of pairs of optical fibers in an area between the pair of electrodes... an arc (electric arc) of the arc discharge generated between the pair of electrodes is attracted to the first conductive member
Implementation Method 3
an arc discharge is generated between the pair of electrodes. Thus, the multi-fiber optical fiber cables are melted and collectively fusion-spliced
Data Source
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AI summary
A fusion splicer to fusion-splice a plurality of first optical fibers and a plurality of second optical fibers is disclosed. The fusion splicer includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an optical fiber disposition unit, and a first conductive member. The first electrode and the second electrode each have a distal end, and are disposed so that the distal ends face each other. The first electrode has a first potential, the second electrode has a second potential lower than the first potential, and an arc discharge is generated between the distal ends. The optical fiber disposition unit has a plurality of grooves in which the plurality of first optical fibers and the plurality of second optical fibers are able to be accommodated and which extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first conductive member is provided apart from the plurality of grooves between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first conductive member has a third potential that is lower than the first potential and higher than the second potential, and is disposed at a position at which the shortest distance from one of the first electrode and the second electrode is shorter than the shortest distance from the other of the first electrode and the second electrode in the first direction.