Optical Fiber Cutting System with Position Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical fiber cutting systems waste blade members due to movement errors when changing the blade position, leading to inefficient use of the cutting edge.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber cutting system with a disk-shaped blade member that moves between clamps, featuring a position-measuring sensor and calculator to accurately track the blade's position and contact length, allowing for optimal usage without waste by rotating and adjusting the blade's position to maintain cutting performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blade member position is changed manually or automatically, then the cutting performance can be maintained, but movement errors occur leading to waste of the blade member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidblade member waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a position measuring sensor that detects the actual position of the blade member and feeds this information back to a calculator. The calculator compares the measured position with the target position and generates correction instructions to eliminate movement errors, thereby preventing blade waste while maintaining cutting performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual or simple automatic positioning mechanisms with a precision measurement and control system. The position measuring sensor and calculator form an automated feedback control loop that substitutes for imprecise mechanical positioning methods, enabling accurate blade positioning without waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the blade member position is changed frequently, then cutting performance is maintained, but the complexity of the positioning system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain cutting performance by only making necessary position adjustments based on actual blade condition and position measurements, rather than frequent predetermined changes. This reduces the overall complexity compared to systems requiring complex multi-position change mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors blade position as a parameter and makes adjustments only when necessary based on measured values and cutting performance requirements. This dynamic parameter-based approach simplifies the positioning system compared to fixed frequent adjustment schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the blade member position is not changed, then the system is simple, but the blade becomes worn and cutting performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning system complexityVSAvoidcutting performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The position measuring sensor and calculator form a feedback system that monitors blade position and wear indicators, automatically determining when position changes are necessary. This maintains cutting performance without requiring complex preemptive positioning systems, as changes are made only when actually needed based on measured conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of blade position based on measured position data and wear indicators. The calculator automatically generates correction instructions without external intervention, maintaining cutting performance with minimal system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3343256B1Optical fiber cutting system
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 FUJIKURA LTD
  • EP3343256B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3343256B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3343256B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An optical fiber cutting system of the invention includes a pair of clamps disposed at an interval in a longitudinal direction of an optical fiber and configured to grasp the optical fiber, a disk-shaped blade member configured to move so as to pass between the pair of clamps, cause an outer circumferential edge to come into contact with the optical fiber, and thereby scratch a surface of the optical fiber, wherein a position of the outer circumferential edge which is to be in contact with the optical fiber is changeable, a pressing member configured to press-bend a scratched portion of the optical fiber and thereby cut the optical fiber, and an acquirer configured to acquire position information of the outer circumferential edge which is to be in contact with the optical fiber.