Optical Fiber Holder with Regulating Part for Fusion Splicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber holders struggle to accommodate optical fibers with different outer diameters due to a fixed gap size between the holder and the pressing member, leading to difficulties in securely holding fibers of varying sizes.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber holder with a regulating part on the holder body and a fiber posture correction block on the lid body, allowing for the secure mounting of optical fibers with different diameters by regulating movement and correcting posture, enabling the holder to accommodate a range of fiber sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed gap size is used between the holder body and pressing member, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate optical fibers with different outer diameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different fiber diametersVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is made movable relative to the holder body, allowing the gap size to be dynamically adjusted. The pressing member can be positioned at different locations along the arcuate path, enabling the holder to accommodate optical fibers with various outer diameters while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member is divided into a pressing portion and a regulating portion, with the regulating portion featuring arcuate grooves that guide the pressing member's movement. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while enabling adaptable gap sizing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pressing member is made movable to adjust gap size, then adaptability to different fiber sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of gap sizeVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arcuate grooves on the regulating portion serve as an intermediary mechanism that guides and constrains the pressing member's movement. This groove-based guidance system provides a simple yet effective way to enable adjustable gap size without requiring complex mechanical actuators or control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member's weight and the spring force work together to automatically position the pressing member at the appropriate location along the arcuate path. The system self-regulates the gap size based on the optical fiber's outer diameter, eliminating the need for external adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a regulating part is added to control fiber movement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The regulating portion is merged with the pressing member as an integrated component rather than a separate assembly. The arcuate grooves are directly formed on the pressing member's regulating portion, combining the functions of pressing and regulating into a single component, thereby improving positioning accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3432042B1Optical fiber holder and fusion splicer equipped with optical fiber holder
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC OPTIFRONTIER INC
  • EP3432042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3432042B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical fiber holder for holding an optical fiber includes a holder body part on which a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are mountable, the second optical fiber having a coated part with an outer diameter larger than that of a coated part of the first optical fiber, a lid body which is disposed to be openable and closable with respect to the holder body part, and a fiber posture correction block which is provided on the lid body on a side close to a terminal processing part of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The holder body part includes a first regulating part at an end part thereof on a terminal processing part side, and the first regulating part is configured to regulate movement of a first glass fiber exposed from the first optical fiber and a second glass fiber exposed from the second optical fiber. The fiber posture correction block includes a contact part to be in contact with the second optical fiber at an end part thereof on the terminal processing part side.