Optical Fiber Holder Segmentation for Splicing Quality

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber holders are cumbersome and time-consuming to use, as they require manual separation and handling of high strength fibers, which can lead to quality issues during fusion splicing due to operator skill variability and risk of fiber damage.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber holder with a holder main body, a cord holding base, and a fiber pressing cover that forms an insertion through hole allowing high strength fibers to be routed internally, reducing operator burden and ensuring no loss of splicing quality by preventing fiber contact with high temperatures or fusion splices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual separation and handling of high strength fibers is used, then the optical fiber holder can hold the coated optical fiber, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handling high strength fibersVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The holder body is divided into multiple functional grooves: a first groove for receiving the coated optical fiber, a second groove for receiving the high strength fibers, and a third groove for receiving the cord jacket. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently without manual separation, resolving the contradiction by automating the positioning process through structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder body acts as an intermediary structure that simultaneously receives and positions the coated optical fiber, high strength fibers, and cord jacket in their respective grooves. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for manual handling by providing predetermined positioning paths for all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual separation of high strength fibers is performed, then the coated optical fiber can be positioned, but the quality depends on operator skill and fibers may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplicing qualityVSAvoidoperator skill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder body is divided into multiple functional grooves: a first groove for receiving the coated optical fiber, a second groove for receiving the high strength fibers, and a third groove for receiving the cord jacket. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently without manual separation, resolving the contradiction by automating the positioning process through structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder body is pre-configured with multiple grooves that automatically guide and position the coated optical fiber, high strength fibers, and cord jacket in their correct positions during insertion. This preliminary structural preparation eliminates the need for skilled manual operation, ensuring consistent positioning quality regardless of operator skill level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If high strength fibers are separated and routed backward through side portions, then the coated optical fiber can be held, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidholder structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder body is divided into multiple functional grooves: a first groove for receiving the coated optical fiber, a second groove for receiving the high strength fibers, and a third groove for receiving the cord jacket. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently without manual separation, resolving the contradiction by automating the positioning process through structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder body integrates multiple receiving grooves for the coated optical fiber, high strength fibers, and cord jacket into a single unified structure. This merging of multiple functions into one device simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for separate handling steps, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8861920B2Optical fiber holder and method for holding coated optical fiber

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

An optical fiber holder includes a holder main body and cord receiving groove. The holder main body has a fiber receiving groove and a first cord receiving groove. The fiber receiving groove receives and positions a coated optical fiber of an optical fiber cord with a cord jacket removed at the tip of the optical fiber cord. The cord receiving groove receives the cord jacket. A cord holding cover and a fiber pressing cover 13 are attached to the holder main body 6 for movement between respective open closed positions. The cord holder cover includes a second cord receiving groove that cooperates with the first cord receiving groove to form an insertion through hole having a circular cross-section that allows for insertion of the optical fiber. The fiber pressing cover presses the coated optical fiber against the holder main body with the coated optical fiber in the fiber receiving groove.