Non-Planar Table for Optical Fiber Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for testing optical fibers are prone to errors due to manual manipulation, which introduces mechanical stress and affects the accuracy of measuring parameters like cutoff wavelength and core diameter, especially in practical environments where fiber length and bends vary.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a light source and detector enclosed within a housing, coupled with a non-planar table that guides the optical fiber in three dimensions, allowing for minimal manual manipulation and consistent measurement of optical fiber parameters by positioning the fiber into standardized configurations using gravity-induced bends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual manipulation is used to position optical fiber in standardized test configurations, then the fiber can be deployed for testing, but mechanical stress is introduced that affects measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fiber deploymentVSAvoidaccuracy of cutoff wavelength and core diameter measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses gravity to automatically position the optical fiber into the required test configuration (U-shape or S-shape) without manual manipulation. The fiber simply needs to be placed on the non-planar table, and gravity does the rest, eliminating mechanical stress from handling while ensuring standardized positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The non-planar table is designed with specific curved surfaces that guide the fiber into predetermined geometric configurations. The curved surfaces create consistent U-shape or S-shape bends with controlled radii, ensuring standardized test setups without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Measurement precision

If the optical fiber is positioned in standardized configurations with controlled bends, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to the non-planar table structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of fiber parameter measurementsVSAvoidcomplexity of test deployment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems (such as robotic manipulators or precision stages) with a simple non-planar table structure. The table's fixed geometric surfaces passively guide the fiber into correct positions, eliminating the need for active mechanical control systems while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-planar table acts as an intermediary element between the fiber and the measurement system. Instead of directly manipulating the fiber or using complex positioning mechanisms, the table's curved surfaces mediate the positioning process, guiding the fiber into standardized configurations through its geometric design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the test system accommodates varying fiber lengths, then versatility improves, but maintaining consistent bend configurations becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to test different fiber lengthsVSAvoidconsistency of bend configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The non-planar table is designed with universal geometric features that work with fibers of any length. The curved surfaces and guiding structures are configured to create consistent U-shape or S-shape bends regardless of the total fiber length, allowing the same table structure to accommodate various fiber specifications without modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach reduces mechanical stress and ensures accurate, consistent measurement of optical fiber parameters, accommodating varying fiber lengths and minimizing manual handling errors, thus improving testing throughput and compliance with standards.

Implementation Method 1

positioning the fiber into standardized configurations using gravity-induced bends

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9389140B1Systems and methods for testing optical fiber

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 PHOTON KINETICS INC

AI summary

Various embodiments of an apparatus for measuring a characteristic parameter of an optical fiber are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for testing an optical fiber comprises: a light source enclosed within a housing and configured to couple to a first end of the optical fiber; a detector enclosed within the housing and configured to couple to a second end of the optical fiber; and a non-planar table defining a curved path, the non-planar table attached to the housing and configured to guide the optical fiber along the curved path in three dimensions. In this way, an optical fiber may be deployed for testing with minimal manual manipulation of the optical fiber.