Optical Fiber Unit Hexagonal Head Cable Routing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In existing optical fiber units, the optical fiber cable extends in a direction that is not parallel to the sides of the optical fiber holder, making it susceptible to damage when a jig is used for grasping, as the jig's tip can come into contact with the cable, leading to incomplete engagement and secure grasping issues.

Innovation Solution

The optical fiber unit design features a shaft with a male thread and a hexagonal prism head where the optical fiber cable extends through a corner between two sides, allowing it to exit parallel to the sides of the head, minimizing the likelihood of contact with the jig and enabling secure grasping without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the optical fiber cable extends in a direction not parallel to the sides of the optical fiber holder, then the cable can be easily routed, but the jig can come into contact with the cable and damage it during grasping operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routingVSAvoidcable damage from jig contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the optical fiber cable to extend from a specific side of the hexagonal holder in an asymmetric configuration. The cable exits through one of the six sides at a location that creates natural clearance from the jig's path during grasping operations, transforming the symmetric hexagonal shape into an asymmetric functional layout that avoids contact hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the jig is pushed in deeply to engage with the optical fiber holder for secure grasping, then the grasping stability improves, but the jig tip can contact and damage the optical fiber cable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrasping stabilityVSAvoidcable damage from jig contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a localized safe zone by positioning the cable exit point in a specific region of the hexagonal holder that is远离 from the jig's engagement path. This local quality differentiation ensures that while the jig can be deeply engaged for stable grasping, the cable remains in a protected zone where contact is avoided.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the optical fiber cable extends parallel to the sides of the hexagonal head, then the jig can be engaged deeply without contacting the cable, but the cable routing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidcable routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space within the hexagonal holder by routing the cable through the interior volume and exiting through a strategically positioned side. This dimensional approach allows the cable to extend parallel to the sides for safety while managing the routing path through the internal structure, transforming a potentially complex external routing problem into a managed internal pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2851719B1Optical fiber unit for optical fiber sensor
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 OMRON CORP
  • EP2851719B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2851719B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2851719B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An optical fiber unit for an optical fiber sensor enables its secure grasping with a jig while avoiding damage to an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber unit for an optical fiber sensor includes an optical fiber cable, a shaft, and a head. The shaft includes a peripheral surface having a male thread, and a through-hole in which the optical fiber cable is inserted. The head is shaped in a hexagonal prism including six sides and a bottom. The shaft is connected to the bottom of the head. The optical fiber cable extends inside the head, and extends out of the head in a direction substantially parallel to two parallel sides of the six sides from at least one of the six sides other than the two parallel sides.