Optical Fiber Winding Method Preventing Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manufacturing methods for optical fiber bundles are inefficient in producing bundles of varying lengths without depending on the circumferential length of the winding member, leading to entanglement issues and increased time and labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A method where the optical fiber is skewed relative to the circumferential direction and shifted in the width direction during each rotation of the winding member, with a reverse shift in the N-th rotation to intersect with previously skewed fibers, allowing the fiber to be wound around the member without entanglement, enabling the production of bundles longer than the winding member's circumference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the optical fiber is wound around the winding member using conventional linear winding method, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the fiber becomes entangled and cannot produce bundles longer than the winding member's circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a width direction dimension to the traditional circumferential winding. The optical fiber is shifted in the width direction of the circumferential surface during winding, transforming the single-dimensional circumferential winding into a two-dimensional winding path that combines circumferential and width directions, thereby preventing entanglement and enabling longer fiber bundles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the winding process dynamic by continuously shifting the fiber position in the width direction during each rotation. This dynamic positioning changes the winding pattern from static concentric circles to a spiral-like pattern that distributes fibers more evenly and prevents entanglement.
2Length of moving object
If the winding member's circumference is increased to produce longer fiber bundles, then longer bundles can be produced, but new winding members must be manufactured increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the winding parameters (shifting distance in width direction, rotation speed, winding tension) to achieve longer fiber bundle lengths without changing the physical dimensions of the winding member. This allows the same winding member to produce variable length bundles by adjusting process parameters rather than hardware specifications.
3Productivity
If conventional winding methods are used, then manufacturing process is straightforward, but production time and labor costs increase for varying length requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous winding operation without stopping or reconfiguring the winding member for different bundle lengths. The shifting mechanism operates continuously during winding, allowing uninterrupted production of fiber bundles of various lengths, thereby reducing idle time and increasing overall manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
While a winding member is making one rotation, an optical fiber is once skewed relative to the circumferential direction and further shifted by a desired length in the width direction of a circumferential surface. In this state, the winding member winds up the optical fiber. This operation is performed in the same direction every rotation when the winding member rotates (N−1) times. Next, in the N-th rotation of the winding member, a guide member performs the guide to the optical fiber to skew reversely to the direction of shifting in the (N−1) rotations of the winding member.