Optical Fibre Rotational Alignment for Low-Loss Splicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusion splicers lack the capability to accurately align optical fibers with non-rotationally symmetric structures, leading to increased optical propagation loss due to structural discontinuities at the splice.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for positioning optical fibers that allows for rotational alignment of fibers relative to their holders, using a supporting base and a rotatable clamp to adjust the fiber's rotational position while maintaining longitudinal and transverse stability, facilitated by an optical fiber holder and a clamp that immobilizes the fiber for transverse and longitudinal movements but allows rotational adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fusion splicers are used for optical fibres with non-rotationally symmetric structures, then the splicing process is simple and quick, but the alignment precision of internal structural features deteriorates leading to increased optical propagation loss
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the optical fibre, enabling dynamic adjustment of the fibre's rotational position. This allows the internal structural features to be aligned with the splicer's reference axis, improving alignment precision and reducing optical propagation loss while maintaining the simplicity of the splicing process.
2Measurement precision
If manual rotational adjustment is performed for aligning asymmetric fibre structures, then alignment precision improves, but the splicing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-aligns the optical fibre by providing a rotatable clamp assembly that can be adjusted to match the splicer's reference axis before the actual splicing process begins. This preliminary rotational alignment ensures that internal structural features are properly oriented, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments during splicing and maintaining high alignment precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fibre is firmly clamped for longitudinal and transverse stability, then positioning accuracy improves, but rotational adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed with rotational capability about the longitudinal axis while maintaining firm clamping force for longitudinal and transverse stability. This dynamic design allows the fibre to be securely positioned in terms of location while still enabling rotational adjustment to achieve proper alignment of internal structural features, thus maintaining both positioning accuracy and rotational adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprising a base and a region for receiving an optical fibre holder that is immobilised with respect to the base. The optical fibre holder comprises a clip operable between an open position in which an optical fibre is moveable with respect to the optical fibre holder and a closed position in which the optical fibre is immobilised with respect to the optical fibre holder for longitudinal, rotational, and transverse movement. The device also comprises a clamp rotatably mounted on the base to enable rotation about an axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of a held optical fibre. The clamp is for clamping a held optical fibre and is operable between an unclamped position, and a clamped position in which the optical fibre is immobilised with respect to the base for longitudinal and transverse movement of the optical fibre but rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the optical fibre.