Modular Optical Probe Ferrule Protection Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical couplings in coordinate measuring machines have limited durability and precision, leading to frequent failures due to contamination and damage, necessitating frequent changes of optical sensor elements, which results in a short service life and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular protection unit with magnetic elements and a sliding mechanism is integrated into the optical probe to protect the ferrule from dust and contamination, automatically switching between blocked and unblocked positions during mounting and dismounting, ensuring reliable optical signal transmission and extending the lifespan of the couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If optical fibres with plug-in couplings are used for signal transmission, then optical signal transmission with low losses is achieved, but the service life is limited to 500-1000 plug-in cycles due to sensitivity to contamination and damage
Solution Approach 1:
A protection cap is provided that can be placed on the ferrule before plugging occurs to prevent contamination. The coupling mechanism includes preliminary protective actions that prevent damage before it occurs, extending the service life beyond the conventional 500-1000 cycles limitation
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent changing of sensor elements is performed to measure complex objects, then measurement versatility is improved, but the service life of optical couplings decreases due to frequent plug-in cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cap is designed to be easily attachable and detachable, allowing frequent sensor element changes for different measurement tasks while maintaining coupling integrity. The preliminary protective measure enables versatility without sacrificing coupling lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into separable components (protection cap, ferrule, connector body) that can be independently managed. This allows the protection cap to be repeatedly attached/detached for different measurements while the main coupling remains intact
3Ease of repair
If plug-in couplings are opened for servicing, then maintenance is performed, but contamination and damage occur requiring cleaning of optical fiber surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cap prevents contamination before servicing is needed. By maintaining protection during storage and non-use periods, the coupling requires less frequent opening for cleaning, reducing exposure to contamination during maintenance operations
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
The protection unit effectively prevents contamination, reduces the need for frequent sensor element changes, and enhances the robustness and precision of optical couplings, matching the durability of mechanical and electrical coupling elements, thereby extending the service life and improving measurement reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The dust protection unit comprises a first magnetic element which is structurally connected to the protection element, a second magnetic element which is moveably arranged along an actuation axis. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are arranged relative to each other and cooperate with each other so that a lateral displacement of the protection element depends on a position of the second magnetic element along the actuation axis.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
Protection unit (82,92) for an optical probe ferrule (24,47,48,73) of an optical measuring probe of a coordinate measuring machine, the probe ferrule (24,47,48,73) being adapted and arranged to bi-directionally transmit optical signals from and to the measuring probe, wherein the protection unit (82,92) provides for dust-protection of the optical probe ferrule (24,47,48,73) of the measuring probe in an un-mounted state of the measuring probe and is designed so that and is modularly attachable to the measuring probe of the coordinate measuring machine so that the probe ferrule (24,47,48,73) - in the un-mounted state - is protectable against contamination, and transmission of the optical signals by means of the probe ferrule (24,47,48,73) - in a mounted state - is provideable by the protection element (83,93) being positioned in an open-position so that the path is unblocked and the protection unit (82,93) comprises a displacement mechanism which provides automatic displacement of the protection element (83,93) from the block-position into the open-position in the course of mounting of the optical probe.