Pre-Bent Optical Fiber Connections for Faster Switchover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical fiber switchover process in optical communication networks results in prolonged communication disruption due to cutting and fusion splicing, which interrupts service during equipment replacement.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for connecting optical fibers by exposing and bending the cladding, cutting the curved portion to align on a straight line, and connecting the end faces of the optical fibers before fusion splicing, allowing communication to resume during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusion splicing is performed to connect optical fibers, then connection reliability is improved, but communication interruption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is bent into a curved shape before cutting, and the curved portion is positioned in advance. This preliminary bending action allows the fiber to be cut and reconnected without requiring complex alignment procedures during the actual connection process, thereby reducing communication interruption time while maintaining connection reliability through the controlled curved configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is transformed from a straight static configuration to a dynamically bent curved shape. This dynamic shaping allows the fiber to accommodate cutting and reconnection operations more efficiently, enabling faster switchover while preserving connection integrity through the flexible curved form
2Productivity
If optical fiber cutting and fusion splicing are performed during equipment replacement, then equipment switchover is completed, but service disruption duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is pre-bent into a curved configuration before the cutting operation. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent cutting and reconnection steps, allowing equipment switchover to proceed faster while minimizing service disruption through the streamlined process enabled by the pre-positioned curved fiber
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
Significantly reduces the duration of communication disruption by enabling immediate resumption of service after cutting and before complete fusion splicing, shortening the downtime to three minutes from the conventional six minutes.
Implementation Method 1
a surface of an exposed cladding of the first optical fiber is scratched to cut the curved portion of the first optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to shorten the amount of time communication stops in an optical fiber switchover work.The present disclosure is a device and method for connecting optical fibers, the method connecting two optical fibers in which claddings at tips thereof are exposed, and comprising: bending a cladding of a first optical fiber; arranging a cladding of a second optical fiber on a straight line when the cladding of the first optical fiber is arranged linearly, in such a manner that an end of the cladding of the second optical fiber faces the first optical fiber; cutting the curved portion of the first optical fiber to arrange the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber on the straight line; and connecting an end face of the cladding of the first optical fiber and an end face of the cladding of the second optical fiber.