Segmented Fiber Clamp for Stable Low-Force Optical Fiber Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber clamps are complex and cumbersome to use, making them costly and difficult to implement and handle effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fiber clamp design featuring a base plate with adjacent clamping bodies that are pressed together by a tensioning device, allowing easy insertion and removal of fibers, which are then securely clamped between the bodies and the base plate through elastic material properties or a spring element, ensuring reliable and positionally stable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fiber clamp uses multiple V-shaped grooves and projection sections as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,113, then reliable and positionally stable mounting of the optical fiber is achieved, but the construction becomes complex and handling becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is divided into multiple identical clamping elements (at least two) that are arranged adjacently and act in parallel on the fiber. Each element has a simple curved clamping surface, and together they provide stable positioning without requiring complex interlocking V-shaped sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex complementary V-shaped groove and projection section structure from the design. Instead, it uses simple curved clamping surfaces on the clamping elements that directly contact the fiber, removing the need for intricate interlocking geometries while maintaining clamping reliability.
2Reliability
If a fiber clamp uses complementary V-shaped groove and projection sections, then secure clamping is achieved, but handling becomes cumbersome and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp uses multiple independent clamping elements that can be actuated together as a group. This segmentation allows the fiber to be inserted by separating the elements slightly, then automatically clamped when the elements return to their original position, simplifying the insertion and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping action is self-actuating through the tensioning device that automatically restores the clamping elements to their clamping position after fiber insertion. The system performs the clamping action itself without requiring manual adjustment or complex operational steps, making handling easier.
3Reliability
If a fiber clamp uses multiple cylindrical bodies or hold-down devices as described in DE 26 26 907, then fiber clamping is achieved, but the device becomes more complex and expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple simple clamping elements are merged into a single integrated clamp body structure. The clamping elements are arranged adjacently on the base plate and work together as a unified system, providing reliable fiber clamping while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the clamping surfaces from complex V-shaped profiles to simple curved surfaces. This parameter change simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective fiber contact and clamping, as the curved surfaces naturally conform to the cylindrical fiber shape.
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 design results in a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-use fiber clamp that provides secure and low-force clamping, suitable for various fiber diameters, with minimal adverse effects on the fiber, such as refraction in glass fibers.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two adjacent clamping bodies (3, 4) are pressed towards one another in one direction via a tensioning device (5) which is formed only in the base plate (2) or both in the base plate (2) and the clamping bodies (3, 4), so that a fiber (6)... can be clamped
Implementation Method 2
The clamping bodies are pressed towards one another in one direction via a tensioning device which is formed only in the base plate or both in the base plate and the clamping bodies
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fiber clamp with a base plate and at least two clamping bodies arranged parallel to one another on the base plate, the clamping bodies being pressed towards one another in one direction by means of a tensioning device, so that a fiber that can be arranged between the base plate and the clamping bodies is between the base plate and the clamping bodies can be pinched.