Vacuum Gripper Assembly for Optical Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately grip and translate optical fibers due to their small size and transparent nature, leading to alignment issues during transportation between multiple operations with varying accuracy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic positioning and retention system that includes a fiber retention mechanism and fiber alignment blocks with grooves and apertures, utilizing a vacuum chuck piston to create negative pressure and grip the optical fiber, allowing for precise alignment and translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gripping methods are used for optical fibers, then the system structure is simple, but the alignment precision deteriorates during translation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gripping function into separate components: a V-groove structure for positioning and a vacuum chuck for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system simplicity and achieving precise alignment during translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-groove acts as an intermediary element between the optical fiber and the vacuum chuck. It provides mechanical positioning and alignment guidance, mediating the interaction between the fiber and the vacuum gripping mechanism to ensure precise alignment is maintained during translation.
2Productivity
If the optical fiber is transported between multiple operations, then productivity increases, but alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chuck maintains continuous gripping force throughout the translation process, ensuring the optical fiber remains securely held and aligned from the moment of pickup through transportation between operations, eliminating alignment drift that would occur with conventional intermittent gripping methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces conventional mechanical gripping with a vacuum-based holding mechanism. This substitution allows for smoother, more controlled translation while maintaining constant alignment pressure, enabling efficient transportation between multiple operations without sacrificing alignment accuracy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the optical fiber is held firmly during translation, then alignment stability improves, but the fiber may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The V-groove provides localized mechanical support at specific points along the fiber, while the vacuum chuck applies distributed pressure through the groove. This local quality differentiation allows firm holding for stability while avoiding concentrated stress points that would damage the fiber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the vacuum pressure level to maintain optimal gripping force. By adjusting the vacuum parameter, the system achieves sufficient holding strength for alignment stability while preventing excessive pressure that would damage the fiber, finding the optimal balance point.
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 system enables accurate gripping and translation of optical fibers while maintaining alignment, allowing for precise placement in both horizontal and vertical positions, which is not achievable with conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum chuck piston is operable to produce a negative pressure along a length of the first groove and/or the second groove when the vacuum chuck piston is actuated. The negative pressure may be sufficient to grip the optical fiber.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and systems that can be used to grip and translate an optical fiber. A fiber optic positioning and retention system includes a fiber retention mechanism, a fiber alignment block including a first groove extending along a length of the fiber alignment block and at least one aperture passing through the fiber alignment block to the first groove, and at least one chuck positioned within the at least one aperture. The at least one chuck includes a second groove that is aligned with the first groove. The system further includes a vacuum chuck piston coupled to the at least one chuck. A method includes providing the fiber optic positioning and retention system as described above for gripping an optical fiber.