Wireless Fusion Splicer Setup for Mixed Optical Fiber Types

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fibers of different types require specific fusion conditions for optimal splicing, which can be challenging to set correctly, leading to transmission loss issues and difficulty in joining fibers of varying kinds.

Innovation Solution

A fusion splicer system that includes a communication unit for wireless connection with an external terminal, allowing acquisition of fusion condition information and setting suitable parameters for splicing, along with a lock unit to prevent unauthorized use and theft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If workers manually set fusion conditions for different types of optical fibers, then fusion splicing can be performed, but the operation becomes complex and requires deep knowledge and experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different optical fiber typesVSAvoidease of setting fusion conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fusion splicer automatically detects the optical fiber type and self-configures the appropriate fusion conditions without requiring manual intervention. The device serves itself by reading fiber information from the external terminal and automatically setting parameters such as arc discharge intensity, discharge time, and fiber positioning, thereby eliminating the need for workers to have deep knowledge of fusion parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and configuration of fusion conditions before the actual fusion splicing operation. By acquiring fiber type information in advance from the external terminal and pre-setting the appropriate parameters, the system prepares everything needed for successful splicing before the user initiates the process, making the operation simpler and more reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If suitable fusion conditions are not set correctly, then fusion splicing can still be performed, but transmission loss exceeds permissible range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefusion splicing operationVSAvoidtransmission loss within permissible range
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback loop where fusion condition parameters are automatically adjusted based on detected optical fiber characteristics. The fusion splicer receives information about the fiber type from the external terminal, uses this feedback to determine the optimal fusion conditions, and applies these settings to ensure transmission loss remains within permissible ranges, thereby guaranteeing reliable splicing results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes fusion parameters such as arc discharge intensity, discharge time, and fiber positioning based on the detected optical fiber type. By automatically adjusting these parameters to match the specific fiber characteristics, the system ensures optimal fusion conditions are always applied, preventing excessive transmission loss and maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameter combinations are available in fusion splicer, then various optical fibers can be spliced, but setting suitable conditions becomes difficult without deep knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to splice various optical fibersVSAvoidnumber of parameter combinations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fusion splicer is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of optical fibers through a single device. By integrating an external terminal that stores information about different fiber types and automatically selecting the appropriate parameters, the system provides multi-functionality without requiring the user to understand or manually configure multiple parameter sets, thus simplifying operation while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The external terminal acts as an intermediary between the diverse types of optical fibers and the fusion splicer. It stores and manages information about various fiber types and their corresponding optimal fusion conditions, then automatically transmits the appropriate parameter settings to the splicer based on the detected fiber type, thereby mediating the complexity of multiple parameter combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables easy and suitable fusion splicing of optical fibers by acquiring and setting optimal conditions, preventing unauthorized use, and managing the splicer effectively.

Implementation Method 1

arc discharging is caused by a pair of discharging electrodes, and tips of the optical fibers are fusion spliced to each other through the arc discharging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc discharging: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentEP3730980B1Fusion connection method
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC OPTIFRONTIER CO LTD
  • EP3730980B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730980B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730980B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fusion splicer is disclosed. The fusion splicer includes a fusion splicing unit that fusion splices of optical fibers, a communication unit that communicates through wireless connection with an external terminal, and a setting unit that sets a fusion condition of the fusion splicing unit. The communication unit acquires information related to the fusion condition of the fusion splicing unit from the external terminal. The setting unit sets the fusion condition of the fusion splicing unit based on the acquired information related to the fusion condition. The fusion splicing unit fusion splices in accordance with the fusion condition set by the setting unit.