WO1999039551A1 - Coupeur portatif pour faisceau de fibres optiques en plastique - Google Patents

Coupeur portatif pour faisceau de fibres optiques en plastique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999039551A1
WO1999039551A1 PCT/US1999/002001 US9902001W WO9939551A1 WO 1999039551 A1 WO1999039551 A1 WO 1999039551A1 US 9902001 W US9902001 W US 9902001W WO 9939551 A1 WO9939551 A1 WO 9939551A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blade
optical fiber
fiber bundle
cutting
cutter
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/002001
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kyle Lucas
Michael To
Rick Founds
Original Assignee
Remote Source Lighting International, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. filed Critical Remote Source Lighting International, Inc.
Publication of WO1999039551A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999039551A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/25—Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting

Definitions

  • This invention relates to cutting plastic optical fibers and, more specifically, to cutting bundles of cladded plastic optical fibers.
  • Plastic optical fibers are becoming prevalent in more and more applications, from automotive indicators to industrial lighting.
  • the plastic optical fibers are often supplied in bundles containing a plurality of fibers to transmit more light.
  • bundled fibers offer the advantage of mechanical flexibility compared to a single fiber with the same cumulative cross-sectional area. The mechanical flexibility is often desirable in many applications. For example, bundled plastic optical fibers may be routed in tight access areas that would be prohibitive for an equivalent single fiber cable.
  • efficient transmission of light to the plastic optical fiber reduces the amount of light that is converted into heat energy.
  • the generation of heat may require additional cooling to the fibers to avoid premature failure of the fibers.
  • An important aspect of optimizing light transfer from the light source to the plastic optical fiber is cutting or otherwise severing the end of the fiber normal to the optical fiber axis.
  • the end of the fiber should also be optically clean for efficient light coupling into the fiber.
  • the prior art discloses devices for preparing an end of a single optical fiber.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,046,252 to Ayuta entitled "Cutter For Optical Fibers” discloses a hand held pivoting cutter that slices the end of an optical fiber with a razor blade. It is known in the art that the useful blade life is typical two to ten cuts.
  • the Ayuta device comprises a means for laterally moving the blade.
  • the lateral movement of the blade permits the user to quickly use an unused section of the blade edge to cut the fiber, thus reducing the need to change blades.
  • the Ayuta discloses using the device for only a single fiber at a time.
  • the prior art also discloses in U.S. Patent No. 5,351,333 to Chambers entitled "Optical Fiber Cleaver" a blade/spring mechanism for cutting the end of a single optical fiber. The spring mechanism permits the fiber to be cut with a preset force, presumably to insure predictable cuts. As with Ayuta, Chambers does not address cutting bundles of fibers.
  • the end preparation process is complicated for bundles. To further optimize light transfer, the severed ends of the fibers in the bundle should be in the same plane and not staggered. Additionally, individually cutting the fibers in a bundle is extremely time consuming.
  • the prior art does disclose using a heated blade for cutting bundled plastic optical fibers. Heating the blade may result in a cleaner cut.
  • One method is to heat the blade using resistive heating.
  • the resistive type device requires a source for electricity. In some locations, such as construction projects, an electrical energy source may not be readily available.
  • the prior art also discloses heating a blade with a torch, and holding the blade with a pair of pliers to cut the fiber bundle. The torch/blade method has the unfortunate result of producing low quality ends as the control of the heat is essentially non-existent.
  • the plastic optical fibers may be cladded with a material such as a fluoropolymer. Uncontrolled heated blades may cause the cladding to melt and smear across the fiber end surface.
  • the now optically dirty end acts as resistance to the photon energy which is converted into heat energy, the disadvantages of which are described above.
  • a hand-held plastic optical fiber bundle cutter is used for cutting the ends of plastic optical fibers in a bundle without smearing plastic cladding over newly cut ends of the fibers.
  • the cutter comprises a blade, a blade mount, a hand-held heating unit, and a connection means.
  • the blade has a cutting edge and a first and second surface.
  • the blade mount holds the blade in place such that a majority the blade first surface is in thermal contact with the blade mount and that at least a portion of the blade sharp edge extends beyond a leading edge of the blade mount.
  • the hand-held heating unit has an adjustable heat output control.
  • the connection means functionally connects the blade mount to the heating unit, thereby enabling a user of the cutter to hold the heating unit and cut the ends of the fibers with the blade.
  • the blade mount comprises a base and a blade holder.
  • the base has a top surface designed to be in contact with a first surface of the blade and a front face that extends from the leading edge, wherein the front face and the top surface define an acute angle.
  • the blade holder comprises a bottom surface that faces the base top surface and is designed to be in contact with a second surface of the blade and a front face that does not extend beyond the base front face, wherein the blade holder is removable attached to the base.
  • connection means comprises a threaded rod extending from a back surface of the base and a threaded hole in an end of the heating unit adapted for receiving the threaded rod.
  • the blade is TEFLON coated.
  • the heating unit may be a torch type heating unit, an electrically resistive type heating unit, or a microwave type heating unit.
  • the blade mount is comprised of brass, steel, or anodized aluminum.
  • a process for cutting an optical fiber bundle comprises the steps of providing a hand-held plastic optical fiber bundle cutter as previously described. Then the heating unit to heat the blade mount and the blade is turned on. The end of the optical fiber bundle is sliced off with the heated blade sharp edge to form a substantially flat end that is normal to an axis of the optical fiber bundle, wherein the heated blade is at an acute angle to the optical fiber bundle normal.
  • a process for cutting an optical fiber bundle comprises the steps of softening a portion of the optical fiber bundle by heating the optical fiber bundle and cutting the optical fiber bundle.
  • the optical fiber bundle portion may be heated with a heated thermal mass that is in the proximity of the optical fiber bundle portion.
  • the optical fiber bundle is cut using a blade.
  • the blade may or may not be attached to the thermal mass.
  • the blade may be statically or fixed attached to the thermal mass.
  • the blade may be moveably attached to the thermal mass with the blade being either directly attached or indirectly attached.
  • the blade may maintain a blade temperature range such that the blade does not significantly melt the optical fiber bundle.
  • Significant melting of the optical fiber bundle may result in the cut not being optically clean, i.e. significantly melting the cladding may result in the melted cladding smearing onto the cut optical fibers surfaces.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a blade mount and blade for cutting plastic optical fibers according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a portable plastic optical fiber bundle cutter according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG 3 is a detail view of the blade mount shown in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a harness assembly;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plastic optical fiber bundle installed in a harness assembly and prior to cutting the ends off of the plastic optical fiber bundle;
  • Figure 6 is a side view of the plastic optical fiber bundle being cut while in the harness assembly.
  • a blade mount 10 and blade 12 is used in conjunction with a hand-held heating unit (see FIG. 1 ).
  • the heated blade mount 10 is a thermal mass that radiates heat to the fibers, causing the fibers to soften.
  • the thermal mass of the blade mount 10 also keeps the blade 12 at a temperature such that the cutting action of the blade is improved but the blade does not significantly, if at all, melt the fibers or any cladding on the fibers.
  • the blade 12 is heated such that the blade softens the cladded plastic optical fibers to enable a smooth cut without melting or significantly melting either the cladding or the optical fiber. Significantly melting the cladding may result in the cladding smearing over the newly cut ends of the fibers and reducing the light transmission efficiency of the fibers.
  • the mount 10 also functions as a heat sink to continuous deliver heat to the blade 12 without the expected temperature variations in the blase that would accompany heating an item relatively minimal mass.
  • the mount 10 holds the blade 12, with the mount in the shown embodiment of the invention comprising a base 14, a blade holder 16, and a threaded rod 18.
  • the base 14 and the blade holder 16 are comprised of brass.
  • Other embodiments of the invention may use any other heat conducting material, such as steel or anodized aluminum.
  • the base is of a generally rectangular shape with a leading edge 20 from which extends a top surface 22 and a front face 24.
  • the top surface and front face define an acute angle 26.
  • the top surface 22 terminates at an end face 28.
  • the top surface 22, the front face 24, and the end face 28 are generally flat.
  • the blade holder 16 of the mount 10 comprises a bottom surface 30, a front face 32, and a top surface 34.
  • the bottom surface 30 is mounted to the top surface 22 of the base 14.
  • the bottom surface 30 has generally similar dimensions compared to the base top surface 24 except that the blade holder front face 32 does not extend to the base leading edge 20.
  • the blade holder 16 bottom surface 30 and top surface 34 oppose each other.
  • the blade holder 16 and the base 14 are removably attached by screws 36 extending through the blade holder top surface 34.
  • Other embodiments of the invention may have other means for securing the base 12 to the blade holder 16, such as clamps, wing bolts, friction devices, and other equivalent arrangements.
  • the base top surface 22 and the blade holder bottom surface 30 are configured to hold the blade 12.
  • the mounted blade 12 comprises a cutting edge 38 that extends parallel to the base leading edge 20.
  • the cutting edge 38 also extends beyond the base leading edge 20.
  • the blade 12 is positioned by guides 40 that extend from the base top surface 22.
  • the guides 40 complement notches 42 in side edges 44 of the blade 12.
  • the guides 40 in the shown embodiment are rods that extend perpendicularly from the base top surface 22.
  • Other embodiments of the invention may have other arrangements for positioning the blade 12.
  • the blade 12 may be coated with TEFLON brand plastic.
  • the threaded rod 18 extends from the base 14.
  • the threaded rod 18 is used for functionally connecting the blade mount 10 to a hand held heating unit. More specifically, the threaded rod 18 is screwed into a hole in the hand held heating unit.
  • Other embodiments of the invention may have others means for connecting the blade mount 10 to the heating unit, such as multiple threaded rods, pins, clamps, and any other equivalent arrangement.
  • the blade mount 12 is removably attached to the heating unit.
  • Other embodiments may have the blade mount be permanently attached.
  • a portable plastic optical fiber bundle cutter 100 comprises a blade mount 110, a blade 112, a blade adapter assembly 146, and a portable, hand-held heating unit 148.
  • the blade mount 110 has a leading edge 120 from which extends a blade resting area 122.
  • the blade resting area 122 terminates in a raised lip 123 that extends across the width of the blade mount 110 and parallel to the leading edge 120.
  • the distance between the leading edge 120 and the raised lip 123 is such that when the blade 112 is disposed on the blade resting area 122 with a blade back edge 139 abutting the lip 123, the blade cutting edge 138 extends beyond the base leading edge 120.
  • a flexible blade spring 116 secures the blade 112 to the base 114.
  • the blade spring 116 holds the blade 112 under spring loaded compression.
  • the blade spring 116 extends across the width of the base 114 and has a leading lip 117 that holds the blade 112 to the blade resting area 112.
  • the blade spring 116 is secured to the base 114 with a screw 136 that extends through the spring and into the base.
  • a washer 137 is also used between the head of the screw 136 and the spring 116.
  • Figure 3 discloses details of the blade mount 110.
  • a blade mount adapter 146 functionally connects the blade mount 110 to the hand held heating unit 148.
  • the shown heating unit 148 is powered by propane, but any suitable combustible fluid maybe used to power the unit.
  • the heating unit 148 is a torch sold under the trade mark MASTER APPLIANCE ULTRATORCH MODEL UT-lOOSi by Master Appliances Corporation of the United States. Other embodiments of the invention may use other torches.
  • the heating unit 148 has a heat adjustment
  • FIG. 7 mechanism for controlling the thermal output of the unit.
  • Other embodiments of the invention may have an electrically resistive type heating unit or a microwave type heating unit.
  • a harness assembly 200 and a harness assembly protector ring 202 is used to secure and cut an optical fiber bundle 204.
  • the ring 202 is preferably of metal.
  • the harness assembly 200 is comprised of a harness nut 206, a compression ring 208, and a harness 210. When assembled, the harness assembly holds the fiber bundle 204 in place by the components compressing and holding the bundle.
  • the process for cutting the optical fiber bundle is as follows:
  • the harness 210 is not completely filled with the installation fiber 204, you will need to add filler fiber 216 to completely fill the harness 210. Make sure that the filler fiber 216 is long enough to extend 1-2 inches beyond the harness end 212 as well as completely through the entire length of the harness 210, the compression ring 208 and the harness nut 206. This is necessary to allow the light energy to
  • the fiber ends 205 are terminated by cutting along the surface 203 of the metal harness protector 202.
  • the metal harness protector 202 serves as a cutting guide and prevents the plastic harness 210 from melting during the cutting of the fibers 204.
  • the light emitted from the ends of the filler fiber 205 is very intense and can cause fire if dark colored combustible materials are inclose proximity. It is suggested that these fibers be wrapped with white electrical tape, or capped with white end seals. It is important that no more than 15 fibers at a time be wrapped together in white electrical tape or no more that 20 fibers are capped with a white end seal. If more fibers are bundles together, the light energy transmitted through the fiber will cause these materials to melt resulting in a possible fire hazard.
  • a process for cutting an optical fiber bundle comprises the steps of softening a portion of the optical fiber bundle by heating the optical fiber bundle and cutting the optical fiber bundle.
  • the optical fiber bundle portion may be heated with a heated thermal mass that is in the proximity of the optical fiber bundle portion.
  • the optical fiber bundle is cut using a blade. Embodiment of the invention may or may not have the blade attached to the
  • Embodiments of the invention may have the blade statically or fixed attached to the thermal mass. Embodiments of the invention may have the blade moveably attached to the thermal mass with the blade being either directly attached or indirectly attached. Embodiments of the invention may have blade maintaining a blade temperature range such that the blade does not significantly melt the optical fiber bundle. Significant melting of the optical fiber bundle may result in the cut not being optically clean, i.e. significantly melting the cladding may result in the melted cladding smearing onto the cut optical fibers surfaces.
  • a thermal mass without a disposal blade is used to cut the optical fiber bundle.
  • the thermal mass comprises a leading edge from which extends a top surface and a bottom surface. The leading edge is preferable linear.
  • the top surface and the bottom surface define an acute angle in the vicinity of the leading edge.
  • the thermal mass may comprise brass, steel, anodized aluminum or some other suitable material.
  • Embodiments of the invention may warm and soften the optical fiber bundle through radiation from a thermal mass, radiation from a electrical resistivity element, convention, molecular excitation (i.e., microwave), or any other suitable thermal energy transfer method.
  • Embodiments of the invention may have the blade be movably attached to the thermal mass, with the blade either being directly or indirectly attached to the thermal mass. Further embodiments of the invention may have the blade and the thermal mass be unattached.
  • An embodiment of the invention may have the thermal mass remain static compared to the optical fiber bundle during the cutting process.
  • a further embodiment of the invention may have a thermal mass with an opening, such as a toroid, with the fiber bundle extending into or through the opening.
  • the thermal mass remains static with a cutting element cuts the optical fiber bundle.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un coupeur à main (100) pour faisceaux de fibres optiques en plastique permettant de couper les extrémités des fibres optiques d'un faisceau sans faire baver le revêtement plastique sur les extrémités de fibres fraîchement coupées. Le coupeur comporte une lame (112), une monture de lame (110), une unité manuelle de réchauffage (148) et un connecteur (146). La lame se définit par un bord de coupe (138) ainsi qu'une première et une seconde surface (114, 122). La monture de lame maintient la lame en place de façon que la majorité de la première surface de la lame soie en contact thermique avec la monture de lame et qu'une partie au moins du tranchant de la lame dépasse le bord d'introduction de la monture. Le connecteur assure la connexion fonctionnelle de la monture de lame avec l'unité de réchauffage, ce qui permet à l'utilisateur du coupeur de tenir l'unité de réchauffage tout en coupant les extrémités des fibres avec la lame.
PCT/US1999/002001 1998-01-29 1999-01-29 Coupeur portatif pour faisceau de fibres optiques en plastique WO1999039551A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US7330898P 1998-01-29 1998-01-29
US60/073,308 1998-01-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999039551A1 true WO1999039551A1 (fr) 1999-08-05

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/002001 WO1999039551A1 (fr) 1998-01-29 1999-01-29 Coupeur portatif pour faisceau de fibres optiques en plastique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1999039551A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003085432A2 (fr) * 2002-04-04 2003-10-16 Photon-X, Inc . Procede de preparation d'une surface terminale pour guides d'ondes optiques polymeres sur des substrats polymeres
CN106597606A (zh) * 2016-12-22 2017-04-26 南开大学 一种温度可控的针对塑料闪烁光纤端面的精细处理装置以及处理方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4984859A (en) * 1987-06-19 1991-01-15 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Optical fiber ribbon end-structure
US5046252A (en) * 1989-04-28 1991-09-10 Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cutter for optical fibers
US5172620A (en) * 1991-08-08 1992-12-22 Alcatel Na Cable Systems, Inc. Monotube optical fiber cable cutter and method of using the same
US5351333A (en) * 1993-09-28 1994-09-27 Chambers Arthur E Optical fiber cleaver
US5531026A (en) * 1995-03-28 1996-07-02 At&T Corp. Stripping tool for armored fiber optic cables

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4984859A (en) * 1987-06-19 1991-01-15 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Optical fiber ribbon end-structure
US5046252A (en) * 1989-04-28 1991-09-10 Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cutter for optical fibers
US5172620A (en) * 1991-08-08 1992-12-22 Alcatel Na Cable Systems, Inc. Monotube optical fiber cable cutter and method of using the same
US5351333A (en) * 1993-09-28 1994-09-27 Chambers Arthur E Optical fiber cleaver
US5531026A (en) * 1995-03-28 1996-07-02 At&T Corp. Stripping tool for armored fiber optic cables

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003085432A2 (fr) * 2002-04-04 2003-10-16 Photon-X, Inc . Procede de preparation d'une surface terminale pour guides d'ondes optiques polymeres sur des substrats polymeres
WO2003085432A3 (fr) * 2002-04-04 2003-11-27 Photon X Inc Procede de preparation d'une surface terminale pour guides d'ondes optiques polymeres sur des substrats polymeres
CN106597606A (zh) * 2016-12-22 2017-04-26 南开大学 一种温度可控的针对塑料闪烁光纤端面的精细处理装置以及处理方法
CN106597606B (zh) * 2016-12-22 2019-03-19 南开大学 一种温度可控的针对塑料闪烁光纤端面的精细处理装置以及处理方法

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