Compact Optical Connector Structure for Higher Fiber Duct Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The bulkiness of optical connectors prevents increasing the number of optical fibers that can be inserted through a duct while maintaining the same duct size.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector design includes a ferrule, a spring, a spring push, and a housing that allows the ferrule to be accommodated within the housing, with the spring push being larger than the ferrule, enabling more fibers to be inserted by suppressing the size of the connector on the end part of the optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical connector uses a traditional housing structure to accommodate the ferrule and spring, then the connector provides reliable fiber holding and spring function, but the connector size becomes larger than the ferrule, preventing increased fiber density in ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the ferrule inside the housing, and the spring inside the housing, creating a compact nested structure. The ferrule (containing fibers) is inserted into the housing, and the spring is positioned within the housing to bias the ferrule forward, allowing all components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes rather than additive volumes, thus reducing the overall connector size while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using a spring mechanism that allows the ferrule to move dynamically within the housing. The spring biases the ferrule in the forward direction, enabling the ferrule to be pushed forward during insertion and then return to its biased position, creating a dynamic rather than static structure that reduces the required connector size while maintaining reliable fiber holding
2Quantity of substance
If the optical connector size is reduced to fit more fibers in the duct, then fiber density increases, but the connector may not provide sufficient space for reliable spring accommodation and fiber holding
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure allows the ferrule and spring to be accommodated within the housing in a space-efficient manner, reducing the overall connector size to fit more fibers in the duct while maintaining sufficient internal space for reliable spring accommodation and fiber holding functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing precise positioning features and localized support structures within the housing that ensure reliable fiber holding and spring function specifically at the critical interfaces, while other areas of the housing can be minimized in size to reduce overall connector volume
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
This configuration allows for a greater number of optical fibers to be inserted through the duct by minimizing the size of the connector on the end part of the optical fiber, facilitating efficient fiber insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (70) arranged on a rear side of the ferrule (20)... and the ferrule (20) is biased to the front side by the spring (70)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector includes: a ferrule that includes a connection end surface, and a fiber hole into which an optical fiber is configured to be inserted up to the connection end surface; a spring that is disposed on a rear side of the ferrule that is opposite to a front side that is a side on which the connection end surface is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the fiber hole; a spring push that sandwiches the spring with the ferrule and through which the optical fiber is inserted in the longitudinal direction; and a housing that accommodates the ferrule and the spring and that is engaged with the spring push such that the ferrule is biased to the front side by the spring. The optical fiber is configured to be inserted into and removed from the spring push.