Connector-Equipped Multicore Fiber Cable for Automatic Core Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting multicore optical fibers requires managing which core in one fiber cable propagates light to match with the corresponding core in another fiber cable, making the connection process complicated.
Innovation Solution
The connector-attached optical fiber cable features a multicore optical fiber with rotationally asymmetric core arrangements and specific connector orientations that align end surfaces in a manner that simplifies core matching without needing to manage individual core connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional optical connectors are used with multicore optical fibers, then connection between fibers is achieved, but the connection process becomes complicated due to the need to manage which core propagates light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the core arrangement rotationally asymmetric about the central axis of the multicore optical fiber. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with specific connector orientations, creates a unique geometric signature that automatically identifies core positions during connection, eliminating the need for complex core-by-core management while maintaining reliable optical coupling.
2Manufacturing precision
If core positions are manually matched during connection, then accurate optical coupling is achieved, but the connection time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the core positions in a rotationally asymmetric arrangement and pre-setting the connector orientations to specific angles. This pre-establishment of geometric relationships means that when connectors are brought together, the core alignment is automatically achieved without requiring real-time manual adjustment or measurement, thus maintaining high precision while reducing connection time.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A connector-equipped optical fiber cable (1) comprises a multicore optical fiber (31), a first optical connector (3) that is attached to a first end of the multicore optical fiber, and a second optical connector (4) that is attached to a second end of the multicore optical fiber. An arrangement from a first core to an Nth core is rotationally asymmetrical about the center axis of the multicore optical fiber (31) in a cross section perpendicular to the center axis. The first optical connector (3) and the second optical connector (4) are a type of optical connector that is connected to an optical connector to be connected to in a state of alignment of the upward direction thereof with that of the optical connector to be connected to. When connection end surfaces of the first optical connector (3) and the second optical connector (4) are viewed with the upward directions of the connectors aligned, the arrangement from the first core to the Nth core in the connection end surface of the second optical connector (4) is the arrangement obtained by inverting the arrangement from the first core to the Nth core in the connection end surface of the first optical connector (3) about a center axis line (A3) of the connection end surface that is along the direction in which the upward directions are aligned.