Optical-Electrical Connector Ferrule Alignment via Pre-Compressed Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical-electrical connectors for SFP interfaces lack a simple configuration with a resilient member to consistently provide alignment between the ferrule and lens member for low-loss optical coupling, relying on complex designs or absent resilient forces.
Innovation Solution
An optical-electrical connector with a housing, circuit board, lens member, ferrule, and a resilient member where the spring is permanently compressed between the base wall and ferrule, providing an invariable forward resilient force for reliable alignment of the ferrule with the lens member, ensuring consistent optical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coiled spring is used to provide resilient force to the ferrule, then the ferrule can be pressed against the lens member for alignment, but the spring would be compressed into different lengths for providing different resilient forces in the mating process, resulting in variable alignment force
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is pre-compressed to a predetermined length during assembly, establishing a fixed initial compression state. This preliminary action ensures that the resilient force remains consistent during the mating process, as the spring is not subjected to variable compression like in traditional designs where the spring compresses further during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the compression parameter of the resilient member from variable (in traditional designs) to fixed (in this invention). By controlling the compression length to be predetermined and consistent, the resilient force parameter remains stable, providing reliable alignment force throughout the connector's operational life.
2Reliability
If a package and cover are added to secure the spring to the ferrule, then the spring can be held in place, but the connector configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the spring retention function into the existing ferrule structure by providing a retention groove directly on the ferrule body. This eliminates the need for separate package and cover components that were previously required to secure the spring, thereby reducing overall connector complexity while maintaining reliable spring positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (package and cover) from the connector design. By removing these extra parts and integrating the retention function directly into the ferrule, the design achieves simplicity without compromising the reliability of spring positioning.
3Device complexity
If no resilient member is provided, then the connector configuration remains simple, but reliable alignment between ferrule and lens member cannot be ensured for low loss optical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing a resilient member specifically at the critical alignment interface between the ferrule and lens member, while keeping the rest of the connector structure simple. The resilient force is localized to where it is most needed - at the contact point ensuring proper alignment - without adding complexity to other parts of the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is designed to automatically provide the necessary alignment force without requiring external adjustment or additional components. The spring self-regulates the contact force between ferrule and lens member, ensuring reliable optical coupling through its inherent elastic properties, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving reliability.
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 solution ensures reliable alignment of optical channels for low-loss optical communication by maintaining an invariable resilient force, simplifying the connector configuration and enhancing mating stability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member... permanently maintained an invariable compressed state between the base wall and the resisting face of the ferrule to provide an invariable forward resilient force to the ferrule
Data Source
AI summary
An optical-electrical connector (100) includes a housing (11), a circuit board (3) received in the housing and having a transducer for bidirectional optical-electrical signal conversion, a lens member (42) mounted on the circuit board, a ferrule (43) receiving a number of optical channels and having a resisting face (431), a supporting portion (51) having a base wall (511), and a resilient member. The ferrule is situated behind the lens member within the housing and aligned with the lens member along a front-to-back direction. The resilient member is permanently maintained an invariable compressed state between the base wall and the resisting face of the ferrule to provide an invariable forward resilient force to the ferrule for fixing the ferrule to the lens member, when the optical-electrical connector is used and unused.