Optical Fiber Connector Guide Ferrule Bush Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical fiber connectors face issues with adhesion failure between the ferrule and optical fiber due to frequent movement, leading to bending and disconnection, especially when the ferrule is supported by an elastic member, and the use of thermal contraction sleeves causes adhesive transformation and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber connector design featuring a guide ferrule bush installed between the ferrule and elastic member, with a reinforcing sleeve formed from a single thermal contraction tube having a thermal bonding layer, allowing for hot peeling and preventing ferrule bending, and enabling assembly at a construction site without pre-peeling the ferrule optical fiber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the ferrule is elastically supported by an elastic member to allow movement within a range, then the connector can accommodate alignment adjustments, but the adhesion state between the ferrule body and ferrule optical fiber deteriorates due to frequent movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadhesion state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide ferrule bush is introduced as an intermediary component between the ferrule and the elastic member. This bush guides the ferrule's movement while reducing direct contact and friction between the ferrule body and the elastic member, thereby maintaining adhesion integrity during alignment adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ferrule assembly is segmented into multiple components: the ferrule body, the guide ferrule bush, and the elastic member. This segmentation allows the ferrule to move independently within the bush while the bush provides structural support and reduces stress concentration on the adhesion joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the ferrule moves frequently within the permitted range, then alignment flexibility is improved, but the ferrule optical fiber bends and disconnects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment flexibilityVSAvoidfiber connection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guide ferrule bush acts as a mediator that provides a smooth guiding surface for ferrule movement. This reduces friction and prevents abrupt movements that could cause fiber bending or disconnection, while still allowing necessary alignment adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bush provides a cushioning effect by distributing mechanical stresses during ferrule movement. This prevents sudden shocks from reaching the fiber connection point, thereby protecting against fiber bending and disconnection before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If thermal contraction sleeves are used to reinforce the fusion splice part, then connection strength is improved, but adhesive transformation occurs and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective reinforcing structure that eliminates the need for expensive thermal contraction sleeves. The design uses readily available materials and simplified assembly processes, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate connection strength for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex thermal contraction sleeve reinforcement process is extracted and replaced with a simpler reinforcing structure. This removes the problematic adhesive transformation step while still providing necessary mechanical strength to the fusion splice area through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution prevents adhesion failures, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the efficiency and durability of optical fiber connections by allowing hot peeling and minimizing ferrule bending, while simplifying the assembly process at construction sites.

Implementation Method 1

a reinforcing sleeve 5 reinforcing the fusion splice part of an end of the ferrule optical fiber and an end of the main optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP2592451B1Optical fibre connector and an assembly method for the same

Publication Date: 2018.04.04 PARK(KR)

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector whereby an operator can easily couple optical fibers on site, and to an assembly method for the same. More specifically the invention relates to: an optical fiber connector wherein a guide ferrule bush is provided between a ferrule and a coil spring so as to be able to solve a problem whereby a ferrule optical fiber between a ferrule body and a reinforcing sleeve is bent, and a problem whereby contact between the ferrule body and the ferrule optical fiber is broken due to frequent movement, when the ferrule moves within a range of movement provided for by a resilient member due to the resilient member; and to an assembly method for the same.