Cylindrical Multi-Fiber Ferrule with Spherical End Face
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-fiber optical connectors face challenges such as complex operation processes, high manufacturing costs, and complicated wiring forms due to the need for refractive index matching materials and precise control of clearance between guide holes and pins, as well as the expense and complexity of using multicore fibers with cylindrical ferrules.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical multi-fiber ferrule with through holes arranged in a circular pattern, featuring a spherical end face with a predetermined curvature radius and a flat central region, allowing for easy connection of multiple optical fibers using a polishing method that first forms a spherical shape and then a flat surface, eliminating the need for specialized tools and reducing excess loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cylindrical ferrule with multicore fiber is used to collectively connect multiple ports, then connection efficiency is improved, but the cost increases and wiring becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the multicore fiber into multiple single-mode fibers, with each fiber independently connected to the ferrule. This segmentation allows standard single-mode fibers to be used instead of expensive multicore fibers, simplifying the wiring form while maintaining the ability to collectively connect multiple ports through the circular array configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule design with through holes arranged in a circular pattern can accommodate multiple single-mode fibers simultaneously, making it universally applicable for connecting multiple ports. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for specialized multicore fiber connections while achieving the same collective connection purpose
2Reliability
If oblique polishing is applied to improve reflection characteristics, then reflection performance is improved, but manufacturing precision control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different polishing characteristics to different regions of the ferrule end face: the central region where guide holes are located receives oblique polishing to improve reflection characteristics, while the peripheral region maintains a different surface quality. This local differentiation allows optimization of reflection performance in the critical central area without compromising the overall manufacturing precision and clearance control
3Measurement precision
If guide holes and guide pins are used for connection, then alignment is improved, but clearance control becomes difficult and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional cylindrical guide holes with spherical guide holes. The spherical geometry provides self-aligning characteristics that improve alignment accuracy between connector components. The curved surface allows for better tolerance compensation, making clearance control easier during manufacturing while maintaining precise alignment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to enable a plurality of single fibers to be easily and collectively connected.The present disclosure is a cylindrical multi-fiber ferrule including through holes each having a cylindrical shape and configured to hold a plurality of optical fibers on the same circle centered on a central axis of the cylindrical shape, in which a region where the through holes are arranged at one end of the cylindrical shape in a longitudinal direction has a spherical shape, and a central region where the through holes are not arranged at one end of the cylindrical shape in the longitudinal direction is a flat surface shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape.