Expanded Beam Test Probe for Fiber Optic Connectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical connector testing requires physical contact and specialized tools, making the process cumbersome and prone to errors due to precise dimensional requirements and the need for springs and adapters, especially in multi-cavity connectors.
Innovation Solution
The development of an expanded beam (EB) test probe that eliminates the need for springs and special adapters by using non-contact beam collimation and a built-in actuator for toolless connection and disconnection, allowing for relaxed alignment tolerances and simplified installation and removal processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical contact (PC) is used to facilitate optical signal transmission, then optical coupling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for springs, alignment sleeves, and special adapters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based optical coupling system with an expanded beam optical system. Instead of using springs and physical contact between fiber endfaces, the invention uses an optical element (lens) to expand the beam and enable non-contact optical coupling through air space, eliminating the mechanical components while maintaining optical signal transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the spring component from the connector system. By using expanded beam optics with relaxed alignment tolerances, the invention eliminates the need for springs that were previously required to maintain physical contact between mating connectors, simplifying the overall structure
2Reliability
If spring-loaded mating force is used to achieve physical contact, then optical signal transmission is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for specialized insertion and removal tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spring-loaded mechanical mating system with an expanded beam optical system that does not require spring activation. The optical element creates a divergent beam that can couple signals through air space without requiring physical contact or spring force, allowing connectors to be mated and unmated using standard connector interfaces without specialized tools
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the connector interface universal by eliminating the need for spring-specific activation mechanisms. The expanded beam connector can be mated and unmated using the same standard connector interface for both insertion and removal, without requiring different specialized tools for each operation
3Reliability
If precise dimensional requirements are imposed on insertion and removal tools, then terminus engagement reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for careful tool selection and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the specialized insertion and removal tools from the system. By using expanded beam optics with relaxed alignment tolerances, the invention allows standard connector interfaces to be used for both insertion and removal operations, removing the need for precision-matched specialized tools and their associated color-coding systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal connector interface that handles both insertion and removal functions without requiring different specialized tools. The expanded beam optical system maintains reliable terminus engagement while allowing the same connector interface to be used for both mating and unmating operations
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple special adapters are used for different connector sizes, then adaptability to various connector types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal expanded beam connector interface that can accommodate different connector sizes and types through a single adapter design. The optical element and relaxed alignment tolerances allow the same basic connector structure to work across multiple connector configurations, eliminating the need for multiple size-specific adapters
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 EB test probe simplifies the testing process by enabling non-contact optical coupling and eliminating the need for specialized tools, allowing for efficient testing of DUTs both before and after installation, and in various configurations, including internal and external to a connector.
Implementation Method 1
these termini makes use of an optical lens to expand and collimate the beam for a non-contacting transfer of the optical signal through the air space at the mating interface
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic connector test probe for testing a device under test (DUT) having at least one DUT terminus, said test probe comprising (a) a cable having first and second ends, (b) a connector to which said first end is terminated, said connector adapted for connection to a light transmitter or receiver, and (c) a test terminus to which said second end is terminated, said test terminus being one of a pin terminus or a socket terminus, said test terminus comprising an optical element to expand/focus said light such that said test terminus is an expanded beam connector, wherein said first or second termini are configured to mate with said DUT terminus.