Optical Connector Ferrule Adhesive Reservoir Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector ferrules face issues with adhesive leakage from the gap between the boot and the insertion opening portion, which can lead to gaps and blockage of guide pin insertion holes, affecting the reliability and performance of multi-core batch connectors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adhesive reservoirs in the form of stepped grooves at the corners of the insertion opening portion's outer edges to capture any leaking adhesive, preventing it from penetrating through the guide pin holes and ensuring proper bonding and alignment of optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is injected into the main body of the ferrule from the adhesive filling window to secure the boot, then the bonding strength is improved, but adhesive may leak out from the gap between the boot and insertion opening portion causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of adhesive leakage by providing adhesive reservoirs that intentionally capture and contain the leaking adhesive. The reservoirs transform the harmful leakage into a controlled storage function, preventing the adhesive from reaching and blocking the guide pin insertion holes while still maintaining the bonding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive reservoirs act as an intermediary structure between the adhesive filling window and the guide pin insertion holes. They serve as a buffer zone that intercepts the adhesive flow, allowing the adhesive to be contained in a controlled manner rather than directly reaching the harmful areas.
2Reliability
If adhesive leaks and hardens in the guide pin insertion holes, then the guide pin holes are blocked, but this affects the positioning and alignment function of the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive reservoirs are positioned to preemptively intercept the adhesive before it can reach the guide pin insertion holes. This preliminary action prevents the adhesive from blocking the holes, thereby maintaining the positioning and alignment functions without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If a gap is generated between the main body of the ferrule and other components due to protruding adhesive, then the assembly precision deteriorates, but this affects the overall connector performance
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive reservoirs convert the potentially harmful protruding adhesive into a beneficial feature by providing a designated storage area. This prevents the adhesive from creating unwanted gaps between components, as the adhesive is contained within the reservoirs rather than protruding into the assembly interface.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Adhesive reservoirs having shapes of stepped grooves are provided at corners in outer edges of an opening of an insertion opening portion having a shape of a rectangular opening of a main body of the ferrule which is formed by consecutively installing the insertion opening portion provided on a rear end side such that a boot having substantially a shape of a square tube and having an optical fiber core wire at a distal end is inserted and supported, and optical fiber core wire insertion holes provided on a front end side such that a side of a distal end portion of the optical fiber core wire is inserted into a deep portion of the insertion opening portion and the distal end portion is exposed outwardly. In this way, an adhesive is prevented from leaking out from a gap between the boot and the insertion opening portion.