Fiber Optic Ferrule Alignment Pin Passageway with Segmented Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fiber optic communication systems, achieving consistent physical contact between multi-fiber ferrules is challenging due to rotational stiffness issues, which affect the alignment of optical fibers and lead to signal loss.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a ferrule body with a tight-fit and loose-fit section in the alignment pin passageway, allowing for rotational flexibility between the alignment pins and the ferrule body, ensuring all fibers maintain optical contact by accommodating variations in fiber slope angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the alignment pin passageway has a tight-fit section throughout, then rotational movement is constrained and alignment precision is improved, but the ferrule cannot accommodate fiber slope angle variations and maintain optical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pin passageway is divided into two distinct sections: a tight-fit section near the contact face that provides rotational constraint and alignment precision, and a loose-fit section toward the rear that allows rotational freedom to accommodate fiber slope angle variations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing different functional characteristics in different zones of the same passageway.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the alignment pin passageway are given different geometric qualities - the tight-fit section has dimensions that closely match the alignment pin to constrain rotation, while the loose-fit section has larger dimensions that permit rotation. This local differentiation of geometric properties allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both precision and adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ferrule body is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but rotational flexibility is reduced and optical contact cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pin passageway structure segments the constraint function from the flexibility function. The tight-fit section provides structural constraint for stability, while the loose-fit section provides the necessary rotational flexibility. This segmentation allows the overall structure to be both stable and flexible without requiring a completely different design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pin passageway transitions from a static, uniformly tight design to a dynamic design where the fit varies along the length of the passageway. The loose-fit section enables the alignment pin to rotate slightly to accommodate variations in fiber slope angles, providing adaptive functionality while the tight-fit section maintains overall structural stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment pins are held rigidly by ferrules, then alignment precision is improved, but rotational stiffness increases and prevents all fibers from making contact
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pin passageway is segmented into tight-fit and loose-fit sections, allowing the alignment pin to have both precise positioning (via the tight-fit section) and rotational capability (via the loose-fit section). This enables all fibers to make contact while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the alignment pin passageway are changed along its length - the cross-sectional dimensions transition from tight to loose, and the fit characteristics change accordingly. This parameter variation allows the system to achieve both precise alignment and reliable optical contact by permitting the necessary rotational movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-optic connector ferrule body (10) that includes a depth that extends from a front end (12) to a rear end (14) of the ferrule. The ferrule includes a contact face (16) at the front end of the ferrule. The contact face includes a major dimension that extends along a major axis (X) defined by the contact face and a minor dimension that extends along a minor axis (Y) defined by the contact face. The major and minor axes are perpendicular to one another. The ferrule also defines alignment pin receivers (18) that extend rearwardly from the front end of the ferrule. The alignment pin receivers have tight-fit sections (26) that extend into the ferrule body from the contact face and flex sections (28) that extend from the first transverse cross-sectional shape to the rear end. The first and second transverse cross-sectional profiles define a degree of rotational flexibility between alignment pins (24) received in the alignment pin receivers (18) and the ferrule body (10).