Ferrule-Core Concentricity Measurement via Rotational Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber connectors face challenges in accurately measuring the concentricity of the fiber core with respect to the ferrule, which affects insertion loss and alignment, especially with stringent requirements for single-mode fibers at telecommunications wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a movable ferrule holder, a light source, distance sensor, and core sensor to measure the concentricity by rotating the sensors about an axis aligned with the optical fiber core, allowing for precise calculation of the true center of the ferrule and the distance between the fiber core and the ferrule center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used for core-ferrule concentricity, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy are insufficient to meet stringent requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a movable ferrule holder for positioning, a light source for illumination, a distance sensor for ferrule surface measurement, and a core sensor for fiber core detection. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex measurement task to be divided into manageable components that can be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable support member as an intermediary mechanism that holds both the distance sensor and core sensor. This intermediary allows simultaneous rotation of both sensors about an axis aligned with the optical fiber core, enabling coordinated measurement of ferrule outer surface and core position without requiring separate measurement setups, thus improving precision while managing complexity.
2Reliability
If a simple holder is used for the ferrule, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement accuracy and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule holder is designed as a movable and adjustable mechanism rather than a fixed simple holder. It can be positioned and adjusted to hold the ferrule in precise orientations, and the rotatable support member can rotate the sensors to multiple angular positions. This dynamic capability ensures reliable measurements from various positions while maintaining measurement accuracy, justifying the increased complexity.
3Measurement precision
If static sensors are used for measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and data accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable support member implements periodic action by rotating the distance sensor and core sensor together about an axis aligned with the optical fiber core. This rotation allows the sensors to periodically sample the ferrule outer surface and core position at multiple angular positions (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°). The periodic sampling provides multiple data points that can be processed to calculate the true center of the ferrule and the concentricity with high precision, justifying the added rotational mechanism complexity.
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
Enables fast and accurate measurement of core-ferrule concentricity, improving alignment and reducing insertion loss by determining the radial offset between optical fibers, thus enhancing the efficiency of light transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to be optically coupled to the optical fiber and emit light that travels through the optical fiber core
Implementation Method 2
a core sensor arranged to receive and detect light emitted from the core of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
a distance sensor arranged to measure a ferrule distance to the ferrule outer surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.