Ferrule Guide Pin Segmentation for Lens Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ferrule connectors face misalignment issues due to mismatched pitches between guide pin holes in the ferrule body and lens plate, leading to deformation and potential misalignment of fiber holes and lens parts.
Innovation Solution
The ferrule design includes body-side and plate-side guide holes with specific diameters and positioning parts that allow guide pins to fit precisely, enabling the lens plate to be positioned perpendicular to the ferrule body, even when pitches do not match, thereby preventing misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If guide pins are inserted into guide pin holes of ferrule body and lens plate, then positioning between ferrule body and lens plate is achieved, but deformation of ferrule body or lens plate occurs when pitches do not match, causing misalignment between fiber hole and lens part
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin holes are segmented into two types: fitted guide pin holes (with precise pitch matching) and non-fitted guide pin holes (with larger diameter). This segmentation allows the system to achieve both precise positioning and accommodate pitch mismatches without deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different guide pin holes have different local qualities: some are designed with precise fitting dimensions for positioning, while others are designed with larger diameters to avoid deformation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between positioning precision and alignment precision.
2Measurement precision
If fitted guide pin holes are used for precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but pitch mismatches cause deformation and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin hole system is segmented into fitted and non-fitted categories. Fitted holes provide positioning accuracy while non-fitted holes prevent deformation, together ensuring connection reliability despite pitch mismatches.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-fitted guide pin holes act as intermediaries that accommodate pitch mismatches between ferrule body and lens plate, preventing direct transmission of deformation forces that would compromise connection reliability.
3Measurement precision
If all guide pin holes are made with fitted dimensions, then positioning precision is maximized, but pitch mismatches cause deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Guide pin holes are segmented into fitted and non-fitted types, allowing the system to maintain positioning precision through fitted holes while preserving structural stability through non-fitted holes that accommodate pitch variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local qualities are assigned to different guide pin holes: fitted holes for positioning precision and non-fitted holes for structural stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between positioning precision and structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A ferrule includes: a ferrule body including a first body-side guide hole into which a first guide pin is inserted, a second body-side guide hole into which a second guide pin is inserted, and an optical fiber holder that holds an optical fiber; and a lens plate including a first plate-side guide hole into which the first guide pin is inserted, a second plate-side guide hole into which the second guide pin is inserted, a lens part, and an abutment surface that an end face of the optical fiber abuts. The first guide pin fits the first body-side guide hole and the first plate-side guide hole. The second guide pin fits one of the second body-side guide hole or the second plate-side guide hole.