Interferometry Ferrule Inspection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity and weight of optical fibers interfere with accurate geometry inspection of ferrule end faces during interferometry, leading to skewed measurements and potential rejection of satisfactory ferrules.
Innovation Solution
An inspection device with a support flange and separate holding means allows the ferrule to move freely, mitigating lateral stresses by using predetermined receiving means and reference surfaces for precise positioning and orientation, enabling accurate measurement of geometrical parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ferrule is held fixed by rods inserted into guide holes during interferometry inspection, then the ferrule positioning is stable, but the rigidity and weight of optical fibers cause lateral stresses that skew measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the holding function from the measurement reference function. The ferrule is held by jaws that can be gripped or released independently, while the support flange with rods and reference surfaces provides the measurement reference. This segmentation allows the ferrule to be secured without the rods bearing the full weight and lateral stresses of the fiber assembly, thus eliminating measurement skew while maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support flange acts as an intermediary element between the ferrule and the measurement system. The rods on the support flange engage with guide holes on the ferrule to provide rotational indexing and positional reference, but the actual holding force is applied separately by the jaws. This intermediary structure transfers only the necessary geometric reference functions without transmitting harmful lateral stresses to the measurement interface.
2Measurement precision
If separate holding means are used to mitigate lateral stresses, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into integrated components. The support flange combines the rod mechanism for rotational indexing with reference surfaces for measurement, while the jaws provide both holding and release functions. This consolidation achieves the necessary functional separation to eliminate measurement errors without creating excessively complex separate systems, as each component performs multiple related tasks efficiently.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support flange is fixed with respect to the interferometer, then the reference surface position is stable, but the ferrule cannot move freely to relieve lateral stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic control through the movable jaws that can transition between gripped and released states. When released, the ferrule can move freely to relieve lateral stresses from fiber weight and rigidity. When gripped, the ferrule is held stable for measurement. The support flange remains fixed to provide a stable reference surface, while the dynamic jaw mechanism allows the ferrule to assume its natural stress-free position during measurement.
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 solution provides more accurate determination of ferrule geometry parameters, reducing errors caused by fiber rigidity and weight, and allowing simultaneous measurement of end faces and reference surfaces, thus improving inspection reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Device for inspecting, by interferometry, the geometry of an end face of a ferrule
Data Source
AI summary
Device for inspecting by interferometry the geometry of an end face of a ferrule of a multi-fiber optic connector. The device allows the ferrule to be held by a holder of the ferrule, and a supporting plate including a receiving device adopts a position in space that is mainly conditioned by the interaction of the receiving device of the supporting plate with an engagement device provided on the ferrule. The supporting plate includes a reference surface with respect to which is measured by interferometry the geometry of the end face of the ferrule, the position of this reference surface being preset with respect to the orientations of the receiving device.