Ferrule-less Fiber Optic Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic connectors without ferrules face challenges in efficient and precise alignment and fixation of optical fibers, leading to potential misalignment and reduced reliability in optical connections.
Innovation Solution
A ferrule-less fiber optic connector design featuring a fiber fixation component that securely anchors the optical fiber within a main connector body, using adhesive fixation and a buckling region to manage excess fiber length, ensuring precise positioning and alignment during connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a ferrule-less fiber optic connector is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the alignment precision and fixation reliability of optical fibers deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the optical fiber within the connector body using a fixation component before the actual connection is made. The fiber is anchored and aligned in advance, ensuring precise positioning is achieved without requiring complex alignment mechanisms during operation. This allows the connector to maintain simplicity while achieving high alignment precision through pre-prepared fiber positioning structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If a ferrule-less fiber optic connector is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of optical connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fixation component that serves as a mediator between the optical fiber and the connector body. This component provides reliable mechanical anchoring and positioning of the fiber without requiring complex assembly procedures. The intermediary element ensures consistent fiber placement and secure fixation, thereby maintaining high connection reliability while keeping the manufacturing process simple and straightforward.
3Device complexity
If excess fiber length is not managed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision and connection reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing excess fiber length through a dedicated fiber management structure. The connector includes features that extract or remove the unnecessary portion of the fiber, preventing it from interfering with the alignment and connection process. This ensures that only the required fiber length remains, maintaining precise positioning and reliable connections without adding significant complexity to the overall device.
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 enables efficient and reliable assembly of ferrule-less fiber optic connectors, ensuring precise optical alignment and reliable data transmission by securely fixing the optical fiber and managing excess fiber length, thus enhancing the reliability of fiber optic connections.
Implementation Method 1
the optical fiber is adhesively fixed within the fiber fixation component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic cable and a ferrule-less fiber optic connector. The ferrule-less fiber optic connector includes a main connector body including a distal end and a proximal end. The fiber optic connector also includes a fiber fixation component that mounts within the main connector body and that axially fixes a portion of an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable within the main connector body. The optical fiber includes a bare fiber portion that extends distally beyond the fiber fixation component and includes a free-end portion located at the distal end of the main connector body. The free-end portion is not supported by a ferrule. The optical fiber is anchored relative to the fiber fixation component before the fiber fixation component is mounted within the main connector body.