Optical Fiber Ferrule Polishing Device with Motor-Driven Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end face polishing devices for optical fiber ferrules face challenges in maintaining stable polishing pressure, leading to inaccuracies, and are not suitable for applying predetermined processing pressures, which affects the polishing accuracy and compatibility with optical fiber ferrules.
Innovation Solution
An end face polishing device with a bearing portion allowing the polishing plate to rotate and move axially, a polishing plate guide supporting portion for axial movement, and a pressing drive source with a transmission mechanism to adjust and apply polishing pressure, ensuring precise control over the polishing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a coil spring is used to apply pressing force to the base, then the base can be pressed and moved downward to contact the polishing material, but the polishing pressure becomes unstable due to base movement by polishing reaction force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the coil spring-based mechanical pressing system with a motor-driven pressing mechanism. The motor (15) provides controlled rotational force that is converted to linear pressing force through a ball screw mechanism, enabling stable and adjustable polishing pressure without the instability caused by spring-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adjustable polishing pressure by changing the operational parameters of the pressing mechanism. The motor speed and ball screw pitch can be adjusted to control the pressing force magnitude, and the pressing mechanism can be positioned at different stages of the polishing process to maintain optimal pressure throughout.
2Reliability
If a polishing device with rotatable upper and lower platens is used to apply predetermined processing pressure, then stable processing pressure can be applied, but the device cannot be simply applied to polishing of optical fiber ferrules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polishing system into separate functional components: a stationary lower platen for support, a rotatable polishing plate for material removal, and a separate pressing mechanism for applying force. This segmentation allows the polishing plate to rotate independently while the pressing mechanism maintains stable pressure, adapting the design for optical fiber ferrule polishing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating both platens as in conventional devices, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the lower platen stationary and rotating only the polishing plate. This inversion simplifies the mechanism while maintaining effective polishing action and improves compatibility with optical fiber ferrules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the polishing plate is driven to rotate and move axially, then adjustable polishing pressure can be applied, but the device complexity increases with bearing portion and guide supporting portion
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism serves multiple functions: it applies pressing force to the polishing plate, controls the axial movement of the polishing plate, and enables adjustable polishing pressure through motor control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball screw mechanism acts as an intermediary that converts the rotational motion of the motor into precise linear axial movement of the polishing plate. This intermediary mechanism provides smooth, controlled movement and easy adjustability of polishing pressure without requiring complex direct-drive mechanisms.
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
This configuration enables adjustable polishing pressure, improving the accuracy of polishing the optical fiber ferrule end faces by allowing precise control over the polishing process, enhancing the device's compatibility with optical fiber ferrules.
Implementation Method 1
The coil spring has a configuration to energize the base downward. Therefore, the end face of the optical fiber ferrule supported by the base contacts a polishing material such as a polishing film on the polishing plate with the pressing force while receiving the compressive repulsive force generated by the coil spring.
Data Source
AI summary
An end face polishing device for optical fiber ferrule for polishing an end face of an optical fiber ferrule by applying a polishing pressure between a polishing plate driven by a polishing drive shaft and an optical fiber ferrule held by a holding portion. The end face polishing device has: a bearing portion for allowing the polishing plate to rotate relatively around the polishing drive shaft and to move relatively to the polishing drive shaft in an axial direction; a polishing plate guide supporting portion for movably supporting the polishing plate on a base portion to apply the polishing pressure to the holding portion by allowing the polishing plate to move in the axial direction; a pressing drive source for outputting a driving force to apply the polishing pressure; and a pressing force transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force output from the pressing drive source as a pressing force in the axial movement direction of the polishing plate.