Optical Fiber Connector for Bioanalytical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Correct positioning and alignment of optical fibers in bioanalytical devices are challenging, and existing methods often require bonding processes that can affect signaling and are prone to misalignment or damage.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector with a single-piece adaptor body and optical fiber alignment body, featuring clamping means and protrusions for secure fixation without the need for bonding, ensuring accurate alignment and positioning directly into bioanalytical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bonding processes (glue, clamps) are used to fix the optical fiber in the connector, then the optical fiber can be positioned and aligned, but excess bonding material can affect the signaling across the optical fiber and misalignment or damage can still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bonding process entirely from the optical fiber fixation system. Instead of using glue or clamps that require bonding, the invention uses a mechanical retention mechanism where the optical fiber is held in place by a recess in the adapter body that matches the fiber geometry, allowing positioning without any bonding material that could interfere with signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (glue, epoxy) with a purely mechanical retention system. The optical fiber is secured through geometric interlocking between the fiber shape and the adapter recess, substituting chemical adhesion with mechanical constraint that does not risk contaminating the optical path.
2Ease of operation
If bonding processes are used to fix the optical fiber, then fixation is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires subsequent bonding steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the retention recess in the adapter body during manufacturing, so that during assembly the optical fiber simply needs to be inserted into the pre-prepared geometric constraint. This eliminates the need for subsequent bonding steps, reducing both operational complexity and time required for fixation.
3Reliability
If the optical fiber is positioned using glue or clamps, then alignment can be achieved, but the optical fiber can still be moved or removed without damaging the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry in the geometric design where the optical fiber shape is specifically matched to the retention recess shape. This asymmetric fit creates a unique orientation that provides both alignment stability and strong mechanical retention, preventing the fiber from being moved or removed without applying force that would damage either the fiber or the connector.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector to position and align an optical fiber into an analytical device, in particular into a bioanalytical device. Also a method for positioning and aligning an optical fiber in such a device is disclosed.