Fiber Bundle Connector Dense Packing Ferrule Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fiber bundle connectors, achieving high accuracy in positioning optical fibers on the connection end surface of a ferrule is crucial to minimize connection loss between optical fibers from different connectors.
Innovation Solution
The fiber bundle connector design involves a ferrule with a connection end surface and a fiber hole where optical fibers are inserted. The fibers are densely disposed such that adjacent fibers are in contact, and the outermost fibers are pressed against the inner wall of the fiber hole, causing it to elastically and plastically deform, ensuring precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical fibers are densely disposed on the connection end surface, then positioning accuracy is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the fiber hole with a larger diameter before fiber insertion, allowing easy insertion of multiple fibers. After insertion, the fiber hole is collapsed to tightly hold the fibers in their dense arrangement, achieving both easy manufacture and high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber hole transitions from a dynamic state (larger diameter for insertion) to a static state (collapsed diameter for holding). This dynamic change in the fiber hole geometry enables both easy fiber insertion and precise fiber positioning in different stages of the manufacturing process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If optical fibers are pressed against the inner wall to deform it, then fiber positioning stability is improved, but fiber hole geometry control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by causing plastic deformation only in specific regions where fibers are inserted, while maintaining the overall fiber hole geometry. The localized deformation at the fiber contact points provides stable fiber positioning without compromising the global geometric control of the fiber hole.
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 design effectively suppresses connection loss between optical fibers by ensuring high accuracy in fiber positioning and maintaining the optical fibers in a densely packed state, reducing gaps and misalignments.
Implementation Method 1
all the optical fibers located at an outermost periphery among the plurality of optical fibers disposed most densely are pressed on an inner wall of the fiber hole to cause the inner wall to elastically and plastically deform
Implementation Method 2
all the optical fibers located at an outermost periphery among the plurality of optical fibers disposed most densely are pressed on an inner wall of the fiber hole to cause the inner wall to elastically and plastically deform
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber bundle connector includes a plurality of optical fibers and a ferrule that has a connection end surface and a fiber hole that extends to the connection end surface and into which the plurality of optical fibers are inserted. On at least the connection end surface, a plurality of optical fibers inserted into the fiber hole are most densely disposed such that adjacent optical fibers are in contact with each other, and all the optical fibers located at an outermost periphery among the plurality of optical fibers disposed most densely are pressed on an inner wall of the fiber hole to cause the inner wall to elastically and plastically deform.