Optical Fiber Connector Fixing Module for Fresnel Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connectors face challenges in achieving precise joining of optical fiber stubs and field optical fibers, leading to inefficiencies in optical coupling and increased Fresnel losses due to evaporation of matching liquids or inconvenient melting processes.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber connector employs a fixing module with a support member, fastening member, and locking member to securely grip the optical fiber, using an elastic member and housing structure that allows for precise alignment and secure fastening, minimizing the need for joining and reducing Fresnel losses by ensuring consistent contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If matching liquid is injected in the optical fiber holder, then optical coupling quality is improved, but the matching liquid evaporates easily causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the matching liquid from the system entirely, replacing it with a mechanical fixing structure. The optical fiber is directly fixed in the holder through mechanical constraints rather than relying on a liquid medium that evaporates, thereby eliminating the evaporation problem while maintaining optical coupling quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fixing structure (including fixing members and positioning components) as an intermediary between the optical fiber and the holder. This mechanical intermediary provides stable fixation without requiring evaporative matching liquid, thus resolving the contradiction between optical coupling quality and liquid stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical fiber stub and field optical fiber are joined together by melting, then joining is achieved, but precise joining is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal melting process with a mechanical fixing system. The optical fiber is secured through mechanical constraints including fixing members, positioning structures, and clamping mechanisms, which provide both ease of assembly and precise positioning without requiring melting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning structures that pre-align the optical fiber stub and field optical fiber before final fixation. Positioning components and guiding structures ensure precise alignment is achieved automatically during assembly, making both precise joining and ease of manufacture simultaneously attainable.
3Stability of the object's composition
If optical fiber is securely gripped, then fixation stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fixation functions into an integrated fixing module. The fixing members, positioning structures, and clamping mechanisms are combined into a unified assembly that achieves stable fixation through coordinated action, reducing overall device complexity compared to separate fixation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing module is designed with multi-functional components that simultaneously provide positioning, securing, and alignment functions. The same fixing structure serves multiple purposes: it holds the optical fiber, maintains precise positioning, and ensures stable fixation, thereby achieving fixation stability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector includes a fixing module and an optical fiber ferrule positioned at an end of the fixing module. The optical fiber connector is used for gripping a cable including an optical fiber. The optical fiber ferrule axially defines a through hole, the optical fiber is gripped in the fixing module and is partly protruded out of the optical ferrule. When the optical fiber connector is assembled to an adapter to join with another optical fiber connector, the optical fiber will be bent to elastically resist an optical fiber of the another optical fiber connector.