Optical Fiber Connector Rotation Adjustment for PM Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polarization-maintaining optical fibers experience twist and misalignment issues when installed in optical fiber connectors due to manufacturing tolerances or installation errors, leading to long-distance transmission latency and signal errors during high-speed signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector design featuring a main housing, fastener member, resilient member, rotatable tube seat, and turning member, allowing for adjustable rotation of the optical fiber without tools, with a press member that includes a torsion spring for resilience and a pivotally connected press body to prevent fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the optical fiber is installed in a conventional optical fiber connector, then the installation process is simple, but manufacturing tolerances or installation errors cause twist and misalignment of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber, resulting in long-distance transmission latency and signal errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotatable tube seat that can rotate relative to the main housing, allowing the optical fiber to be dynamically adjusted to different rotation angles. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables precise alignment compensation for polarization-maintaining optical fibers, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and structural complexity by providing a controlled rotational degree of freedom rather than a fixed rigid structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rotation angle parameter of the optical fiber through the rotatable tube seat and turning member mechanism. By allowing continuous adjustment of the rotation angle parameter, the system can optimize alignment precision for polarization-maintaining fibers without requiring complete redesign of the connector structure
2Manufacturing precision
If a rotation adjustment mechanism is added to the optical fiber connector, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient member that uses elastic force to automatically push the tube seat against the stopper, providing self-positioning and self-locking functionality. The turning member with L-shaped groove and positioning凸起 (protrusion) creates a self-aligning mechanism that guides the rotation operation, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary between the fastener member and the tube seat, transmitting the loosening force of the fastener to create rotational freedom for the tube seat. This intermediary mechanism enables easy rotation adjustment without requiring direct manipulation of complex internal components
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fastener member is made tightly connected to the main housing, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to adjust the optical fiber rotation angle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic connection system where the fastener member can transition between a tight connected state (providing structural stability) and a loosened state (enabling rotation adjustment). The resilient member facilitates this transition by storing and releasing elastic energy, allowing the tube seat to rotate when the fastener is loosened and maintain position when tightened
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables periodic switching between stable connection and adjustable states through the fastener member. The user can periodically loosen the fastener to adjust the rotation angle and then tighten it to stabilize the configuration, creating a cyclic adjustment-stabilize operation pattern
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 design enables convenient and tool-free adjustment of the optical fiber's rotation angle, preventing fiber ripping and enhancing alignment precision, thereby reducing latency and signal errors.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (5), wherein the resilient member (5) is received in the main housing (2) and the fastener member (3), and has a rear end abutting against the fastener member (3)
Implementation Method 2
a press member (7) pivotally connected to the main housing (2), wherein the press member (7) includes a torsion spring
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector includes a fastener member threadedly connected to a main housing. A resilient member is received in the main housing and the fastener member, and abuts against the fastener member. A rotatable tube seat is sleeved by the resilient member, and is positioned by the main housing and the resilient member. A turning member is sleeved on the rotatable tube seat, and is sleeved by the fastener member. The rotatable tube seat is co-rotatable with the turning member. When the fastener member is loosened from the main housing, the turning member is rotatable relative to the fastener member to drive rotation of the rotatable tube seat relative to the main housing.