Optical Fiber Connector Shutter for Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connectors in sensitive applications, such as medical spectroscopy, face challenges in maintaining accurate calibration due to variations in manufacturing tolerances and age-related degradation, leading to errors in signal measurements caused by relative changes in the transmission spectrum of optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector with a shutter mechanism that allows for reliable optical path formation between optical fibers, incorporating a shutter with a predetermined optical signature for calibration, which prevents debris ingress and facilitates calibration without additional components, using materials like plastics, ceramics, or metals, and featuring a debris collection zone to extend connector lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fiber connectors are used in sensitive applications, then optical path formation is achieved, but variations in manufacturing tolerance and age-related degradation cause transmission spectrum changes leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary calibration by incorporating a reference surface within the connector that allows calibration measurements to be performed before actual use. This calibration process establishes baseline transmission characteristics, enabling subsequent measurements to be corrected for manufacturing variations and aging effects, thereby maintaining measurement precision over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference surface as an intermediary element within the connector. This reference surface serves as a stable intermediate reference that mediates between the variable optical fiber transmission characteristics and the measurement system, allowing for compensation of transmission spectrum variations and maintaining reliable measurements.
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed using additional components, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration function directly into the connector structure by integrating a reference surface within the connector body. This eliminates the need for separate external calibration components or procedures, achieving accurate calibration while maintaining simple connector architecture. The reference surface is incorporated as an intrinsic part of the connector rather than as an add-on component.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design provides multi-functionality by combining both connection and calibration functions within a single device. The same connector that mates optical fibers also contains the reference surface for calibration, eliminating the need for separate calibration equipment and simplifying the overall system while maintaining calibration accuracy.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If shutter is made from materials like plastics, ceramics, or metals, then durability is improved, but debris may still ingress into the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (debris) from the optical path by incorporating a shutter mechanism that physically blocks the entrance to the connector when closed. This prevents debris from entering the connector and contaminating the optical interfaces, thereby extending connector lifespan while maintaining material durability.
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient calibration procedure that improves signal accuracy by reusing the same optical reference surface for consecutive calibrations, reducing errors and extending connector lifespan through debris prevention, thus enhancing the reliability of optical measurements in sensitive applications.
Implementation Method 1
a shutter (105) which prevents ingress of debris into the connector, and provides an optical reference surface with which to calibrate optical fibers that are inserted into the connector
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector for mating a first group of one or more optical fibers (102) with one or more corresponding optical fibers in a second group of one or more optical fibers(103). The optical fiber connector includes a shutter(105), which prevents the ingress of debris into the connector, and provides an optical reference surface with which to calibrate optical fibers that are inserted into the connector. The optical fiber connector finds application in the general optical fiber field, and more particularly finds application in the medical field in which it may be used to connect optical fibers in a photonic needle application.