Optical Fiber Holder Recess for Adhesive Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical fiber devices, the adhesive used to secure the optical fiber to the holder often sticks to the end surface, causing performance deterioration and making it difficult to clean, while protruding the end portion of the fiber makes it susceptible to mechanical shocks.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber holder features a throughhole with a recess on its surface, allowing the adhesive to spread and cure on the holder's surface rather than the fiber's end, preventing sticking and protecting the end surface by housing it within the recess, which reduces exposure to external shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the end portion of optical fiber protrudes from the surface of optical fiber holder, then adhesive is less likely to stick to the end surface, but the end surface becomes susceptible to mechanical shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber holder is segmented into distinct functional zones: a throughhole for adhesive application and a recess for fiber end protection. This segmentation allows the adhesive to be confined to the throughhole area while the fiber end resides in the protected recess, resolving the contradiction between preventing adhesive contamination and protecting against mechanical shocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure between the adhesive application area and the fiber end. It provides a transition zone that prevents direct contact between adhesive and fiber end while also shielding the fiber end from external mechanical shocks, thus mediating between the two harmful factors.
2Reliability
If end surface of optical fiber aligns with surface of optical fiber holder, then light coupling is optimized, but adhesive spreads onto end surface preventing light passage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber holder exhibits local quality differentiation: the throughhole region has properties suitable for adhesive application (open access, capillary action), while the recess region has properties suitable for fiber end protection (enclosed space, shock absorption). This local differentiation allows optimal light coupling positioning while preventing adhesive contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful adhesive spreading is extracted from the fiber end area by providing a separate throughhole region for adhesive application. The adhesive is taken out from the potential contamination zone (fiber end) and confined to a dedicated application zone (throughhole), eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining functional requirements.
3Reliability
If cleaning process is implemented to remove resin from end surface, then light passage is restored, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recess structure provides preliminary anti-action against adhesive contamination by preventing adhesive from reaching the fiber end in the first place. This preventive design eliminates the need for subsequent cleaning actions, reducing manufacturing complexity and time while ensuring reliable light passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The throughhole structure performs preliminary action by confining adhesive to a specific application zone before it can contaminate the fiber end. This preliminary confinement of adhesive prevents the harmful effect from occurring, eliminating the need for corrective cleaning actions later in the manufacturing process.
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 prevents adhesive from sticking to the optical fiber's end surface and minimizes mechanical shock exposure, ensuring reliable light coupling and improved durability.
Implementation Method 1
UV cure resin 11 spreads in gap 9 due to the capillarity phenomenon and fills gap 9
Implementation Method 2
resin 11 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays so as to be cured
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an assembly of an optical fiber and an optical fiber holder for holding the optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end surface formed at an end portion thereof, the end surface being configured to perform light coupling with a light emitting element or with a light receiving element. The optical fiber holder comprises; a throughhole which extends through the optical fiber holder and a recess that is positioned on a surface of the optical fiber holder and that is provided with an opening of the throughhole. The optical fiber is inserted through the throughhole and an adhesive is filled in a gap between an inner wall of the throughhole and an outer periphery of the optical fiber, the adhesive being used for adhering the optical fiber to the optical fiber holder. The end portion, on which is formed the end surface of the optical fiber, protrudes from the opening and terminates within the recess.