Fiber Optic Ferrule Adhesive Injection and Meniscus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of terminating optical fibers by gluing them to a ferrule lacks control over excess adhesive, leading to contamination and increased processing time, which hampers efficiency and automation in the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for injecting adhesive into a fiber optic ferrule, where a conduit is aligned with the ferrule's front end face, adhesive is dispensed, and excess adhesive is controlled by detecting volume and withdrawing the conduit to form a meniscus, ensuring appropriate adhesive fullness before inserting the optical fiber, thus preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If adhesive is injected into the ferrule passage from the front end face, then adhesive quantity can be controlled, but the process complexity increases due to alignment and volume detection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects the volume of adhesive within the ferrule in real-time to determine appropriate adhesive fullness, providing feedback control that ensures precise adhesive quantity while enabling high-speed automation
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit is aligned with the ferrule front end face before adhesive injection, and the adhesive volume is detected before fiber insertion, ensuring proper preparation and control before the main assembly operation
2Productivity
If excess adhesive is not controlled, then the assembly process becomes complicated and processing time increases, but implementing control mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time detection of adhesive volume provides feedback control that prevents excess adhesive from causing contamination, enabling high-speed automation without compromising quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual adhesive control with an automated system using sensors and controlled dispensing mechanisms, substituting mechanical precision with automated detection and control
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 approach allows for precise control of adhesive quantity, reducing contamination and processing time, enabling high-speed automation and consistent assembly of optical fiber connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive material is adapted to hold the optical fiber to the ferrule body
Implementation Method 2
withdrawing the conduit a distance from the front end face of the ferrule that results in a meniscus forming between the conduit and the front end face of the ferrule
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to methods for processing ferrules of fiber optic connectors such that the amount of cleaving and/or polishing that is required is eliminated or at least reduced. An apparatus and method of dispensing adhesive through a front end face of a fiber optic ferrule are provided.