Fiber Optic Ferrules with Solid-Solid Contact Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic connectors are not suitable for consumer electronics due to their large size, sensitivity to environmental contaminants, and limited mating cycles, and they do not accommodate the size and space constraints of consumer devices, which can lead to issues with dust, dirt, and liquid ingress into optical pathways.
Innovation Solution
The development of plug and receptacle ferrules with optical pathways that form a solid-solid contact interface, allowing for a hybrid optical and electrical connection, with the ability to expel liquid and accommodate divergent or convergent light trajectories, suitable for consumer electronic devices with multiple mating cycles and exposure to environmental contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional fiber optic connectors are used, then optical connection is achieved, but the connector size is too large for consumer electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate plug and receptacle components, each with integrated ferrules containing optical pathways. This segmentation allows for compact design while maintaining full functionality, enabling the connector to fit within the size constraints of consumer electronic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical pathways are nested within the ferrule bodies, which are themselves integrated into the plug and receptacle housings. This nested structure maximizes space utilization and reduces overall connector volume while preserving optical performance.
2Reliability
If conventional fiber optic connectors are used, then optical connection is achieved, but they are sensitive to environmental contaminants like dust, dirt, and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The mating interfaces of the plug and receptacle are designed to form a solid-solid contact that creates a sealed interface. This merged interface prevents environmental contaminants such as dust, dirt, and liquid from entering the optical pathways, while maintaining reliable optical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of environmental exposure into a benefit by creating a positive pressure seal at the mating interface. The solid-solid contact expels contaminants and prevents their ingress, turning the interface from a potential weakness into a protective feature.
3Duration of action of moving object
If conventional fiber optic connectors are used, then optical connection is achieved, but they support limited mating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrules are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow for repeated mating and unmating cycles. The solid-solid contact interface maintains consistent optical performance through multiple cycles, enabling the connector to withstand the durability requirements of consumer electronic devices.
4Ease of operation
If conventional fiber optic connectors are used, then optical connection is achieved, but they require clean environments and careful deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design provides self-protection against contamination through its sealed solid-solid contact interface. The structure automatically prevents dust, dirt, and liquid from entering the optical pathways during deployment and use, eliminating the need for specialized clean environments or careful handling procedures.
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 reliable and durable fiber optic connections that prevent contamination, maintain optical performance, and accommodate the size constraints of consumer devices, ensuring effective data transmission in environments with dust, dirt, and liquid exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the solid-solid contact being sufficient to substantially expel liquid from the interface
Implementation Method 2
a section wherein light traveling over the plug optical pathway either diverges or converges
Implementation Method 3
a section wherein light traveling over the plug optical pathway either diverges or converges
Data Source
AI summary
Plug and receptacle ferrules, and fiber optic plug and receptacle connectors that use the plug and receptacle ferrules are disclosed. Connector assemblies formed by mating the plug and receptacle connectors are also disclosed. The fiber optic connectors and connector assemblies are suitable for use with commercial electronic devices and provide either an optical connection, or both electrical and optical connections. The plug ferrule includes an open section over which light converges are diverges. The receptacle ferrule includes a receptacle optical pathway having a substantially right angle bend formed by a mirror. The plug ferrule has a plug optical pathway that interfaces with the receptacle optical pathway at a solid-solid interface that serves to substantially expel any liquid from the interface.