Fiber Optic Connector With Controlled Macrobending Take-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic connectors face challenges in maintaining signal quality due to unacceptable bending of optical fibers when ferrules are moved proximally relative to the connector housings, which can lead to signal degradation and require accommodation of macrobending within the connector housings.
Innovation Solution
The fiber optic connector design includes a fiber take-up region with controlled macrobending features and a crimp sleeve to anchor the optical fiber to the connector housing, preventing tensile loads from affecting the ferrule assembly and ensuring predictable, repeatable macrobending of the optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ferrule assembly is moved proximally relative to the connector housing during connection, then the optical fibers can be coaxially aligned between two connectors, but the optical fiber experiences unacceptable bending that degrades signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can move relative to each other. The first portion moves with the ferrule assembly during connection, while the second portion remains stationary and contains the fiber take-up region. This segmentation allows the ferrule to move for alignment while isolating the fiber from harmful bending forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber take-up region acts as an intermediary element between the moving ferrule assembly and the stationary cable. It provides a controlled environment that accommodates the relative movement and prevents direct transmission of bending forces to the optical fiber, thereby maintaining signal quality.
2Strength
If the cable strength members are anchored to the connector housing, then tensile loads are transferred from the cable to the housing, but the ferrule assembly becomes vulnerable to pull forces that could cause optical disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is segmented into a first portion (with cable anchoring) and a second portion (with ferrule assembly). The cable strength members are anchored only to the first portion, isolating the ferrule assembly from tensile loads. This segmentation allows the cable to be securely anchored while preventing pull forces from affecting the connector connection.
3Ease of operation
If the fiber optic cable has sufficient interior space to allow fiber bending, then the ferrule assembly can move proximally during connection, but the connector housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into moving and stationary portions, allowing the fiber take-up region to be confined within the stationary second portion. This reduces the overall volume required compared to providing sufficient interior space throughout the entire housing, while still enabling easy assembly through the relative movement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a hub and a spring, the ferrule having a distal face accessible at a distal end of the connector housing, the ferrule being movable in a proximal direction relative to the connector housing. The distal and proximal positions are separated by an axial displacement distance. The ferrule proximal movement is against the spring's bias. The cable of the assembly includes an optical fiber contained within a jacket and also a strength layer between the fiber and the jacket that is anchored to the connector housing. The fiber extends through a fiber from the proximal end of the connector housing to the ferrule. The fiber has a distal portion potted within the ferrule. The fiber passage has a fiber take-up region configured to take-up an excess length of the fiber corresponding to the ferrule axial displacement.