Fiber Optic Connector Shutter for Bare-Fiber Alignment Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic connectors, particularly ferrule-less connectors, face challenges in efficiently aligning and protecting bare optical fibers during connection and disconnection, leading to potential misalignment and damage.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic connector design featuring a moveable nose-piece with fiber openings and a connector shutter mechanism, along with a fiber anchoring unit, that allows for protected fiber alignment and extension during insertion and retraction, ensuring secure and efficient optical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ferrule-less fiber optic connectors are used to simplify the connector structure, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and alignment reliability deteriorate due to the difficulty of aligning bare optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nose-piece as an intermediary component that receives and aligns the bare optical fibers. The nose-piece includes guide surfaces and positioning features that mediate between the simple ferrule-less connector structure and the precision requirements for fiber alignment, enabling accurate fiber-to-fiber coupling without traditional ferrules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary alignment actions through the nose-piece structure that pre-positioned and guide the bare optical fibers before they make final contact. The guide surfaces and positioning features perform preliminary alignment, ensuring that fibers are correctly positioned before engagement, thereby achieving precise alignment without complex ferrule structures
2Ease of operation
If bare optical fibers are exposed for connection without protection, then ease of operation is improved for direct fiber access, but reliability deteriorates due to potential fiber damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic protective mechanism where the nose-piece can move between retracted and extended positions. When retracted, fibers are exposed for easy access and connection. When extended, the nose-piece protrudes to protect the bare optical fibers from damage and contamination. This dynamic structure allows the system to switch between ease of operation and reliability based on operational state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand protection by designing the nose-piece to automatically extend and cover the bare optical fibers when not in use or during connection operations. This prior cushioning mechanism ensures that fibers are protected from physical damage, bending, and contamination before any harmful events can occur, while still allowing easy access when needed
3Reliability
If traditional ferrules are used to support optical fibers, then fiber protection and alignment are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the traditional ferrule component from the connector structure while maintaining fiber support and alignment functions through the nose-piece. The nose-piece extracts only the essential alignment and protection functions needed, eliminating the complexity of traditional ferrules while achieving the same reliability outcomes for fiber support and positioning
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 design ensures reliable alignment and protection of optical fibers, minimizing misalignment and damage, while facilitating easy connection and disconnection in fiber optic systems.
Implementation Method 1
A nose-piece spring biases the nose-piece toward the forward position
Implementation Method 2
A connector shutter spring biases the connector shutter toward the blocking position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to fiber optic connectors having integrated features for protecting the optical fibers of the fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connectors can include protective features such as retractable noses and shutters. The fiber optic connectors include fiber anchoring units with tapered front sections for preventing micro-bends.