Removable Optical Fiber Stub Cap with Alignment Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber stubs face challenges in maintaining signal transmission due to contamination and mechanical damage at the outer end of the ferrule, which is difficult to clean or repair due to a permanently secured receptacle cap, leading to reduced performance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A removable receptacle cap design with a threaded interface and alignment sleeve allows for easy cleaning and re-polishing of the optical ferrule end face, while a vent or slot between the ferrule and stub body enables gases to escape during the sealing process, creating a stronger and more resilient hermetic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receptacle cap is permanently secured over the optical fiber stub, then the alignment sleeve maintains proper positioning, but the end face of the optical ferrule becomes inaccessible for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle cap is divided into separable parts: the cap body and the alignment sleeve. The alignment sleeve remains permanently positioned within the cap body to maintain alignment, while the cap body itself is made removable via threaded connection. This segmentation allows the alignment function to remain fixed while the protective cap can be removed for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the receptacle cap and the optical fiber stub assembly. This threaded interface provides a controlled means of attachment and detachment, allowing the cap to be securely fixed during operation yet easily removed when cleaning is required, without affecting the permanent alignment of the sleeve.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the receptacle cap is permanently secured, then protection is maintained, but cleaning and re-polishing of the optical ferrule end face becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle cap transitions from a static permanent fixture to a dynamic component with two states: secured during operation for protection, and removable during maintenance for cleaning. The threaded connection enables this dynamic behavior, allowing the cap to be easily attached and detached based on operational requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If a vent or slot is added between the ferrule and stub body, then gases can escape during sealing, but the hermeticity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vent or slot is incorporated into the design before the sealing process occurs. This preliminary feature allows gases generated during sealing to escape through the designated path, preventing defects in the hermetic seal. After sealing is complete, the vent maintains hermeticity by allowing the sealing structure to maintain its integrity while providing the necessary gas escape route during the critical sealing phase.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber stub having a first end and a second end, wherein the outer surface of the first end has a threaded surface, and a stop surface at a base of the outer threaded surface, a receptacle cap having a tubular body with a base end and a receiving end, wherein an inner surface of the base end is similarly threaded to the outer threaded surface of the first end, so that the base end of the receptacle cap can be screwed over and around the first end of the optical fiber stub. The receiving end of the receptacle cap includes two opposing flat surfaces on an outer surface of the receiving end, so as to enable a tool to grip the outer surface of the receiving end of the receptacle cap and unscrew the receptacle cap from the optical fiber stub.