Floating Optical Fiber Connector Interface for Misalignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive medical procedures face challenges in aligning optical fiber connectors without causing contamination and damage due to misalignment, leading to particle formation and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A floating connector interface system with a retention bracket, translating socket, and biasing element that allows for multiple degrees of freedom during installation, reducing friction and preventing misalignment of optical fiber connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid alignment mechanisms are used to ensure precise fiber core alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by allowing the connector housing to translate freely along the fiber axis during insertion, transforming a static rigid alignment system into a dynamic adaptive one. The housing can move along the fiber to accommodate misalignments and achieve optimal contact, reducing the complexity of rigid alignment mechanisms while maintaining connection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the connector housing along the fiber axis, allowing it to translate from an initial misaligned position to an optimal aligned position during insertion. This parameter change enables the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and achieve precise fiber core alignment without complex rigid mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If multiple degrees of freedom are allowed during connector installation, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows the connector housing to dynamically translate along the fiber axis during insertion, providing operational flexibility while maintaining alignment precision. The housing can move to accommodate variations in insertion position and achieve optimal fiber core contact, combining ease of operation with manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system performs self-alignment through the ability of the housing to translate along the fiber axis during insertion. The system automatically adjusts its own position to achieve optimal alignment without requiring external precision alignment mechanisms or complex operational procedures.
3Reliability
If mechanical force is applied to hold connector alignment, then reliability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to particle formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful friction and mechanical stress that cause particle formation by allowing the connector housing to translate smoothly along the fiber axis. This reduces contact friction between the housing and fiber, eliminating the source of harmful particles while maintaining reliable alignment through the translation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing acts as an intermediary element that translates along the fiber axis during insertion, mediating between the insertion force and the fiber alignment. This intermediary motion allows for reliable connection while minimizing direct friction and particle generation at the fiber interface.
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 system ensures proper alignment of optical fiber connectors, minimizing particle formation and damage, thereby maintaining signal integrity and connector performance.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element positioned between the retention bracket and the translating socket. The biasing element may be configured to resist the translation of the translating socket
Data Source
AI summary
A floating optical fiber connector interface generally includes a retention bracket, a translating socket slidingly associated with the retention bracket, and a biasing element positioned between the retention bracket and the translating socket. A tab portion may permit translation of the translating socket with respect to the retention bracket, and an aperture configured to receive a carriage optical fiber connector. The translating socket may translate with respect to the retention bracket within a plane and may further translate in the insertion direction, and the biasing element may resist translation of the translating socket. An alignment plate may be configured to align an instrument interface for connection to a carriage, including a telescoping standoff operable to position the plate at a first position in which the plate is spaced apart from the carriage and to position the plate at a second position in which the plate is adjacent to the carriage.