Interferometric Side Scanning for Multi-Fiber Ferrule Hole Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are unable to effectively measure the parallelism and position of guide holes and fiber holes on multi-fiber ferrules in fiber optic connectors, which is crucial for ensuring low transmission loss and compliance with industry standards, as existing techniques do not adequately assess these parameters using end face scanning.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an interferometric microscope with special fixtures for side scanning, inserting reference fibers and guide pins into the ferrule, and calculating the 3D positions and angles of the holes to determine their parallelism and deviations from designated locations, allowing for precise measurement of guide pin and fiber hole alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If end face scanning is used to inspect connector end faces, then end face surface parameters can be measured, but guide holes parallelism and fiber hole positions cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from end-face scanning (2D measurement) to side scanning (3D measurement). By positioning the interferometric microscope to scan the side of the ferrule rather than the end face, the system gains access to guide holes and fiber holes positions, enabling measurement of parameters that were previously inaccessible through conventional end-face inspection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference fibers and reference guide pins as intermediary objects. These references are inserted into the fiber holes and guide holes respectively, serving as mediators that enable the interferometric microscope to measure the positions and parallelism of the actual fiber holes and guide holes by measuring the positions of these reference objects.
2Measurement precision
If traditional 2D microscope methods are used to measure fiber hole positions, then XY deviations can be determined, but parallelism and 3D positioning cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical 2D microscope measurement systems with an interferometric measurement system. This substitution enables 3D positioning and parallelism measurements by utilizing optical interference patterns, providing superior measurement precision for guide holes parallelism and fiber angles compared to conventional 2D imaging methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D microscope imaging to 3D interferometric measurement. By using side scanning with reference objects, the system captures depth information and angular relationships, enabling measurement of guide holes parallelism and fiber hole orientations in three-dimensional space rather than only planar XY positions.
3Manufacturing precision
If side scanning with reference objects is used to measure guide holes and fiber holes, then parallelism and 3D positions can be measured, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reference fibers and reference guide pins as intermediary objects that simplify the measurement process. These references are inserted into the fiber holes and guide holes, converting complex direct measurements of hollow structures into simpler measurements of solid reference objects with known geometries, thereby reducing measurement complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies of the guide holes and fiber holes by imaging the reference objects inserted within them. The interferometric microscope captures interference patterns that represent the positions and orientations of these reference objects, providing accurate 3D measurement data without requiring direct physical contact or complex probe mechanisms.
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
This approach enables accurate measurement of guide pin and fiber hole parallelism and position, ensuring high-quality connector production and compliance with industry standards by providing detailed interferometric data on hole alignment and location.
Implementation Method 1
interferometric measurement of ferrule side perpendicular to the end face
Data Source
AI summary
An interferometric measurement method precisely determines parallelism and 3D position of guide pin holes and fiber holes in multi-fiber ferrules used in connectors. The parallelism and position are measured for the ferrule with inserted reference guide pins and reference fibers by scanning the ferrule from side in an interferometric system. Fiber hole deviations from designated locations on the ferrule end face and distance between the fiber holes and the guide pin holes are calculated as well.