LC Optical Connector with Mechanical Splice for Field Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LC optical connectors require complex multi-step polishing and are not well-suited for field installations due to the need for precise assembly and skilled labor, and existing hybrid splice connectors are not compatible with standard formats, leading to potential performance issues and fiber damage.
Innovation Solution
An LC format optical connector design featuring a housing with a resilient latch, a backbone for structural support, a collar body with a mechanical splice for field termination of optical fibers, and a boot that actuates a fiber jacket clamping portion, allowing for straightforward field termination without specialized tools or platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LC connectors use epoxy-based adhesive and multi-step polishing, then connection reliability is improved, but installation complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule is pre-polished and pre-assembled with the fiber and adhesive in the factory, creating a pre-assembled unit that requires no field polishing or adhesive application. This preliminary preparation eliminates complex multi-step field installation while maintaining connection reliability through controlled factory conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex adhesive application and polishing processes are extracted from field installation and relocated to factory pre-assembly. The field installation is reduced to simple mechanical steps of inserting the pre-polished ferrule into the connector housing and securing it with a crimping tool.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional LC connectors require adhesive application and multi-step polishing, then connection precision is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time-consuming multi-step polishing process is performed in advance at the factory under controlled conditions, where precision can be maintained. The field installer receives a pre-polished ferrule that requires no additional polishing steps, dramatically reducing installation time while preserving connection precision.
3Ease of operation
If hybrid splice connectors are used for field termination, then installation ease is improved, but compatibility with standard formats decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a universal LC format interface that maintains compatibility with standard LC receptacles and adapters. The pre-assembled ferrule with mechanical splice capability provides both the ease of field termination and the standard LC format compatibility, eliminating the need for specialized non-standard connectors.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multi-piece assembly is used for hybrid splice connectors, then adaptability is improved, but assembly error risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule, fiber, adhesive, and pre-polished components are merged into a single pre-assembled unit manufactured in the factory. This eliminates the need for field technicians to handle and assemble multiple small pieces, thereby reducing assembly errors while maintaining the adaptability of the LC format interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. A backbone is configured to engage an outer surface of the outer shell of the housing and includes a mounting structure that is configured to engage a boot. A collar body is retained between the outer shell and the backbone and includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub being mounted in a ferrule. A mechanical splice is disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the fiber stub to the optical fiber. The backbone also includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the optical fiber upon actuation.