Low-Profile Fiber Holder for Ferrule-Less Multi-Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective solutions to hold optical fibers for use with bare fiber multi-fiber fiber optic connectors, particularly in ensuring precise alignment and secure retention without the use of traditional ferrules.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile fiber holder with a compact configuration, designed for moldability, featuring a bridge and grooves for fiber positioning and alignment, and an anchoring region for securing optical fibers with adhesive, which can be manufactured without core pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ferrules are used to hold optical fibers, then fiber alignment and retention are achieved, but the device profile becomes large and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional ferrule component from the connector structure, extracting only the essential function of fiber positioning. The fiber holder directly positions bare fibers without requiring a ferrule, simplifying the overall connector architecture while maintaining alignment capability through integrated grooves and positioning features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated fiber holder structure that provides fiber positioning, alignment, and retention without separate ferrule and alignment components. The holder integrates grooves for fiber positioning and features for mechanical retention, merging what were traditionally separate functions into one compact component
2Device complexity
If ferrule-less design is used to reduce complexity, then device profile is reduced, but fiber positioning precision and alignment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing precise positioning grooves and alignment features only at the critical fiber tip regions, rather than requiring precision throughout the entire connector structure. The fiber holder includes specifically positioned grooves and registration features that provide high precision locally at the connection interface while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fiber holder structure that mediates between the bare fiber and the connector body, providing the necessary positioning and alignment functions. The holder acts as an intermediate element that ensures precise fiber positioning without requiring the complex ferrule structure, facilitating accurate alignment through its integrated grooves and positioning features
3Volume of moving object
If compact fiber holder design is used to reduce profile, then device size is minimized, but manufacturing difficulty and moldability constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compact fiber holder into modular functional zones including fiber reception areas, positioning grooves, and retention features that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows the complex compact structure to be manufactured using standard molding techniques by dividing the design into manufacturable sections with appropriate draft angles and feature placements
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 fiber holder provides reliable and consistent optical connections by precisely positioning optical fibers for bare fiber optic connectors and adapters, ensuring proper alignment and secure retention, thus minimizing optical losses.
Implementation Method 1
an anchoring region for securing optical fibers with adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a fiber holder for holding optical fibers. The fiber holder can include a main holder body having a length that extends between first and second ends of the main holder body, a width that extends between first and second side walls of the main holder body, and a height that extends between top and bottom sides of the main holder body. The main holder body can define a plurality of fiber positioning grooves that extend along the length of the main holder body and spaced across the width of the main holder body. The main holder body also includes a fiber engagement structure having a fiber engagement surface. The fiber engagement structure can be aligned with an open region that interrupts the plurality of fiber positioning grooves. The fiber engagement structure can extend through the height of the main holder body from the top side to the fiber engagement surface.