Magnetic Optical Connector Ferrule Attraction Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical connectors rely on mechanical fastening components like springs, limiting their size reduction and compromising operability due to the need for mechanical fastening structures to achieve physical contact connections.

Innovation Solution

An optical connector design utilizing a magnet or metallic magnetic material to create an attractive force between ferrules, eliminating the need for mechanical fastening components and enabling a smaller form factor while maintaining stable physical contact connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical fastening components like springs are used to achieve physical contact connection, then reliable fiber connection is achieved, but the connector size cannot be reduced further

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidconnector size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based fastening system with a magnetic field-based attraction system. Magnets are embedded in the ferrules to provide the attractive force needed for physical contact connection, eliminating the need for mechanical springs and enabling significant size reduction while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of force generation from mechanical elastic force (springs) to magnetic attractive force. This parameter change allows the connector to achieve the same holding force with a much more compact structure, as magnetic fields can exert force without physical contact or large mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mechanical fastening structures are used to press ferrules together, then physical contact connection is achieved, but operability deteriorates due to complex structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical contact connectionVSAvoidinsertion and removal operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing complex mechanical fastening structures with simple magnetic attraction, the patent dramatically improves ease of operation. The magnets automatically attract the ferrules together during insertion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical engagement mechanisms and making insertion and removal operations simpler and more reliable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional ferrule structures with springs are used, then stable fiber alignment is achieved, but the connector housing must be large to accommodate mechanical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber alignment precisionVSAvoidhousing area

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for large housing structures by replacing mechanical springs and fastening components with compact magnets embedded directly in the ferrules. This substitution allows precise fiber alignment to be achieved without requiring a large housing to accommodate mechanical components, significantly reducing the overall connector footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 magnetic attraction allows for a compact optical connector that achieves stable physical contact connections without mechanical fastening, reducing size and improving operability while maintaining good optical characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a connection component including a magnet or a metallic magnetic material is provided around the sleeve, at least one of the connection component and the flanges includes a magnet, and due to an attractive force acting on the connection component and the flange, cores of the plurality of fibers facing each other come in close contact with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11828990B2Optical connector and optical connecting structure

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

An optical connector of the present invention includes a ferrule accommodating optical fibers, a flange integrated with the ferrule, a sleeve in which a pair of the ferrules are accommodated, and a connection component which is provided around the sleeve and includes a magnet or a metallic magnetic material, wherein at least one of the connection component and the flange includes a magnet, and an attractive force acts on the connection component and the flanges, whereby cores of the opposing optical fibers come into close contact with each other. As a result, the optical connector of the present invention can provide the present physical contact connection and can provide a smaller optical connector.