Miniature MT Ferrule Adapter for Polarity-Aligned Direct Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no arrangement available in the art that mates miniature MT ferrules directly to a fiber optic connector, especially considering the angled-polished end face and fiber polarity requirements in high-density applications.
Innovation Solution
An adapter is designed to mate bare fiber optic ferrules with fiber optic connectors, utilizing a main body with ferrule-side and connector-side openings, columns, and triggers with trigger legs to facilitate the insertion and secure the ferrules within the adapter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If miniature MT ferrules are used to achieve high density connector requirements, then the number of connectors per unit area increases, but there is no existing arrangement to mate these ferrules directly to fiber optic connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device that bridges the miniature MT ferrule and the conventional fiber optic connector. The adapter contains a miniature MT ferrule holder that receives the small ferrule and positions it within columns, while also providing a interface to receive the conventional fiber optic connector. This mediator enables direct mating between the two different connector types without requiring redesign of either component.
2Reliability
If angled-polished end face is applied to miniature MT ferrule, then fiber optic connection performance improves, but fiber polarity alignment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the asymmetric angled-polished end face (typically 8-degree angle) of the miniature MT ferrule as a polarity identification feature. The adapter is designed with asymmetric internal structures, including the ferrule holder and column arrangements, that guide and constrain the ferrule to align in the correct orientation. This asymmetric design makes polarity alignment intuitive through physical guidance rather than requiring complex external alignment procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If triggers with trigger legs are used to secure ferrules, then ferrule positioning stability improves, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic trigger mechanisms that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The triggers are spring-loaded or elastically supported, allowing them to flex outward when the ferrule is inserted and then lock into position against the ferrule holder. This dynamic behavior provides stable ferrule positioning during operation while maintaining ease of insertion and removal, as the triggers automatically engage and disengage based on the insertion force applied.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter to mate fiber optic ferrules to respective fiber optic ferrules in a fiber optic connector housing includes a main body having ferrule-side openings and connector-side openings to receive the fiber optic connectors. The adapter includes columns that extend between a top side and a bottom side of the main body, a plurality of triggers attached to the adapter, each of the plurality of triggers having a pair of trigger legs, the trigger legs positioned inside respective columns on opposing sides. There is also a holder extension groove oriented longitudinally in each column and configured to receive a holder extension of a fiber optic ferrule holder and a pair of ferrule stop pedestals on each column on opposite sides of each holder extension groove configured to seat the fiber optic ferrule when the fiber optic ferrule holder is fully inserted into the adapter.