Multi-ferrule SC Fiber Optical Connector with Internal Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing SC fiber optical connectors can only accommodate a single ferrule, leading to space and cost inefficiencies when trying to expand the number of connectors, as additional optical fiber towers are required, making it impractical and costly to increase ferrule capacity without modifying the existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optical connector design that incorporates multiple ferrules within a single SC connector, utilizing an outer and inner housing with compressible springs and a supporting assembly, allowing the ferrules to be inserted into mating tubes within a receptacle, thereby increasing capacity without needing additional optical fiber towers and reducing space and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single ferrule is used per SC connector as per standard specification, then the connector structure is simple and reliable, but the space occupation is large and the capacity is limited, requiring additional optical fiber towers for expansion
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ferrules are nested inside a single SC connector housing, with each ferrule housed in its own compartment within the inner housing. This allows multiple ferrules to be contained within the external dimensions of a single standard SC connector, increasing capacity without requiring additional connector slots in the optical fiber tower.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into multiple independent compartments, each accommodating a ferrule. The inner housing is segmented into several sections, with each section containing a ferrule and its associated spring mechanism. This segmentation allows each ferrule to be independently inserted, removed, and positioned while maintaining the integrity of the overall connector structure.
2Productivity
If multiple ferrules are accommodated within a single SC connector, then the capacity increases and space is saved, but the manufacturing precision and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrules are pre-positioned and fixed within the inner housing during assembly, with each ferrule preliminarily secured in its designated compartment before the final connector assembly. The springs are pre-compressed to provide initial positioning force, ensuring that when the connector is assembled, the ferrules are already in their correct positions with the required precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible springs automatically provide positioning and alignment forces to the ferrules, ensuring they are correctly positioned within the connector housing without requiring additional external adjustment mechanisms. The springs self-adjust to maintain proper ferrule positioning during insertion and connection operations.
3Quantity of substance
If additional optical fiber towers are built to increase connector capacity, then the ferrule capacity is increased, but the cost increases significantly with each tower costing at least 100 million yuan
Solution Approach 1:
The SC connector housing is designed to serve multiple functions by accommodating multiple ferrules within a single connector body. This multi-functional design allows the connector to provide the capacity of multiple separate connectors while using the same external housing dimensions, enabling existing optical fiber tower infrastructure to support higher capacities without modification.
4Area of stationary object
If the SC connector size is reduced to accommodate multiple ferrules, then the space occupation decreases, but the latching reliability and structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector utilizes the internal three-dimensional space within the housing more efficiently by arranging ferrules in a compact internal configuration rather than increasing the external footprint. The ferrules are positioned in multiple levels or orientations within the inner housing, maximizing the use of available internal volume while maintaining the same external connector dimensions.
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 design allows for a significant expansion of ferrule capacity within existing optical fiber towers, saving space and reducing costs, while enhancing usability and practicality by enabling multiple ferrules within a single SC connector without the need for new towers.
Implementation Method 1
a rear segment of each of the plurality of ferrules is sheathed with a compressible spring
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optical connector comprises at least one fiber optical connector and a receptacle. The least one fiber optical connector comprises an outer housing, an inner housing, a plurality of ferrules, a plurality of compressible springs, a plurality of optical fibers, a supporting seat and a rear supporting assembly. The rear supporting assembly comprises a rear supporting tube, a ring, a pipe and a sleeve. The plurality of ferrules are provided in the inner housing and the inner housing is provided with outer latching portions at two sides of the inner housing; the rear supporting assembly further comprises a clamping collar, the clamping collar is sheathed on an outer surface of a rear segment of the pipe. The receptacle is provided with mating tubes in which the ferrules of the at least one fiber optical connector are correspondingly inserted. With such a configuration, the number of ferrules provided inside a single SC connector of the optical fiber standard specification is increased.