Noncircular Ferrule Spring for Stable Multi-Fiber Optical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors with circular-shaped springs struggle to handle increasing numbers of optical fibers, leading to instability in pressing force and potential non-uniformity, which affects the optical properties.
Innovation Solution
A noncircular-shaped elastic member with specific geometric features, including arc-shaped surfaces and linear parts, is used to bias the ferrule, allowing for the accommodation of more optical fibers and stabilizing the pressing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular-shaped spring is used to bias the ferrule, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pressing force becomes unstable and non-uniform when handling increased numbers of optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is designed with a noncircular cross-sectional shape featuring arc-shaped surfaces that conform to the housing geometry. This asymmetric design allows the elastic member to engage with specific portions of the housing, creating stable contact points that prevent wobbling and ensure uniform pressing force distribution across the ferrule, even when accommodating increased numbers of optical fibers.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of optical fibers is increased, then the fiber capacity is improved, but the pressing force becomes unstable and optical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The noncircular elastic member with arc-shaped surfaces provides stable geometric engagement with the housing, preventing wobbling that would otherwise occur with increased fiber counts. This ensures uniform pressing force distribution across all fiber positions, maintaining consistent optical properties even as fiber capacity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped surfaces of the elastic member are specifically designed to engage with corresponding portions of the housing, creating localized stable contact points. This local geometric optimization ensures that the pressing force is uniformly distributed across all optical fiber positions, maintaining reliable optical performance throughout the connector.
3Reliability
If a noncircular-shaped elastic member is used, then the pressing force stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the noncircular shape increases manufacturing complexity compared to a simple circular spring, the arc-shaped surfaces provide significant benefits in terms of stable housing engagement and uniform pressing force. The design achieves a practical balance by using conventional elastic member geometries with modified surfaces that can be manufactured using standard processes.
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 noncircular elastic member effectively handles increased optical fibers, stabilizes the pressing force, and enhances the optical properties by suppressing wobbling and ensuring uniform force distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member (10) that biases the ferrule (2) in the connecting direction (A1)
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic member according to an embodiment is an elastic member that biases a ferrule retaining a plurality of optical fibers in a connecting direction. The elastic member is stored in an inner housing that accommodates the ferrule, the elastic member has a space in its inside into which a 16-fiber tape fiber is inserted, and the elastic member is in a noncircular shape in a cross section intersecting with the connecting direction. The elastic member includes a pair of first portions having an outer surface opposite to a pair of inner surfaces in an arc shape of the housing, the inner surfaces being opposite to each other along a first direction intersecting with the connecting direction and a pair of second portions opposite to the tape fiber along a second direction intersecting with both of the connecting direction and the first direction.