Optical Fiber Adapter Sleeve Assembly for Coaxial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapter assemblies face issues with collimation performance due to assembly errors causing non-coaxial alignment of sleeve retaining members, which affect the parallel alignment of optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
The adapter assembly incorporates a holding sleeve integrally formed with the housing, featuring a receiving cavity and openings for a clamping member, along with fixing members at both ends to ensure the ceramic sleeve can float freely and maintain coaxial docking, thereby improving alignment performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sleeve retaining members are used for coaxial alignment assembly, then the ceramic sleeve can be retained, but assembly errors cause non-coaxial alignment affecting collimation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sleeve retaining members into a single integrated holding sleeve structure. The holding sleeve is formed as one piece that provides both retention and coaxial alignment functions, eliminating the need for separate retaining members that would require precision assembly. This single-structure approach ensures inherent coaxial alignment while maintaining the ceramic sleeve retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding sleeve acts as an intermediary structure between the optical fibers and the adapter housing. It provides a precisely machined bore that guides and aligns the ceramic sleeve, ensuring coaxial alignment without requiring complex assembly of multiple retaining members. The holding sleeve mediates the alignment function that would otherwise require high-precision assembly of multiple components.
2Manufacturing precision
If sleeve retaining members are assembled coaxially, then alignment is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sleeve retaining members into a single holding sleeve structure, reducing assembly complexity from multiple precision-aligned components to one integrated part. The holding sleeve provides all retention and alignment functions in a single component that can be installed as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding sleeve performs multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the ceramic sleeve, provides coaxial alignment, and serves as a structural support element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate retaining members, each requiring precise alignment, thereby reducing overall assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If the ceramic sleeve is allowed to float freely, then collimation performance is improved, but the ceramic sleeve may become misaligned due to assembly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The holding sleeve serves as an intermediary structure that provides a precisely machined bore for the ceramic sleeve. This bore guides the ceramic sleeve into correct coaxial alignment while still allowing it to float freely within the holding sleeve's tolerance range, maintaining collimation performance without requiring the ceramic sleeve to be perfectly aligned through complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding sleeve is pre-formed with a precisely machined bore that establishes the correct coaxial alignment path before the ceramic sleeve is inserted. This preliminary alignment structure ensures that when the ceramic sleeve is installed and allowed to float, it remains within the correct alignment tolerance for optimal collimation performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter assembly, relating to field of optical communication and comprising: a housing enclosed to form a chamber; a holding sleeve integrally formed with the housing, in which a receiving chamber is provided, wherein one end of the holding sleeve is provided in the chamber and the other end protrudes from the housing, and wherein the holding sleeve is provided with an opening communicated with the receiving chamber; a clamping member provided in the opening and detachably connected with the holding sleeve; a ceramic sleeve provided within the receiving chamber; and fixing members provided at two ends of the holding sleeve and fixedly connected with the holding sleeve to limit the ceramic sleeve. The axes of holding sleeves are the axes thereof, which avoids multiple holding sleeves from deviating each other due to assembly errors, and ensures that the ceramic sleeve may float freely within the holding sleeve.