Optical-Path-Bending Connector with Non-Contact Guide Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for bending optical paths in optical communication systems, such as using lenses or mirrors, face accuracy issues and cause transmission loss due to lateral pressure on optical fibers, while fiber bending methods risk breakage from excessive curvature and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An optical-path-bending connector with a separate fixing member and guide member, where the optical fiber is bent with a first and second non-contact part to avoid excessive stress and pressure, and a polymer coating is stripped to protect the fiber, allowing for a controlled curvature and reduced contact length with the guide member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the optical fiber is pressed against the curved surface to maintain predetermined radius of curvature, then the optical fiber can be kept at the intended bending shape, but lateral pressure causes transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the optical fiber contact only specific portions of the guide member rather than being pressed along the entire curved surface. The fiber contacts the guide member at discrete locations (entry and exit points of the bend) rather than continuously, reducing lateral pressure while maintaining the necessary curvature control for single-mode fiber operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical fiber is fixed with tension from both inner and outer sides, then the optical fiber can be held at predetermined radius of curvature, but the optical fiber receives lateral pressure from both sides causing transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic continuous lateral pressure from the system by removing the mechanism that presses the fiber against the entire curved surface. Instead, only discrete contact points are maintained, eliminating the harmful lateral pressure while preserving the essential function of guiding the fiber through the bend at the correct radius.
3Ease of manufacture
If a separate fixing member and guide member are used, then the optical fiber can be fixed and guided, but level differences cause sharp bending and transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing member and guide member into a single integrated component. This eliminates level differences between separate parts while maintaining the ease of manufacture benefit, as the integrated design ensures proper alignment and continuous support for the optical fiber throughout the bending section.
4Volume of moving object
If the optical fiber is bent with small radius to reduce component height, then the component size is reduced, but the optical fiber breaks due to excessive curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of bending radius to be dynamically adapted rather than fixed. By allowing the fiber to follow a curved path defined by the guide member's geometry rather than forcing a sharp bend, the minimum bending radius is increased to safe levels while still achieving compact component height through optimized routing and three-dimensional arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber is contacted by a first guide part on the inside of a bend. The first guide part is disposed apart from a region of a fixing member from which the optical fiber is drawn out. Specifically, a first non-contact part in which the optical fiber does not contact a guide member is provided between the first guide part and the drawn out part of the optical fiber from the fixing member. The optical fiber also contacts a second guide part on the outside of the bend. The second guide part is disposed apart from the first guide part, and a second non-contact part in which the optical fiber does not contact the guide member is also provided between the first guide part and the second guide part.