Optical Connector Boot with Vertical Partitions for Ribbon Fiber Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical connector ferrule boots face difficulties in ribbon fiber insertion operability due to the lack of a clear guide function, leading to inferior insertion efficiency, and the rear end corner of the boot interferes with the elliptic spring during assembly, causing positioning issues and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The boot incorporates a single or multiple vertical partition portions within the ribbon fiber insertion portion, forming a fiber guide with exposure notches and standing guide portions, allowing for easy insertion without rearward viewing and preventing interference with the elliptic spring by forming an H-shaped cross-section and U-shaped concave portions, ensuring smooth insertion and secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the boot is designed without a guide function, then the structure is simple, but the ribbon fiber insertion operability is inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The boot's ribbon fiber insertion portion is segmented into multiple sections by vertical partition portions, creating distinct guide paths for ribbon fibers. This segmentation provides a clear guide function that improves insertion operability while maintaining structural simplicity through integrated molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical partition portions act as intermediary structures that guide the ribbon fibers from the rear opening toward the front opening. These partitions serve as visual and physical mediators that facilitate proper fiber alignment and insertion without requiring complex external guiding mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If the boot has a simple tubular structure, then the manufacturing is easy, but the rear end corner interferes with the elliptic spring during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The boot incorporates local structural modifications at the rear end corner region, specifically forming concave portions that create clearance space for the elliptic spring. This local quality change prevents interference during assembly while maintaining the overall simple tubular structure and integrated molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear end corner is modified by creating concave portions that extend in the depth dimension, providing three-dimensional clearance space for the elliptic spring. This dimensional modification eliminates interference issues without requiring changes to the boot's primary cylindrical form or additional manufacturing steps.
3Productivity
If the ribbon fiber insertion portion lacks visual guides, then the structure is simpler, but insertion requires viewing from the rear side which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical partition portions create visual contrast and guidance within the insertion portion, allowing operators to easily identify the correct insertion path and fiber positioning. This visual guidance system improves insertion efficiency without requiring complex external markers or indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion portion is visually segmented by vertical partitions that create distinct zones for different ribbon fibers or bundles. This segmentation provides immediate visual feedback during insertion, enabling operators to efficiently position multiple fibers without requiring rearward viewing or complex alignment procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A boot for an optical connector ferrule is provided with a ribbon fiber insertion portion internally provided with vertical partition portions so as to section ribbon fibers into upper and lower stages and enable to insert the ribbon fibers, and a front opening portion exposing the optical fiber core wires in the respective leading ends of the inserted ribbon fiber groups to a forward outer side, and the boot for the optical connector ferrule is inserted to a boot insertion opening portion formed in a rear end side of the optical connector ferrule. An exposure notch portion is provided in a rear end portion of each of both upper and lower wall surfaces of the ribbon fiber insertion portion for forming a fiber guide of each of the ribbon fibers by making the rear end portion side of the vertical partition portions protrude outward from the ribbon fiber insertion portion.