Optical Connector Bare Fiber Fixing for Thermal Shrinkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical connectors with buffered optical fibers experience bend loss and deterioration of optical characteristics due to thermal shrinkage of tubes relative to bare optical fibers, especially under low-temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector design includes a tube fixing portion to prevent buffered optical fibers from being pushed into the multi-fiber connector and a bare fiber fixing portion that secures the bare optical fibers closer to the ferrule than the tube fixing portion, preventing bending and maintaining optical integrity. The manufacturing method involves fixing the tubes to the connector housing and applying adhesive materials to secure the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If buffered optical fibers are made long in length to improve flexibility and ease of connection, then the optical connector becomes easier to operate, but the tubes shrink more at low temperatures causing greater bend loss and deterioration of optical characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by fixing the bare optical fibers to the tubes at predetermined positions before assembly. The bare optical fibers are fixed to the tubes at positions closer to the ferrule than the tube fixing portion, creating a stable configuration that prevents bending even when tubes shrink at low temperatures. This pre-positioning ensures that the optical fibers remain stable during temperature variations while maintaining the flexibility needed for ease of connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tubes are made with higher coefficient of thermal expansion to improve flexibility, then the tubes become more flexible, but they shrink more at low temperatures causing bare optical fibers to project and bend within the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fixing mechanism into two distinct portions: a tube fixing portion that secures the tubes to the connector housing, and a bare fiber fixing portion that secures the bare optical fibers to the tubes at a position closer to the ferrule. This segmentation allows the tube material to maintain its flexibility and thermal expansion properties while the dual-fixing mechanism prevents the bare fibers from bending due to temperature-induced tube shrinkage.
3Reliability
If bare optical fibers are fixed closer to the ferrule to prevent bending, then optical characteristics are maintained, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the bare fiber fixing portion and tube fixing portion into a unified connector structure. The bare optical fibers are fixed to the tubes at predetermined positions within the connector housing, combining the functions of tube securing and fiber positioning into a single assembly process. This integration maintains reliable optical characteristics while simplifying the overall assembly process compared to separate fixing operations.
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 configuration effectively prevents bare optical fibers from bending within the multi-fiber connector, maintaining good optical characteristics even under low-temperature conditions and reducing the need for extensive manpower in assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a bare fiber fixing portion in which the bare optical fiber and the tube are fixed
Implementation Method 2
the tubes 521 and the bare optical fibers 522 shrink. The tubes 521 are formed of a material that has a higher rate of shrinkage (coefficient of thermal expansion) than the material of the bare optical fibers 522
Implementation Method 3
The tubes 521 are formed of a material that has a higher rate of shrinkage (coefficient of thermal expansion) than the material of the bare optical fibers 522
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector attached to a plurality of buffered optical fibers each including: a bare optical fiber; and a tube in which the bare optical fiber is inserted in. A multi-fiber optical connector is connected to first ends of the buffered optical fibers, and a plurality of single-fiber optical connectors are respectively connected to second ends of the buffered optical fibers. The multi-fiber optical connector includes: a ferrule fixed to ends of the bare optical fibers; a connector housing that houses the ferrule therein; and a tube fixing portion that fixes the tubes to the connector housing. The buffered optical fiber has a bare fiber fixing portion in which the bare optical fiber and the tube are fixed at a location closer to the ferrule than the tube fixing portion within the multi-fiber optical connector.