Optical Connector Coil Spring Sandwiching Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors require labor-intensive and time-consuming processes for bonding optical fiber core wires to the ferrule, with risks of damage and inefficiency due to the need for coil springs to be mounted around the optical fiber before bonding, which complicates assembly and increases the likelihood of errors.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design featuring a pair of coil springs that sandwich the optical fiber and guide pins to facilitate easy assembly, allowing the optical fiber to be fixedly bonded to the ferrule in advance, eliminating the need for pre-mounting the coil spring and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coil spring is mounted on the optical fiber before bonding, then the biasing function is established, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring bonding operations with adhesives and drying/curing time
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is pre-bonded to the ferrule before assembly, so that when the ferrule is inserted into the housing, the coil spring automatically sandwiches the already-bonded optical fiber in one continuous motion, eliminating the need for separate bonding operations after spring installation
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly operation combines the spring installation and fiber bonding steps into a single continuous action where the coil spring sandwiches the optical fiber that has been pre-bonded to the ferrule, merging what were previously separate sequential operations
2Reliability
If the coil spring is mounted on the optical fiber before bonding, then the biasing function is established, but the operation requires much labor and time and increases the likelihood of damage to the optical fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is pre-bonded to the ferrule before assembly, so that when the ferrule is inserted into the housing, the coil spring automatically sandwiches the already-bonded optical fiber in one continuous motion, eliminating the need for separate bonding operations after spring installation
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring automatically sandwiches and positions the optical fiber during the single insertion motion of the ferrule into the housing, eliminating the need for separate manual operations to position the fiber relative to the spring
3Ease of operation
If the optical fiber core wires are bonded to the ferrule after coil spring mounting, then the assembly sequence is reversed, but the process still requires bonding operations with adhesives and drying/curing time
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is pre-bonded to the ferrule before assembly, so that when the ferrule is inserted into the housing, the coil spring automatically sandwiches the already-bonded optical fiber in one continuous motion, eliminating the need for separate bonding operations after spring installation
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 design enables rapid and efficient assembly of optical connectors by eliminating the need for pre-mounting coil springs and reducing the risk of optical fiber damage, thereby streamlining the assembly process and enhancing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means for pressing the ferrule, abutting a ferrule of a mating optical connector, against the ferrule of the mating optical connector
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector has a pair of coil springs (30) which are disposed so as to sandwich an optical fiber (50) led out of the rear of a ferrule (20) in substantially the axial direction (A) and which extend in the axial direction (A).