Optical Connector Ferrule Regulating Part Rearward Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical connectors with ferrules retracting further after connection can cause end-faces to separate, leading to disconnection of optical connections when optical fibers are pulled rearward.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a regulating part within the optical connector system that limits the rearward retraction of the ferrule, ensuring the end-faces remain butted by maintaining a smaller interval between the ferrule's connected position and its limiting position compared to the retraction amount, using a combination of an elastic member and housing protrusions to prevent forward fall and facilitate rearward regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ferrule is allowed to retract freely into the housing, then the ferrule can be pressed forward by the elastic member to maintain contact with the protrusion, but the ferrule may retract further rearward when optical fibers are pulled, causing end-faces to separate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the ferrule by introducing a regulating part that defines a rearward limiting position. The interval from the connected position to the limiting position is controlled to be smaller than the retraction amount, ensuring the ferrule cannot retract far enough to separate end-faces while still allowing necessary retraction movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating part acts as an intermediary element between the ferrule and the housing. It mediates the rearward movement of the ferrule by providing a physical stop that prevents excessive retraction, thereby maintaining optical connection stability without completely restricting ferrule movement.
2Reliability
If the interval from connected position to rear side limiting position is made smaller than the retraction amount, then end-faces remain butted during rearward pull, but the ferrule retraction is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the interval parameter between the connected position and the rear side limiting position defined by the regulating part. By setting this interval smaller than the retraction amount, the design ensures that even when optical fibers are pulled rearward, the ferrule cannot retract enough to separate the end-faces, thus maintaining reliable optical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating part is pre-positioned to define a rearward limiting position before any rearward pull occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when optical fibers are pulled, the ferrule encounters the regulating part as a stop, preventing excessive retraction and maintaining end-face contact without requiring active control during the pull event.
3Reliability
If the protrusion prevents the ferrule from falling out forward, then the ferrule is secured in position, but the ferrule cannot retract further rearward when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ferrule movement control into two independent directional controls: the protrusion controls forward movement by preventing the ferrule from falling out, while the regulating part controls rearward movement by defining a limiting position. This segmentation allows the ferrule to have controlled adaptability in both directions without compromising overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetric control to ferrule movement: the protrusion provides a hard stop in the forward direction to prevent falling out, while the regulating part provides a soft limit in the rearward direction that allows necessary retraction but prevents excessive movement. This asymmetric design optimizes both stability and adaptability for different movement directions.
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
The solution effectively maintains the butted state of ferrule end-faces even when the ferrule retracts further, preventing optical connection disconnection during rearward fiber pull, thus ensuring stable and reliable optical connections.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that presses the ferrule
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector includes: a ferrule that has a brim part; an elastic member that presses the ferrule; a housing that houses the ferrule retractably, and the housing has a protrusion that contacts the brim part of the ferrule, which is pressed by the elastic member in which the protrusion prevents the ferrule from falling out forward; and a regulating part that regulates a rear side limiting position of the ferrule. An interval from a position of the ferrule to the rear side limiting position when the connector is connected is smaller than a retraction amount that the ferrule has retracted when the connector is connected.