Optical Connector Plug Frame for Low-Loss Fiber Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors face challenges in securing a wide enough space for bending optical fibers, particularly during on-site assembly where temperature changes can cause movement and require flexible fiber management, and the limited space for bending can lead to increased light loss.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design with an integrally formed plug frame that includes a guide portion with a conical-shaped opening and a partition wall protrusion, allowing for a wider space for bending and reducing the number of components to minimize seam interference, along with a mechanical splice and spring arrangement to accommodate fiber movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional optical connector design is used, then the structure is simpler, but the space for bending optical fibers is insufficient leading to increased light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The plug frame is divided into distinct functional regions: a connecting portion accommodation portion for housing the mechanical splice and ferrule, and a guide portion for fiber guidance. These regions are separated by a partition wall with a cylindrical protrusion, creating dedicated spaces that provide sufficient volume for fiber bending while maintaining organized structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion features a curved face that spreads in a conical shape from the partition wall, creating three-dimensional fiber bending space. The horseshoe-shaped opening portion allows fiber insertion while the conical curvature provides radial bending allowance, utilizing multiple spatial dimensions to accommodate fiber movement without increasing overall connector footprint.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used in the connector, then the functionality is improved, but the number of seams increases causing interference with optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall with cylindrical protrusion integrates the separation function between connecting portion and guide portion into a single structural element. This merging of functions reduces the number of discrete components and interfaces, minimizing seam interference while maintaining reliable functional separation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is designed for field assembly, then the adaptability to on-site conditions is improved, but the space constraints for fiber bending increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring biases the mechanical splice to maintain optimal fiber alignment dynamically, accommodating temperature changes and mechanical movements that occur during field assembly. The flexible design allows the connector to adapt to on-site conditions while the partition wall structure ensures sufficient bending space is preserved.
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical connector, a connector main body includes an integrally formed plug frame. The plug frame has a connecting portion accommodation portion accommodating a ferrule, a mechanical splice, and a spring biasing the mechanical splice toward the ferrule, and a guide portion guiding the optical fiber extending from an optical cable. The connecting portion accommodation portion and the guide portion are partitioned via a partition wall having a cylindrical protrusion protruding into the connecting portion accommodation portion. The guide portion has a curved face extending in a conical shape from the partition wall.