Optical Connector Fiber End Face Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical connectors face issues with optical loss and fiber end face protection due to gaps caused by step portions in ferrules and exposure of fiber ends, which can lead to scratching during assembly and optical misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design that includes a ferrule with a fixing means, such as a welded, bonded, or crimped portion, to securely position the fiber end face inside the ferrule, preventing exposure and minimizing gaps between fiber end faces, thereby reducing optical loss and protecting the fiber end face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a step portion (fiber stopper) is provided in the ferrule to prevent fiber end face exposure, then the fiber end face is protected from scratching, but a gap is formed between fiber end faces causing optical loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the protective function from the step portion and transfers it to the fiber end face itself through inclination. The fiber end face is polished at an angle of 5 to 15 degrees, allowing it to protect itself from scratching while eliminating the need for a step portion that would create gaps and optical loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the fiber end face by polishing it at a specific inclination angle (5 to 15 degrees). This parameter change allows the fiber end face to simultaneously achieve protection from scratching and maintain close contact with the opposing fiber end face, eliminating the gap problem.
2Loss of energy
If the fiber end face is exposed from the ferrule end face to reduce gaps, then optical loss is reduced, but the fiber end face may be scratched during conveyance or assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of an exposed fiber end face into a benefit by polishing it at an inclination angle. The inclined surface allows the fiber end face to remain exposed for good optical contact while the geometry itself provides protection against scratching during handling and assembly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the fiber end face is positioned inside the ferrule to prevent exposure, then scratching is prevented, but a gap is formed causing optical misalignment and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the inclination angle parameter of the fiber end face (5 to 15 degrees) to achieve both protection and precise alignment. This angular parameter allows the fiber end face to be positioned optimally without creating gaps, maintaining both protection and alignment precision.
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 suppresses optical loss and prevents fiber end face damage by maintaining precise alignment and contact between ferrule end faces, ensuring stable optical coupling and communication.
Implementation Method 1
a welded, bonded, or crimped portion, to securely position the fiber end face inside the ferrule
Implementation Method 2
a welded, bonded, or crimped portion, to securely position the fiber end face inside the ferrule
Implementation Method 3
a welded, bonded, or crimped portion, to securely position the fiber end face inside the ferrule
Implementation Method 4
The ferrule end face from which the fiber end face of the core wire is exposed is polished to be a plane inclined at a predetermined angle. Since the ferrule end face is inclined, when the housing and an opponent housing are fitted to each other, a part of the ferrule end face comes into contact with a ferrule end face of an opponent ferrule. Nevertheless, end faces of optical fibers do not come into contact with each other.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector includes: an optical fiber; a ferrule provided at an end of the optical fiber, through which a core wire of the optical fiber is inserted; a housing 9 configured to accommodate the ferrule; a fiber end face provided in the core wire of the optical fiber, located inside the ferrule from an end face of the ferrule in a state where the core wire is inserted through the ferrule; and a fixing means provided between an outer periphery of the core wire and an inner periphery of the ferrule, the fixing means configured to fix the core wire of the optical fiber to the ferrule and to fix a position of the fiber end face.