Self-aligning Optical Connector Housing with Floating Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard optical connectors are sensitive to mechanical and environmental stresses, leading to misalignment and signal faults under torque loads, and existing self-aligning solutions are expensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning optical connector housing using radial play in the insert's housing, axial suspension means, and cooperative functional surfaces between the connection and reception interfaces, allowing adaptation to various standardized connectors without complex joints or high production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard optical connectors are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but alignment reliability deteriorates under mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two independent parts: a rigid connection support and a floating insert. The insert contains the ferrule and can move independently within the housing, allowing it to self-align while the support provides structural stability. This segmentation enables the connector to maintain ease of assembly while improving alignment reliability under mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to be dynamically movable within the housing through radial play, allowing it to automatically adjust its position in response to mechanical stresses. This dynamic capability enables the connector to maintain fiber alignment even when subjected to torque or environmental changes, resolving the contradiction between static ease of assembly and dynamic alignment reliability.
2Reliability
If self-aligning solutions are implemented, then alignment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating insert automatically self-aligns with the sleeve through radial play and elastic suspension, without requiring external alignment mechanisms or complex adjustment systems. This self-service capability achieves high alignment reliability while keeping the device structure simple and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes controlled radial play (clearance) between the insert and housing, along with elastic suspension, to enable automatic alignment. By changing the physical parameters of the connection interface rather than adding complex mechanisms, the solution achieves reliable alignment while maintaining device simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex joint mechanisms are used, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies precision requirements only where necessary: the ferrule and sleeve have tight tolerances for alignment, while the connection support and housing have standard tolerances. This localized precision approach achieves the required alignment precision without the need for complex, expensive joint mechanisms throughout the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating insert uses simple elastic suspension and radial clearance rather than expensive precision joints. This approach accepts some wear and play in the support structure while maintaining alignment precision through the simple, inexpensive insert design, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
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 provides reliable and cost-effective self-alignment and protection of optical fiber connections from environmental factors, enabling operation under significant deformation without signal degradation, and can be easily adapted to different connector types.
Implementation Method 1
a spring applying an axial force on the insert to the housing
Implementation Method 2
The self-alignment function is achieved by the cooperation of the radial play of the insert in its housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fiber optic connection housing, adapted to a standard connector shape (211, 311), comprising two parts (101, 102) capable of being assembled with each other along an axial direction (100) by their open ends, which housing comprises: a. a cylindrical housing (204) formed inside one of the parts (101); b. an insert (201) capable of sliding inside said cylindrical housing and comprising a radial clearance (401) with respect to said housing; c. a connection interface (210) fixed to said insert (201); d. elastic means (220) capable of applying an axial force directed towards the second part of the housing on the insert (201); e. a receiving interface (302) fixed inside the second part (102) of the housing; f. coupling means suitable for joining the two parts of the housing and for applying the reference surface (216) of the connection interface against the receiving surface (316).