Optical Connector Member With Inward Positioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical connectors face issues with increased manufacturing costs due to polishing requirements, potential damage to optical waveguide surfaces, and high optical connection losses, especially when connecting with optical fibers that protrude, leading to scratches and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector member for optical waveguides featuring a housing with a positioner that spaces the optical waveguide's end surface inward from the connector's front end surface by 5 to 50 μm, preventing direct contact and eliminating the need for polishing, while maintaining accurate alignment through protruding or recessed shapes and tapered surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical waveguide end surface is positioned flush with the connector front end surface, then direct optical coupling is achieved, but the optical waveguide surface is damaged by repeated connections and polishing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the optical waveguide end surface inward from the connector front end surface, creating a protective air gap that prevents direct contact between the optical waveguide and the mating connector. This cushioning distance of 5-50 μm protects the optical waveguide surface from damage during repeated connections while maintaining reliable optical coupling through the small gap.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical waveguide end surface is polished to remove burrs and contaminants, then optical connection quality is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and surface flaws may be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic adhesive agent burrs and contaminants from the optical coupling path by positioning the optical waveguide end surface inward, away from the connector front end surface where adhesive burrs are generated. This eliminates the need for polishing operations while maintaining clean optical coupling surfaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the optical waveguide end surface is positioned inward from the connector front end surface, then surface damage is prevented, but optical connection loss increases due to the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the positioning distance parameter, setting it to 5-50 μm inward from the connector front end surface. This specific range is chosen to balance two competing requirements: providing enough distance to prevent surface damage from direct contact, while keeping the gap small enough to maintain acceptable optical coupling efficiency. The parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between protection and performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector member for an optical waveguide includes a housing provided with a space portion for holding an end portion of an optical waveguide. In the housing, protruding portions serving as a positioner are provided on left-hand and right-hand side wall portions defining the space portion. Notches in the optical waveguide are fitted on the protruding portions, whereby a front end surface of the end portion of the optical waveguide is positioned at a location a predetermined distance inward from a front end surface of the housing. This configuration achieves optical coupling without bringing the end surface of the optical waveguide into direct abutment with an end surface of a target optical connector.