Optical Connector Reflector Alignment via Placement Stage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical connectors with reflectors face challenges in minimizing transmission loss between terminated optical fibers and optical devices, particularly due to stress-induced bending of optical fibers caused by adhesive shrinkage.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector with a main body made of optically transparent resin, featuring a reflector, a groove portion, an optical fiber insertion hole, and an optical fiber placement stage that projects from the groove's side surface, which positions the optical fiber to prevent bending and maintain alignment, even under stress from adhesive shrinkage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the optical fiber in the groove portion, then the optical fiber is fixed in position, but the adhesive shrinkage causes stress-induced bending of the optical fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber placement stage is formed in advance within the groove portion before adhesive application. This preliminary structure provides a stress-free support surface that positions the optical fiber correctly before the adhesive is applied, preventing the fiber from being subjected to bending stress during the adhesive curing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber placement stage acts as an intermediary element between the groove portion and the optical fiber. It provides a dedicated support surface that mediates the interaction between the adhesive and the optical fiber, allowing the adhesive to secure the fiber without directly causing stress-induced bending.
2Ease of operation
If the optical fiber is inserted from the back surface of the optical connector, then the optical fiber can be laid out in parallel with the circuit board, but transmission loss occurs due to misalignment with the reflector
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber placement stage extends from the side surface of the groove portion into the optical fiber insertion hole, creating a three-dimensional positioning structure. This dimensional extension ensures that the optical fiber is correctly positioned in both the lateral direction (for parallel layout with circuit board) and the depth direction (for alignment with the reflector), thereby eliminating misalignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber placement stage provides localized support and positioning at the critical interface between the optical fiber insertion hole and the groove portion. This localized quality enhancement ensures precise alignment of the optical fiber with the reflector only where needed, while maintaining the overall convenience of back-surface insertion and parallel layout.
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 transmission loss by maintaining the optical fiber's alignment and preventing bending, ensuring efficient light reflection between the optical fiber and the optical device, thereby enhancing the connector's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector configured to perform at least one of the reflecting of light from the optical fiber to an undersurface of the main body and the reflecting of light incident onto the undersurface of the main body to the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical connector which terminates an optical fiber inside the optical connector. The optical connector includes a main body. The main body includes: a reflector for reflecting light; a groove portion formed in a top surface of the main body; an optical fiber insertion hole opened in the groove portion, the optical fiber being inserted in the optical fiber insertion hole; an optical fiber placement stage provided in the groove portion, a front end portion of the optical fiber being placed on the optical fiber placement stage. The groove portion includes the optical fiber insertion hole formed at a back inner surface of the groove. The optical fiber placement stage is formed by projecting from the side surface of the groove portion.