Optical Connector Housing Structure for Ferrule Rotation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors with non-axisymmetric cross-sectional structures, such as multi-core or polarization maintaining fibers, face challenges in maintaining optical connections under external forces due to complex structures and increased component counts, necessitating improved azimuthal positioning and rotation prevention.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design featuring a ferrule with a flange portion and a housing that includes elastic members and deformable inner wall surfaces, allowing for azimuthal positioning and rotation prevention through surface contacts without increasing component count, using a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an Oldham coupling mechanism is adopted to achieve azimuthal positioning and rotation prevention, then the optical connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional coupling components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation prevention function from a separate coupling component and integrates it directly into the housing structure through the inner wall surface. The housing's inner wall surface is designed to contact the ferrule's outer surface, preventing rotation without requiring an additional coupling component. This simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the reliability of optical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the housing and the coupling component by integrating the rotation prevention mechanism directly into the housing structure. The inner wall surface of the housing serves dual purposes: accommodating the ferrule and preventing its rotation. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate coupling components, reducing device complexity while maintaining connection stability.
2Reliability
If multiple components are added to prevent rotation and maintain positioning, then the optical connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (accommodation, positioning, and rotation prevention) into a single housing structure. The inner wall surface is designed with specific geometric features that simultaneously achieve ferrule accommodation and rotation prevention, eliminating the need for separate coupling components and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to perform multiple functions: accommodating the ferrule, maintaining positioning, and preventing rotation. The inner wall surface serves as both a structural support and a rotation prevention mechanism, reducing the total component count and manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable optical connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling component is provided between ferrule and flange to enable floating, then the optical connection adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate coupling component and extracts the floating capability function directly into the housing-ferrule interface. The elastic member is positioned to apply force between the ferrule and housing, enabling floating without requiring an additional coupling component between the ferrule and flange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the floating mechanism with the existing housing and ferrule structure. The elastic member is integrated into the housing assembly, and its interaction with the ferrule directly provides the floating capability, eliminating the need for a separate coupling component and simplifying the overall device structure.
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 design achieves reliable azimuthal positioning of the ferrule around the central axis, reduces manufacturing costs, and maintains optical connections under external impacts by preventing rotation and connection loss, while minimizing damage to housing components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that is accommodated in the housing and applies an elastic force to the ferrule in a longitudinal direction of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The housing is configured such that at least a part of the housing including the inner wall surface is deformed by engagement between the housing and the adapter, and the inner wall surface prevents rotation of the flange portion with respect to the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical connector (1) includes: an optical fiber (2) that includes a glass fiber (20) and a resin coating portion (21) covering the glass fiber (20); a ferrule (3) that includes a ferrule main body (32) holding the glass fiber (20) exposed from the resin coating portion (21) and a flange portion (31) fixed to the ferrule main body (32); a housing (4) that accommodates the ferrule (3) and includes an inner wall surface (142, 143) facing the ferrule (3); and an elastic member (12) that applies an elastic force to the ferrule (3) in a longitudinal direction of the housing (4). The housing (4) has a space (C) between the inner wall surface (142, 143) and the flange portion (31). At least a part of the housing (4) including the inner wall surface (142, 143) is deformed by engagement between the housing (4) and an adapter (50). The inner wall surface (142, 143) prevent rotation of the flange portion (31) with respect to the housing (4).