Optical Connector Translating Element Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical coupling systems for fiber optic cables in consumer electronics face challenges with precise mechanical alignment, susceptibility to foreign substances, and high manufacturing costs due to complex designs requiring tight tolerances and collimating lenses.
Innovation Solution
The development of optical connectors with a translating element that moves within a plug housing to couple optical fibers to optical components without fiber movement, featuring a biased design that allows user-accessible cleaning and resistance to external forces, eliminating the need for collimating lenses by using non-collimating lenses or waveguides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex expanded beam lenses with air gap are used to improve alignment tolerance, then alignment tolerance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex expanded beam lens system with air gap from the connector design. Instead, it uses a simple translating element that moves linearly to achieve alignment, extracting the unnecessary optical complexity while maintaining alignment tolerance through mechanical translation rather than optical expansion
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using fixed complex optics to achieve alignment tolerance, the patent inverts the approach by using a movable simple element (translating element) that physically shifts position to accommodate alignment variations, turning a static complex optical solution into a dynamic simple mechanical solution
2Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerance mechanical structures are used to achieve precise alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and ruggedness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a translating element that can dynamically adjust its position along the optical axis through linear movement. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to achieve precise alignment without requiring permanently precision-machined components with tight tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the translating element to achieve alignment. By allowing the element to move to different positions rather than requiring fixed precision-machined locations, the system achieves alignment precision through parameter adjustment rather than through expensive tight-tolerance manufacturing
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical structures with tight tolerances are used for precise alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but susceptibility to foreign substances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translating element's ability to move dynamically allows it to maintain optimal alignment position even when foreign substances are present. The movement capability compensates for minor obstructions or misalignments caused by foreign particles, reducing susceptibility while maintaining precision
4Ease of operation
If user-accessible cleaning surface is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The translating element can move to a retracted position that exposes a cleaning surface for user access. After cleaning, the element translates back to its operational position to restore alignment stability. This dynamic positioning allows both user-friendly cleaning access and maintained alignment stability during operation
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
This solution provides a cost-effective, rugged, and user-friendly optical coupling system that maintains alignment and resistance to external interference, reducing manufacturing complexity and susceptibility to debris while ensuring reliable optical signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the translating element is configured to translate within the plug housing to optically couple an end of the at least one optical fiber to an optical interface of a mated optical connector
Implementation Method 2
When in a disengaged state, the translating element is biased forward toward a connector opening
Implementation Method 3
at least one optical component within the translating element that extends from the first coupling surface to the second coupling surface
Data Source
AI summary
Optical connectors, optical coupling systems, and methods of optical coupling are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a plug housing, at least one optical fiber, an internal coupling surface, and a translating element. The translating element has a first coupling surface, a second coupling surface, and at least one optical component within the translating element. The translating element is biased such that when the optical connector is in a disengaged state, the translating element is positioned toward an optical connector opening and the second coupling surface of the translating element is displaced from the internal coupling surface. When the optical connector is in an engaged state, the translating element is positioned such that the second coupling surface of the translating element is positioned at the internal coupling surface and the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical component.