Optical Connector Plug V-Groove Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detachably connecting optical fibers and optical waveguides face challenges in achieving high connection accuracy and low loss, requiring precise processing of rectangular holes and optical waveguides to align cores accurately.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector plug features a V-groove optical waveguide with guide pins and a flat substrate, allowing for precise alignment and connection of optical fibers and waveguides, utilizing guide pin V-grooves and alignment pins to ensure accurate core alignment and low loss connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rectangular hole is used to install the optical waveguide in the MT ferrule, then the optical fiber and optical waveguide can be detachably connected, but high processing accuracy is required for the rectangular hole and optical waveguide to achieve low connection loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rectangular hole with a V-groove structure having a curved bottom surface. This curvature allows the optical waveguide to be positioned and aligned more easily through the V-shaped geometry, reducing the stringent processing accuracy requirements while maintaining detachable connection capability. The V-groove naturally guides the waveguide into proper alignment with the optical fiber cores.
2Ease of operation
If a clearance is provided between the optical waveguide and rectangular hole to allow insertion, then the waveguide can be installed, but the connection loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved bottom surface of the V-groove provides a tapered insertion path that guides the optical waveguide into close contact with the opposing optical fiber core. The curvature geometry naturally reduces the clearance gap during insertion, minimizing air gaps and reducing connection loss while still allowing easy installation.
3Measurement precision
If guide pins are fixed to the V-groove, then core alignment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide pin function with the V-groove structure by fixing the guide pins directly to the V-groove substrate. This integration merges two separate components (V-groove and guide pins) into a unified structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high alignment accuracy. The guide pins and V-groove work together as a single alignment system.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to connect an optical fiber and an optical waveguide with a low loss. The present disclosure is an optical connector plug, including: an optical waveguide having two guide pin V-grooves engraved on one surface thereof and having a cross section of one or more cores appearing between cross sections of the guide pin V-grooves on one end face thereof; two guide pins separately arranged in the two guide pin V-grooves; a flat substrate so fixed as to tuck the two guide pins in the two guide pin V-grooves on the one surface of the optical waveguide; and a fixing member equipped with the optical waveguide, the two guide pins, and the flat substrate.