Optical Connector Ferrule for Rapid Composite Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting composite fibers to external devices for recording brain neural activity in small animals are time-consuming and require skilled operators due to the manual handling of fibers with diameters of 200 to 500 μm, necessitating a more efficient and quicker connection mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector ferrule and composite fiber connecting assembly feature a tubular stationary ferrule with a through-hole for the composite fiber and a connecting ferrule with a through-hole for an additional optical fiber, allowing easy alignment and connection to an external device using a sleeve for coaxial alignment, facilitating quicker and more precise connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of composite fibers with diameters of 200 to 500 μm is used for connection, then connection can be performed with simple equipment, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ferrule as an intermediary component that receives and positions the composite fiber, and a sleeve as a mediator that aligns the ferrule with the external device. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for skilled manual fiber handling while maintaining precise alignment, thereby increasing connection speed without requiring operator expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the composite fiber, the ferrule (which holds the fiber), and the sleeve (which provides alignment). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the connection process by reducing the complexity of manual manipulation required.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of composite fiber is performed, then equipment complexity is reduced, but connection precision and time are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule acts as an intermediary that pre-positions the composite fiber with high precision, and the sleeve serves as a mediator that ensures accurate alignment between the ferrule and the external device. This intermediary alignment mechanism achieves high manufacturing precision while keeping the overall device complexity low through simple mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule pre-aligns the composite fiber before the actual connection is made. This preliminary alignment action ensures that when the sleeve is engaged, precise alignment is already achieved, reducing the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during the connection process.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector ferrule, an optical connector, and a composite fiber connecting assembly are provided. The optical connector ferrule includes a stationary ferrule having a first through-hole, a composite fiber, and a connecting ferrule having a second through-hole. The composite fiber includes a first optical fiber and a signal wire, and is placed in the first through-hole in the stationary ferrule. The connecting ferrule includes a conductive path. The stationary ferrule has a second end face abutting a third end face of the connecting ferrule. The first optical fiber has an end connected to an end of the second through-hole. The signal wire and the conductive path are connected to each other.