Optical Ferrule Structure to Prevent Fiber Twisting Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors face challenges in accurately holding optical fibers due to twisting rotation caused by friction between the small-diameter portion of the fiber insertion hole and the optical fiber, leading to angular misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector design includes a ferrule with fiber holding portions that have a holding hole with a shorter length than the introduction portion, where the coat removed portion is inserted perpendicular to the fiber axis, and an introduction portion with a larger diameter to minimize friction, ensuring precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the fiber insertion hole has a small-diameter portion to hold the optical fiber, then the optical fiber is fixed in position, but friction between the small-diameter portion and the optical fiber causes twisting rotation and angular misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber insertion hole is divided into three distinct sections: a large-diameter introduction portion for inserting the optical fiber, a small-diameter holding portion for securing the fiber, and a relief portion with intermediate diameter connecting the two. This segmentation allows the fiber to be introduced through the large-diameter portion with minimal friction, then secured in the small-diameter holding portion, eliminating the twisting rotation problem while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief portion acts as an intermediary section between the large-diameter introduction portion and the small-diameter holding portion. This intermediate section with gradually decreasing diameter facilitates smooth transition of the optical fiber from the introduction portion to the holding portion, reducing friction and preventing twisting rotation during the insertion process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the holding hole length is increased to improve fiber holding stability, then the fiber position is maintained better, but the insertion process becomes more difficult and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber insertion hole is segmented into distinct functional sections: the introduction portion with large diameter for easy fiber insertion, the relief portion for smooth transition, and the holding portion with small diameter for stable fiber fixation. This segmentation allows the holding portion to be sufficiently long for stability while the introduction portion remains long and wide for easy insertion with minimal friction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the fiber insertion hole have different local qualities: the introduction portion has large diameter and smooth walls for easy insertion, while the holding portion has small diameter for secure fixation. The relief portion provides a gradual transition between these different local qualities, optimizing both insertion ease and holding stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of optical fibers each having a coated part and a coating-removed part, and each having a core and/or a stress applying part at a position displaced from the central axis thereof; and a ferrule having a front end surface and a back end surface that are arranged in a first direction in which the central axis extends, and a plurality of fiber holding parts extending in the first direction between the front end surface and the back end surface and respectively holding the plurality of optical fibers while being arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. Each of the plurality of fiber holding parts includes a holding hole into which the coating-removed part is inserted in the first direction to maintain the position of the coating-removed part within a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and an introduction part located between the holding hole and the back end surface and having an inner wall surface in which a virtual circle having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the holding hole is inscribed. The length of the holding hole in the first direction is shorter than the length of the introduction part in the first direction.