Optical Fiber Ferrule Adhesive Segmentation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ferrules with adhesive-filling sections that are open only on one surface are prone to deformation under high-temperature, high-humidity conditions, leading to increased transmission loss due to peeling of optical fiber end surfaces from the adhesive-filling section.
Innovation Solution
A ferrule design with an adhesive-filling section that includes both upper and lower side openings, where the lower side opening is wider than the optical fiber hole row width and lacks a bottom wall, allowing for balanced expansion and contraction of the adhesive, reducing deformation and peeling of optical fiber end surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the adhesive-filling section is open only on one surface, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ferrule deforms and warps when the adhesive expands and contracts, causing optical fiber end surfaces to peel off
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive-filling section is divided into multiple independent opening sections (first opening section and second opening section) located on different surfaces of the ferrule. This segmentation allows the adhesive to expand and contract independently in different directions, preventing warping deformation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular opening design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-surface opening (one-dimensional approach) to multi-surface openings (three-dimensional approach). By distributing opening sections across different surfaces of the ferrule, the adhesive expansion and contraction forces are balanced in multiple spatial dimensions, preventing warping deformation that would occur with single-surface opening.
2Ease of manufacture
If the adhesive-filling section is open only on one surface, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but transmission loss increases due to peeling of optical fiber end surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive-filling section is segmented into multiple opening sections on different surfaces, allowing controlled adhesive distribution. This segmentation enables precise control over adhesive placement and prevents excessive adhesive accumulation that would cause warping and peeling, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while keeping the process relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding opening sections on multiple surfaces (transitioning from 1D to 3D opening distribution), the invention achieves better control over adhesive behavior during expansion and contraction. This multi-dimensional opening arrangement prevents warping-induced peeling, ensuring precise alignment of optical fiber end surfaces with the ferrule inner wall.
3Strength
If the adhesive expands and contracts under high-temperature, high-humidity environment, then the adhesive performs its bonding function, but the ferrule warps and optical fiber end surfaces peel off
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive-filling section is segmented into multiple opening sections on different surfaces, allowing the adhesive to expand and contract independently in different directions. This segmentation distributes the thermal and humidity-induced expansion forces, preventing concentrated stress that would cause warping while maintaining bonding strength between the adhesive and optical fiber end surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
By distributing opening sections across multiple surfaces of the ferrule, the invention creates a multi-dimensional balance for adhesive expansion and contraction. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the adhesive to maintain bonding strength while accommodating environmental changes without causing warping or peeling, thus preserving structural stability.
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 design effectively reduces transmission loss by minimizing deformation and peeling of optical fiber end surfaces, ensuring stable optical signal transmission even under varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive is filled and hardened in an adhesive-filling section while end surfaces of optical fibers are caused to abut onto an inner wall of the adhesive-filling section
Implementation Method 2
when an adhesive expands and contracts under a high-temperature, high-humidity environment
Data Source
AI summary
A ferrule holds end portions of optical fibers and includes: a plurality of optical fiber holes arranged in a predetermined direction, wherein the optical fibers are inserted into the plurality of optical fiber holes; and an adhesive-filling section that is filled with an adhesive and internally includes an opening surface of the plurality of optical fiber holes and an opposed surface opposed to the opening surface. The adhesive-filling section includes an upper side opening and a lower side opening, the upper side opening opens on a top surface that is a surface on a side from which the adhesive is filled, and the lower side opening opens on a lower surface that is a surface on a side opposite to the top surface.