Pigtail Optical Receptacle With Widened Ferrule Through-Hole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pigtail-type optical receptacles face challenges in downsizing without compromising the reliability of optical fiber connections, as existing designs often lead to increased length and encroachment on electrical circuit space due to the configuration of ferrules and holders, which can result in undesirable force concentration on optical fibers, affecting their strength and loss.
Innovation Solution
A pigtail-type optical receptacle design featuring a ferrule with a through-hole having distinct regions, where the width widens towards the rear end, and a holder that engages the ferrule's outer surface, allowing for shorter lengths by housing the ferrule and sleeve within a housing, while an elastic member bonds the optical fiber and protective member to the holder, distributing forces and reducing stress concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ferrule and holder are extended in length to position the rear end surface of the ferrule on the rear end side of the press-fit region, then the concentration of external force on the optical fiber is reduced, but the longitudinal length of the receptacle main body portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole of the ferrule is divided into a first region (front portion) and a second region (rear portion), with each region having different width characteristics. The first region has a width corresponding to the optical fiber width, while the second region widens toward the rear end. This segmentation allows the optical fiber to be securely held in the first region while the widened second region provides space for the holder to engage the ferrule without requiring extended length
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the ferrule and holder in the longitudinal direction to reduce force concentration, the invention transitions to a radial dimension solution by widening the through-hole in the second region. This radial expansion provides the necessary engagement space for the holder while maintaining a compact longitudinal profile of the receptacle main body
2Reliability
If the ferrule and holder are extended in length to reduce force concentration, then the strength and loss of the optical fiber are improved, but the space for electrical circuits is encroached
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole of the ferrule is designed with different local qualities: the first region has a narrower width matching the optical fiber dimensions for secure positioning, while the second region has a widened width to accommodate holder engagement. This local differentiation allows the holder to engage the ferrule effectively without requiring extended length, thereby preserving space for electrical circuits while maintaining optical fiber strength and minimizing loss
3Reliability
If the holder is positioned to engage the ferrule in a way that reduces force concentration, then the reliability is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule's through-hole is integrated with differentiated width regions that directly provide the engagement interface for the holder. The second region's widened portion serves dual purposes: it accommodates the holder's engagement while also contributing to force distribution. This merging of functions within the ferrule structure itself reduces the need for additional complex holder designs or extended configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A pigtail-type optical receptacle includes a ferrule, an optical fiber, a protective member, a sleeve, and a holder. The ferrule has a through-hole extending in an axial direction. The optical fiber is held by the ferrule in a state of being inserted into the through-hole and extends outside the ferrule from a rear end side of the ferrule. The protective member covers a portion of the optical fiber extending outside the ferrule. The sleeve engages an outer surface of the ferrule. The through-hole includes a first region and a second region. The second region is disposed rearward of the first region. The width in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the through-hole in the second region widens toward the rear end side of the ferrule. The holder holds a portion of the outer surface of the ferrule rearward of the first region.