Polishing Jig Protrusions for Ferrule Flange Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polishing devices for optical connectors require manual cleaning to prevent dust accumulation, which can lead to inclined ferrule fixation and oblique polishing, complicating the process and increasing the need for precise cleaning after each polishing operation.
Innovation Solution
A polishing jig with a holding member featuring protrusions or cutouts on its upper surface to support the ferrule's flange, reducing contact area and simplifying cleaning by minimizing the areas that need attention after polishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ferrule is inserted through a through hole of a ferrule-fixing section with a large contact area between the flange and the fixing section, then the ferrule is securely fixed during polishing, but dust accumulates on the contact surface requiring frequent cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface between the flange and the fixing section is segmented into multiple discrete contact points (protrusions) rather than a continuous large-area contact. This segmentation reduces the total contact area where dust can accumulate, while still providing sufficient fixation stability through distributed contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful element (dust accumulation areas) by reducing the contact surface area between the flange and the fixing section. By taking out the excessive contact area, the design minimizes the regions where dust can be trapped, thereby reducing cleaning frequency.
2Ease of operation
If the contact area between the flange and the fixing section is reduced to minimize cleaning areas, then dust accumulation is reduced, but the ferrule may become unstable during polishing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating the contact function at specific localized protrusions rather than distributing it uniformly across a large area. These localized contact points are strategically positioned to provide stable fixation while minimizing the total contact area, thus reducing dust accumulation zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing section combines protrusions with recesses to create a composite structural interface. The protrusions provide contact points for stability, while the recesses prevent dust accumulation and facilitate cleaning. This composite structure achieves both fixation reliability and ease of maintenance.
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
Facilitates easy cleaning of the polishing jig by reducing the contact area between the ferrule and the jig, preventing dust-induced inclination and ensuring precise polishing, thus streamlining the polishing process.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of protrusions are adapted to oppose a flange of the ferrule such that the flange is brought into contact only with respective upper surfaces of the plurality of protrusions of the holding member
Implementation Method 2
a gap is formed between the flange and the upper surface of the holding member body
Data Source
AI summary
A polishing jig 10 includes a holding member 11 for holding a ferrule 31 when polishing a front end face of the ferrule 31. The holding member 11 is formed by a holding member body 12 having a through hole 121 through which the ferrule 31 is inserted, and protrusions 16 and 17 which are provided on an upper surface of the holding member body 12, for supporting a flange 33 of the ferrule 31 when the ferrule 31 is inserted into the through hole 121.