Rectangular Capillary Tube for Optical Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting optical waveguide devices and capillary tubes on a flat surface face challenges such as height differences leading to gaps and saccadic movements, and require complex alignment due to non-central insertion holes, resulting in instability and early deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A capillary tube with a substantially rectangular cross-section and aligned insertion holes, where the top-surface and rear-surface end portions are at the same level as the optical component, allowing stable mounting and alignment, and featuring partial cylindrical portions for secure gripping and precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical waveguide device and glass capillary tube are mounted on the same flat surface, then the alignment of optical axes can be achieved, but a height difference is generated causing gap formation and saccadic movements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a height adjustment mechanism that adds a vertical dimension to the mounting structure. By incorporating an adjustable support with height regulation capability, the system compensates for the height difference between the optical waveguide device and glass capillary tube, eliminating gaps and preventing saccadic movements while maintaining optical axis alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mounting parameters by introducing adjustable height and position parameters. The support structure allows independent adjustment of height, lateral position, and angular orientation, enabling the system to adapt to different height differences and achieve both stable mounting and precise alignment simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an auxiliary member is fixed to the upper surface of the optical waveguide device, then the height difference is reduced, but saccadic movements are prevented only on the connecting end
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the support structure multi-functional by integrating multiple adjustment capabilities (height, position, orientation) into a single device. This universal support can accommodate various mounting requirements and provide comprehensive stabilization for the entire optical component assembly, not just the connecting end.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable support acts as an intermediary between the mounting surface and the optical components. It mediates the height difference issue and provides a stable foundation for both the optical waveguide device and glass capillary tube, ensuring overall structural reliability and preventing saccadic movements throughout the entire assembly.
3Device complexity
If the insertion hole is formed at the center of the capillary tube, then the structure is simple, but alignment with non-central optical axis of waveguide device becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary alignment by allowing independent positional adjustment of the glass capillary tube relative to the optical waveguide device. The adjustable support enables pre-positioning of the capillary tube's insertion hole to match the non-central optical axis of the waveguide device before final fixation, simplifying the overall alignment process while achieving precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustability to the mounting system, allowing the position and orientation of the glass capillary tube to be changed during assembly. This dynamic capability enables easy adaptation to non-central optical axes without requiring complex pre-manufacturing modifications to the capillary tube structure itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A glass capillary tube 1 is connected and fixed in a straight line to an optical component 5 having a substantially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to an optical axis 4a. Moreover, a top-surface side end portion 9 and a rear-surface side end portion 8 of an exterior surface 7 of the glass capillary tube 1 are positioned at the same level as the top surface and the rear surface of the exterior surface of the optical component 5 in the height-wise direction, respectively, while the central axis of an insertion hole 3, which is provided in the glass capillary tube 1 and into which an optical fiber 2 is inserted and fixed, is matched with the optical axis 4a of the optical component 5.