Remote Grip Optical Fiber Connector Thermal Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors for outside plant field installations face challenges such as awkward and time-consuming adhesive-based mounting, require skilled assembly, and are prone to performance issues due to temperature-induced refractive index changes and differential thermal expansion, leading to potential fiber damage.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design featuring a housing with a collar body and ferrule that includes a flexible structure and a gripping device with a ductile material hinge, allowing axial movement independent of the fiber, and a cam pin mechanism for thermal balance, distributing forces to maintain fiber alignment and reduce stress over a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to mount ferrule-based connectors on optical fiber, then the connector can be securely mounted, but the assembly process becomes awkward and time consuming in field installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive bonding step entirely by extracting the harmful function (adhesive application) and replacing it with a mechanical gripping element that secures the fiber through direct physical engagement, eliminating the time-consuming adhesive application and curing process while maintaining secure mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical gripping system that uses a gripping element to physically clamp and hold the optical fiber, substituting chemical processes with a purely mechanical solution that is faster and more suitable for field installations
2Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to attach fiber to ferrule, then secure connection is achieved, but the assembly requires higher degree of skill and is more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the adhesive bonding process entirely, replacing it with a simple mechanical gripping element that requires no special skills for application, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable fiber-to-ferrule connection
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping element is designed to automatically secure the fiber through its mechanical structure without requiring skilled manipulation or additional assembly steps, allowing even novice installers to achieve reliable connections through simple insertion and engagement
3Reliability
If index matching gel is used to fill the gap between fiber stub and terminated fiber, then connection is achieved, but temperature variations cause refractive index changes leading to increased reflections and decreased performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the index matching gel entirely by designing a mechanical gripping system that maintains direct physical contact between fiber and ferrule without requiring any gel filler, thereby eliminating the temperature-sensitive refractive index issue while maintaining reliable optical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical gel-based connection system with a purely mechanical gripping system that secures fiber through physical clamping, substituting the temperature-vulnerable optical path with a mechanically stable structure that performs consistently across temperature ranges
4Reliability
If fiber projection from ferrule end is too great, then connection is achieved, but excessive forces are applied to fiber end during mating causing bond line fracture and mating failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible gripping element that can dynamically adjust its position and apply force distribution along the fiber, allowing the system to accommodate varying fiber lengths while maintaining appropriate force levels that prevent bond line fracture during mating operations
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping element's flexibility allows it to change its mechanical parameters (force distribution, contact points) based on the fiber projection length, automatically adapting to different installation conditions while maintaining optimal force levels that protect the bond line integrity
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
The design provides enhanced thermal stability and reduced risk of fiber damage by maintaining fiber alignment and applying appropriate forces, ensuring reliable connections across a broad temperature range without the need for adhesives or skilled assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a second portion of the received gripping element engages an elastic element disposed in the housing portion of the collar body. In one aspect, the elastic element comprises a spring arm.
Implementation Method 2
the gripping element comprises a ductile material having a focus hinge that couples first and second element legs, each of the legs including a fiber gripping channel to clamp an optical fiber received therein upon actuation by the actuating cap.
Implementation Method 3
Another effect that can occur is movement of the fiber ends relative to each other, caused by differential thermal expansion over the temperature range.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the housing. The collar body includes a ferrule securely disposed in an opening of the collar body, the ferrule including a central bore that defines an axis, and a housing portion disposed in a generally central portion of the collar body. The housing portion includes an opening to receive a gripping device to grip an optical fiber. The ferrule is axially moveable independent of the axial movement of the optical fiber and gripping device. The optical connector can be thermally balanced over a temperature range of at least 100° C.