Rotatable Optical Connector for Underwater Rapid Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater optical connectors require complex and precise alignment mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom, making them unsuitable for rapid connection in environments with limited time and strong sea currents, such as hydrokinetic turbine installations.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector with a rotatable support and equidistant collimation elements that simplifies the alignment process by allowing the support to adopt a specific angular position, facilitating easy and reliable optical coupling between two optical fibre assemblies without the need for complex positioning systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment mechanisms with multiple degrees of freedom are used, then optical coupling precision is improved, but device complexity and connection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanism is segmented into modular components: a rotatable support structure holding collimation elements, a bearing for rotation, and angular positioning members. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The support is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the collimation elements' angular position. This dynamic capability enables precise optical coupling through rotation about a single axis, replacing complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex positioning systems are used, then optical coupling precision is improved, but connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimation elements are pre-positioned on the rotatable support at equidistant positions from the rotation axis. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the support rotates to the correct angular position, precise optical coupling is achieved immediately, eliminating time-consuming adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adjusting each collimation element individually to achieve alignment, the invention inverts the approach by rotating the entire support structure to a predetermined angular position. This single rotational action aligns all collimation elements simultaneously, dramatically reducing connection time.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple degrees of freedom are provided for alignment, then optical coupling precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning members are designed with asymmetric features (protrusions and complementary recesses) that engage at specific angular positions. This asymmetric design provides precise angular positioning through a simple rotational motion, making the system easy to operate while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular positioning members automatically engage their complementary counterparts when the support rotates to the correct angular position, providing self-alignment and self-positioning. This eliminates the need for complex control systems or manual adjustments, improving ease of operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment mechanisms are used, then optical coupling precision is improved, but reliability in challenging environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary complex components from the alignment mechanism, retaining only the essential rotatable support with angular positioning members. This simplified structure has fewer moving parts and potential failure points, improving reliability in challenging underwater environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanisms to achieve alignment, the invention inverts to a simple rotational system with predetermined angular positions. This inversion creates a more robust system that is less susceptible to environmental factors such as strong sea currents, enhancing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector (20) includes a plurality of collimation elements (23a, 23b) which are associated with a plurality of optical fibres (21a, 21b), respectively, and which are carried by a support (24). The support is mounted for rotation in a bearing (27) about a rotation axis (z), the collimation elements (23a) are arranged in the support so as to be equidistant from this rotation axis, and the support has at least one member for angular positioning (28) about the axis. The invention also relates to an optical connection assembly (10) including a first such optical connector and a second optical connector (20′) which is configured to be nested coaxially with the first one. An electrical connector may be provided with such an optical connector, and a connection system may be provided with such an electrical connector.