Self-Floating Optical Fiber Connector for Multi-Directional Core Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor optical fiber connectors have a single axial floating direction, leading to high assembly requirements and a high failure rate due to inconsistent axial sizes of optical module plugs from different manufacturers, causing potential fiber breakage and signal interruption.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector with a self-floating core featuring a supporting sleeve made of elastic material, allowing radial bending and a two-stage floating function, comprising a supporting sleeve with grooves for micro-deflection and a connecting bulge for tensile strength, along with a bracket and outer housing for adjustable locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single axial floating direction is used in existing connectors, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different manufacturer requirements is poor and assembly failure rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single axial floating to multi-dimensional floating by adding radial floating capability through the elastic supporting sleeve with grooves, enabling the core to float in both axial and radial directions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The floating mechanism is segmented into two independent stages: the bonding sleeve provides axial floating through stepped positioning, while the elastic supporting sleeve provides radial floating through groove-based bending, allowing each segment to address specific adaptation needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If axial adjustment distance is not an integer multiple of locking groove center distance, then the connector can accommodate non-standard positions, but the locking pawl falls into wrong locking grooves causing fiber tension or compression
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic supporting sleeve acts as an intermediary that absorbs positioning deviations through radial bending, preventing the locking pawl from falling into incorrect locking grooves and protecting the fiber from tension or compression forces
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure in the elastic supporting sleeve provides beforehand cushioning by allowing radial bending to compensate for positioning errors before they can cause fiber damage or connection failure
3Strength
If hollow bundle tube or armor bundle tube is used to protect branch optical fiber, then the fiber is protected from external damage, but the limited space causes excessive bending and fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic supporting sleeve with groove structure provides flexible protection that allows radial bending while maintaining fiber integrity, unlike rigid hollow or armor bundle tubes that constrain the fiber and cause breakage
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 self-floating core enables multi-directional floating, simplifies assembly, reduces failure rates, and ensures reliable connection and signal integrity by accommodating varying plug sizes and lengths, improving maintainability.
Implementation Method 1
a supporting sleeve made of an elastic material, allowing radial bending
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an optical fiber connector having a self-floating core, including a plug component, a bonding sleeve, and also a supporting sleeve made of an elastic material. One end of the supporting sleeve is connected with the plug component, and the other end is connected with the bonding sleeve; and an end portion of an optical cable is nested in the supporting sleeve, and an internal cavity, through which an optical fiber passes, is formed in the supporting sleeve. In the present invention, by using the supporting sleeve as a branch part between the bonding sleeve and the plug component, on the basis of retaining a stepped floating structure of the bonding sleeve, a secondary floating function is added to achieve a two-stage floating function and compensate a primary floating structure of a plug; and meanwhile, an core plug can swing in any radial direction to achieve a floating function in multiple directions, which solves the problem that an original structure can only swing axially in a single ditrction, and solves the problems of a too high assembly requirement and a high failure rate in product use of an existing connector at the same time.