Transparent Ferrule Optical Connector for High Power Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high power optical connectors face issues with temperature increase due to light leakage, leading to potential damage and low reliability, especially during high power light transmission, as they absorb heat and have delayed temperature monitoring, resulting in increased connection loss and risk of component damage.
Innovation Solution
A high power optical connector design featuring a transparent glass ferrule and flange made of a material that transmits infrared light, equipped with a sensor for detecting light leakage, which scatters light to prevent heat accumulation and allows for early detection of connection errors, ensuring the connector does not overheat and maintains a long lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a zirconia ferrule is used to absorb light leakage, then light leakage is absorbed, but the temperature of the ferrule portion increases rapidly causing damage to adhesive and other components
Solution Approach 1:
A heat-resistant sleeve made of heat-resistant material is introduced as an intermediary component between the zirconia ferrule and the housing. This sleeve absorbs the heat generated by light leakage absorption, preventing direct thermal damage to the housing and adhesive components while allowing the ferrule to continue absorbing light leakage effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat absorption function is extracted from the ferrule and transferred to a separate heat-resistant sleeve. By separating the light leakage absorption function (ferrule) from the heat dissipation function (sleeve), the system allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Device complexity
If temperature monitoring is performed at a position apart from the connection point, then monitoring is simplified, but a time lag occurs reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature monitoring is performed in advance at the connection point before damage occurs. The monitoring position is strategically placed to detect temperature changes at the earliest stage, allowing preventive action to be taken before the adhesive or other components are damaged by excessive heat.
3Manufacturing precision
If a lens is used to focus light for connection, then connection loss is reduced, but power consumption and costs increase due to higher incident light power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the inherent properties of the optical components and their geometric arrangement to achieve self-alignment and reduce connection loss without requiring additional focusing elements. The physical contact structure and geometric configuration of the ferrule and housing work together to automatically optimize the optical path.
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 solution effectively prevents rapid temperature increases, enhances reliability by early detection of light leakage, and reduces the risk of component damage, ensuring safe and long-lasting high power light transmission connections.
Implementation Method 1
the ferrule is made of a transparent glass; and the flange is made of a transparent material which transmits a light which propagates through the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
flange made of a material that transmits infrared light
Implementation Method 3
the flange may be provided with fine particles. In this case, by the fine particles, light that transmits through the flange can be scattered
Data Source
AI summary
This high power optical connector is used at least on a light-receiving side of an optical fiber. The high power optical connector is provided with: a housing; a ferrule which is accommodated in the housing to retain the optical fiber; and a flange which is connected and fixed to the housing while being in contact with an end portion of the ferrule. The ferrule is made of a transparent glass; and the flange is made of a transparent material which transmits a light which propagates through the optical fiber.