Unitary Alignment Pin for Optical Connector Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-fiber fiber optic connectors require high precision polishing, which is costly and difficult, to achieve low loss optical connections, and existing solutions lack efficient alignment mechanisms for optical interfaces.

Innovation Solution

The use of a unitary alignment pin with a translating element, such as a cover, that translates relative to a housing, allowing for precise alignment and optical signal transmission, reducing complexity and cost by using a single component and incorporating features like GRIN lenses for accurate alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional multi-fiber fiber optic connectors use high precision polishing to achieve low loss optical connections, then optical connection loss is reduced, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical connection lossVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into separate functional components: alignment pins for precise positioning, ferrules for fiber mounting, and covers for protection. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard precision, eliminating the need for expensive high-precision polishing of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment pins serve as intermediary elements between the connector housing and the fiber ferrules. These pins provide precise mechanical alignment, ensuring that the fiber end faces are properly positioned without requiring high-precision polishing of the connector components themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional fiber optic connectors use multiple components for alignment and protection, then alignment precision is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements are combined into integrated components. The alignment pins are formed as single-piece structures that incorporate both alignment features and mounting features. The cover integrates protection, alignment, and access functions into a single component, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover component performs multiple functions: it protects the optical interface, provides alignment guidance, enables cleaning access, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10139573B2Cable assemblies, optical connector assemblies, and optical connector subassemblies employing a unitary alignment pin and cover

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

Cable assemblies, optical connector assemblies, and optical connector subassemblies employing a translating element and a unitary alignment pin are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly includes a connector housing defining a unitary alignment pin including a first pin portion and a second pin portion, and a cover including a first bore and a second bore that allows the transmission of optical signals therethrough. The first pin portion is disposed within the first bore of cover and the second pin portion is disposed within the second bore cover so that that the cover can translate along the first pin portion and the second pin portion.