Fiber alignment device, ferrule device and method of manufacturing the ferrule device

Abstract

A fiber alignment device includes: a fixation block; an alignment element having a first end portion fixed in the fixation block and a second end portion formed with a protrudent platform, an alignment groove being formed in the alignment element and extending to an end of the protrudent platform in a central axis of the alignment element; an alignment sleeve having a first end portion fitted on the second end portion of the alignment element; and a spring element having a first end extending into the alignment sleeve and pressed against the alignment groove in the protrudent platform. The front end of the ferrule assembly is inserted into the alignment sleeve and when the fiber is inserted into the alignment groove of the alignment element, the position accuracy of the fiber in the fiber bore of the ferrule assembly is calibrated to reach position accuracy of the fiber in the alignment groove of the alignment element. A high precision fiber optic connector may be manufactured with a low precision ferrule. The spring element is pressed against the fiber inserted into the alignment groove, so that an eccentricity orientation of a center of the fiber with respect to a center of the alignment element is adjusted to a predetermined orientation and held in the predetermined orientation. Thereby, it may eliminate a process of identifying and adjusting the eccentricity orientation of the center of the fiber.