Bendable Latch Arm for Optical Connector Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical connection systems for connecting daughterboards to optical fiber backplanes face challenges in maintaining secure and efficient connections due to stringent insertion loss requirements and complex interconnections, particularly in high-bandwidth applications.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical fiber connection system employs a connector design with a ferrule housing portion and a latching mechanism, featuring a bendable latch arm and a latching control element that resiliently bends and rebounds to secure and release the connection, ensuring stable optical connections between daughterboards and backplanes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latching mechanism is used to secure the connector connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is segmented into two distinct components: a bendable latch arm on the first connector and a substantially non-bendable latch arm on the second connector. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized functions, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability through their cooperative interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional latching approach by making one latch arm bendable (first connector) and the other substantially non-bendable (second connector). This inversion allows the bendable arm to provide the necessary flexibility for engagement while the rigid arm provides structural stability, resolving the complexity-reliability tradeoff.
2Reliability
If a secure latching connection is implemented, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism incorporates dynamic elements through the bendable latch arm that can resiliently transition between latched and unlatched positions. This dynamic capability allows the connection to be securely maintained during operation while enabling easy disconnection when needed, balancing stability with operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The bendable latch arm changes its physical state (bent vs. straight configuration) to transition between latched and unlatched positions. This parameter change allows a single component to provide both secure connection and easy release functionality, improving ease of operation without compromising connection stability.
3Productivity
If multiple fiber interconnections are used to support high-bandwidth applications, then data transmission capacity is improved, but insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connection is segmented into multiple individual fiber interconnections, each with its own ferrule and alignment features. This segmentation allows for precise alignment of each fiber pair, minimizing insertion loss while supporting high-bandwidth applications through the aggregate capacity of multiple fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design provides universal alignment features and ferrule configurations that work across all fiber positions in the multi-fiber assembly. This universality ensures consistent, low insertion loss performance across all fiber interconnections, enabling high-bandwidth applications without penalty from connection losses.
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
This design enhances the reliability and efficiency of optical connections by preventing separation of connectors while allowing for easy disconnection, thereby maintaining low insertion loss and supporting high-bandwidth applications effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a bendable latch arm biased to a latching position and resiliently bendable from the latching position to an unlatching position
Data Source
AI summary
Connection systems for use in fiber optic communication networks and systems are disclosed. Embodiments of backplane connection systems are disclosed that include a daughterboard connector that can make with a backplane connector. One of the connectors can include a movable latch element that can bend a bendable arm on the other connector to latch and unlatch the connectors. A connector can include a movable blocking element that prevents a latch control element from moving its full range when the connectors are disconnected. A latch control element can have a range of motion along which it maintains the connection system in a latched configuration. A mounting system is also disclosed that permits a connector to flow or move along the board in a limited range of motion with respect to three axes.