Cam-Locked Tube Coupling Without External Locking Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fibre optic cable connectors face conflicting requirements of being able to visually confirm the presence of a fibre bundle while also needing to be highly impact resistant, which is challenging due to the use of opaque plastics and external ribs that compromise transparency and durability.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a tube coupling design where the locking of the collet is achieved solely by interaction between the body and the collet, eliminating the need for external locking clips or rings. This design provides a low-profile, impact-resistant, and dirt-proof mechanism for securing the tube, while also allowing for visual inspection of the fibre bundle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connectors are made from opaque plastic to achieve high impact resistance, then impact resistance is improved, but visual confirmation of fibre bundle becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is divided into two distinct material zones: an opaque impact-resistant outer portion and a transparent viewing portion. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function - the opaque portion provides mechanical strength and impact resistance, while the transparent portion enables visual inspection of the fibre bundle without compromising either requirement.
2Strength
If external ribs are added to reinforce the connector for impact resistance, then impact resistance is improved, but dirt and stones are trapped between the ribs causing damage and inspection difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful external ribs are completely removed from the connector design. Instead of adding reinforcement elements that create dirt traps, the patent achieves impact resistance through the inherent properties of the opaque plastic material and the structural integrity of the simplified rib-free body, thereby eliminating the problem of dirt and stone accumulation while maintaining mechanical strength.
3Reliability
If locking clips are used to secure the collet, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the collet itself through an integrated cam mechanism. The collet features a cam surface that interacts with the tube to provide automatic locking, eliminating the need for separate locking clips or rings. This integration maintains reliable locking while significantly reducing structural complexity and bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet is designed to lock the tube automatically through its own cam mechanism without requiring external locking components. The cam surface on the collet works with the tube geometry to provide self-locking functionality, where the collet itself performs the locking action rather than relying on separate locking clips.
Data Source
AI summary
A tube coupling having a coupling body with an opened ended throughway to receive a tube. A collet located in the open end of the through way has a ring and flexible arms extending generally axially of the ring into the throughway. The throughway has a tapered surface convergent towards the open end and the collet arms have heads at their distal ends for engaging both of the tapered surface and a tube extending through the collet. A collet lock is formed on the collet, the collet having a locked rotary position and an unlocked rotary position. One of the body and the collet is provided with a cam surface and the other is provided with a cam follower, the cam surface being provided to provide the locked and unlocked positions. The disclosure also extends to the collet.