Optical-Electrical Composite Connector With Shared Housing Ports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical-electrical connector systems require separate optical and electrical connectors, leading to complex operations and increased device volume due to the need for dual interfaces and multiple plugging/unplugging steps.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical-electrical composite connector that combines an optical fiber and a cable within a single connector assembly, utilizing a front housing with an optical port and an electrical port on the same housing, allowing for both optical and electrical transmission through a single connector, thereby minimizing device volume and simplifying operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate optical connector and electrical connector are used, then optical transmission and electrical transmission can be implemented, but device volume increases and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate optical connector and electrical connector into a single integrated optical-electrical composite connector. The housing integrates both optical fiber accommodation and electrical cable accommodation, allowing both optical transmission and electrical transmission to be achieved through one connector rather than two separate connectors, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining full transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical-electrical composite connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides optical signal transmission through the optical fiber, electrical signal transmission through the cable and conductive terminal, and mechanical connection for both types of signals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate connectors for different transmission types
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate optical connector and electrical connector are used, then optical transmission and electrical transmission can be implemented, but operation complexity increases due to multiple plugging/unplugging steps
Solution Approach 1:
By merging optical connection and electrical connection into a single composite connector, the patent reduces the number of plugging and unplugging operations from two separate actions to one unified action, significantly simplifying the connection process while maintaining both optical and electrical transmission capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate optical connector and electrical connector are used, then optical transmission and electrical transmission can be implemented, but two interfaces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate interfaces (optical interface and electrical interface) into a single integrated interface on the composite connector. The housing provides a unified connection point that accommodates both optical fiber and electrical cable, reducing the number of interfaces from two to one while maintaining full transmission functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The single interface of the composite connector is designed to handle multiple transmission types simultaneously. The housing structure allows both optical signal transmission and electrical signal transmission through one unified interface, eliminating the need for separate optical and electrical interfaces
4Adaptability or versatility
If cable accommodation space is added for separate cable accommodation, then cable can be accommodated, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested accommodation where the electrical cable is routed through the housing structure in a space-efficient manner. The cable passes through the main body portion and is accommodated within the existing housing geometry, nesting the cable accommodation function within the structural components rather than adding separate accommodation spaces, thereby maintaining compact device volume
Data Source
AI summary
A front housing of the optical-electrical composite connector is axially provided with a through groove passing through the front housing on the front housing, and an inner wall of the through groove is provided with a first groove. A rear housing includes a main body portion and a clamping portion connected to one end of the main body portion. An outer surface of the clamping portion is axially provided with a second groove, the clamping portion is located in the through groove, and the first groove is butted with the second groove to form an accommodation space. One end that is of the through groove and that is away from the main body portion is an optical port. The font housing is provided with an opening connecting to the accommodation space and the outside. The conductive terminal is accommodated in the opening, and the conductive terminal forms an electrical port.