Connector Assembly Guiding Mechanism for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical fiber connector assemblies face challenges with accurate alignment and structural strength due to thin guiding columns and small positioning holes, leading to potential damage and signal transmission issues during mating.
Innovation Solution
The proposed assembly includes a first guiding mechanism on the electrical connector assembly and a matching region on the mating electrical connector assembly, along with an aligning portion on the optical fiber connector assembly and an adaptation portion on the mating optical fiber connector assembly, which ensures accurate alignment and insertion, preventing damage by using chamfered guiding sections and matching regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If thin guiding columns are used in small optical fiber connectors, then the connector size is reduced, but the structural strength decreases and alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding mechanism is divided into two independent parts: guiding columns on the electrical connector and corresponding guiding holes on the optical fiber connector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the electrical connector provides robust guiding columns while the optical fiber connector provides precise guiding holes, resolving the contradiction between small size and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector assembly acts as an intermediary component that provides the guiding mechanism. Instead of making the optical fiber connector itself complex and strong, the design uses the electrical connector as a mediator to provide the guiding columns, allowing the optical fiber connector to remain compact while achieving accurate alignment.
2Volume of moving object
If small positioning holes are used to accommodate thin guiding columns, then the connector size is reduced, but the alignment precision deteriorates and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented between the electrical connector (providing guiding columns) and the optical fiber connector (providing guiding holes). This allows the guiding holes to be optimally sized for precision alignment rather than being constrained by the need to accommodate very thin columns, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector with its guiding columns is assembled first, establishing the positioning framework. Then the optical fiber connector with its guiding holes is positioned relative to this established framework, ensuring accurate alignment before final assembly. This preliminary action sequence improves alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes: a first circuit board, having an electrical connector assembly and an optical fiber connector assembly side by side, the electrical connector assembly is protrudingly provided with a first guiding mechanism in a front-rear direction, which includes a first guiding section and a second guiding section, and the optical fiber connector assembly has an aligning portion; and a second circuit board, having a mating electrical connector assembly and a mating optical fiber connector assembly side by side, the mating electrical connector assembly has a first matching region, which includes a first matching section and a second matching section, and the mating optical fiber connector assembly has an adaptation portion. When the first guiding section penetrates through the first matching section and enters the second guiding section, the aligning portion starts entering the adaptation portion.