Connector Plug Jig Elastic Deformation Locking Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jigs for connector plugs are prone to damage when subjected to forces exceeding the assumed pull-out force, and their design limits the thickness of the locking portion, making it difficult to ensure strength and prevent damage during repeated attachment and detachment, especially when adapters are densely packed.

Innovation Solution

A jig with a cylindrical operation portion that can be elastically deformed to shorten the distance between insertion portions, featuring a slit and notched design to accommodate optical fiber cables and boots, allowing for secure attachment and detachment without damaging the locking portion, even under increased forces and unexpected shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the jig is pulled in the detaching direction by force stronger than the assumed pull-out force, then the connector plug can be detached from the adapter, but the locking portion may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachment capabilityVSAvoidlocking portion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking portion is divided into multiple segments: the first locking portion formed by the first protrusion, the second locking portion formed by the second protrusion, and the connection portion between them. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while distributing the mechanical stress, preventing damage to the entire locking portion even when excessive force is applied during detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the thickness of the upper surface portion of the locking portion is increased to ensure strength, then the locking portion can resist damage, but the elastic deformation capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking portion strengthVSAvoidelastic deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the locking portion have different thickness characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The first and second locking portions maintain sufficient thickness for strength and locking engagement, while the connection portion between them is designed with appropriate thickness to enable elastic deformation. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both strength and flexibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portion between the first and second locking portions is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust during the attachment and detachment processes. This dynamic capability enables the locking mechanism to accommodate variations in insertion force and maintain reliable locking engagement while preventing permanent damage through controlled elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the jig is inclined upward exceeding the assumed inclination angle, then the connector plug can be detached, but the locking portion may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachment operationVSAvoidlocking portion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection portion between the first and second locking portions is designed with elastic deformation capability before the actual detachment operation. This beforehand cushioning allows the structure to absorb and mitigate excessive inclined forces during detachment, preventing damage to the locking portions even when the jig is pulled at angles exceeding the assumed 25° inclination angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Volume of moving object

If adapters are densely provided to downsize the device, then the device size is reduced, but the workability of handling cables is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcable handling workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The jig serves as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between the operator and the densely packed connectors. By providing a standardized interface with first and second insertion portions that engage with corresponding slots on the slider, the jig enables reliable attachment and detachment operations in confined spaces where adapters are densely arranged, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the compact device configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The jig ensures easy attachment and detachment of connector plugs with enhanced strength, preventing locking portion damage and maintaining reliability even when forces exceed the assumed limits, while allowing for efficient operation in densely packed adapter environments.

Implementation Method 1

a predetermined distance can be shortened by elastically deforming the operation portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3876008B1Jig for connector plug, connector plug and cable with connector plug
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SEIKOH GIKEN
  • EP3876008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3876008B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3876008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connector plug (10) has a connector plug body (20) , a slider (30) supported on the connector plug body and a jig (40) attachable to the slider (30) . The jig (40) has an insertion portion which can be inserted into a slot (33) of the slider (30) and an operation portion extended from the insertion portion. The insertion portion has first and second insertion portions (41,42) separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The slider (30) can be moved in the detaching direction when the jig (40) is moved in the detaching direction in a state that a first locking portion (43) of the first insertion portion (41) and a second locking portion (44) of the second insertion portion (42) are locked to the inner wall of the slot (33), and the locked state of the first locking portion and the second locking portion can be released when a force is applied to the operation portion in an inside direction to shorten the predetermined distance.