Optical Fiber Connector Locking and Anti-Rotation Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connectors require large installation spaces, are slow to assemble, lack fast locking and separation capabilities, and cannot accommodate different single-core modules due to fixed radial positions, and outdoor applications lack sufficient tensile resistance.
Innovation Solution
A plug and socket connector design with a housing component featuring a locking mechanism, anti-rotation structures, and sealing units, including a crimping sleeve for cable connection, and a ferrule assembly that allows radial movement and anti-rotation, ensuring versatility and reliable sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thread connection or bayonet connection is used for connector locking, then locking function is provided, but installation space becomes large and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the locking ball moves between locked and unlocked positions through elastic deformation. The elastic component allows the locking structure to transition states dynamically, enabling fast connection and disconnection without requiring large installation space or multiple locking modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ball is nested within the elastic component, allowing the locking mechanism to be compact. The elastic component surrounds the locking ball and provides the necessary mechanical force, creating a nested structure that reduces overall size while maintaining locking functionality.
2Reliability
If glue-pouring manner is used to fix cable and inner core, then fixation is provided, but production efficiency decreases and solidifying time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding process (glue-pouring) with a mechanical crimping system. The crimping sleeve applies mechanical force to firmly fix the cable and inner core binding sleeve through deformation and friction, eliminating the need for glue solidification time and enabling immediate structural stability.
3Strength
If hard contact sheath is used for single ferrule, then structural support is provided, but lateral displacement occurs and applicability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move laterally within a certain range through a guide groove and elastic component. This dynamic adjustment enables the ferrule to adapt to different radial positions of single-core modules from different manufacturers while maintaining structural support through the crimping sleeve.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional protective housing is used for outdoor application, then sealing function is provided, but tensile resistance force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing and tensile resistance functions into an integrated structure. The crimping sleeve simultaneously provides both sealing by pressing against the cable sheath and tensile resistance through its rigid structure and friction grip on the cable, eliminating the need for separate protective housing while enhancing both functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector plug usable to be connected to the connector socket in a fitting manner. The connector plug includes a housing component and an inner core component in the housing component. The housing component includes an inner housing and an outer housing movably sleeved at an outer side of the inner housing in an axial direction. A socket housing includes a socket locking mechanism, and a plug housing includes a corresponding plug locking mechanism usable to be connected to the socket to implement plug-socket locking, and an inner wall of the socket housing includes at least one socket anti-rotating structure in the axial direction, and a plug inner housing includes a matching plug anti-rotating structure usable to implement anti-rotation of the plug and the socket.