Optical Fiber Connector Pack Offset Latch Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber connector packs with dual-sided configurations face difficulties in installing and removing connectors due to the latch being positioned close to the door surface, making it hard to manipulate and access.
Innovation Solution
The connector pack design features offset and inverted latch openings on opposing sides, ensuring that latch openings are always furthest from the door surface, facilitating easier access and installation of connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connector slots are configured on both sides of the connector pack body, then the connector pack can interface with cable connectors on multiple sides, but the latch opening becomes positioned close to the door surface making it difficult to manipulate and access
Solution Approach 1:
The latch opening positions are made asymmetric between the first and second sides of the connector pack body. The latch opening in the first side is offset from a first reference position, while the latch opening in the second side is offset from a second reference position in a different manner, creating asymmetric configurations that optimize latch accessibility on each side while maintaining multi-sided connector interface capability
Solution Approach 2:
The latch openings are positioned in different spatial dimensions and orientations relative to the door surface. By offsetting latch openings in different directions and positions on opposite sides, the design utilizes dimensional variation to ensure latch openings are positioned favorably for manipulation while maintaining the dual-sided configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the connector pack is installed in a swinging door with connectors on both sides, then cable management flexibility is improved, but the latch is forced close to the door surface making it hard to remove or install connectors
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the connector pack body are given different latch opening configurations tailored to their specific operational needs. The latch opening in the first side is offset in a manner optimized for that side's connector access, while the latch opening in the second side is offset differently to optimize access on that side, allowing each local region to have optimal operational characteristics
3Ease of manufacture
If latch openings are positioned symmetrically on both sides, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but latch accessibility and operability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The design intentionally introduces asymmetry in latch opening positions between the two sides of the connector pack body. The latch opening in the first side is offset from its reference position in a different manner than the latch opening in the second side, prioritizing operational ease over manufacturing symmetry
Data Source
AI summary
A connector pack for an optical fiber enclosure has a plurality of connector slots each for receiving a respective connector on a cable. The connector pack has a first set of connector slots on a first side of a connector pack body and a second set of connector slots on a second side of the connector pack body. The first set of connector slots and the second set of connector slots each include a latch opening for receiving a latch of a respective connector. The latch opening of the first set of connector slots is offset with respect to the latch opening of the second set of connectors. According to some embodiments, the latch opening of the first set of connector slots is inverted with respect to the latch opening of the second set of connector slots.