Connector-Incorporating Plug Floating Housing Axis Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector-incorporating plugs with fixed optical connectors face connection issues due to poor positional accuracy and potential rotation problems when the mating modules and adapters have low accuracy, especially when the connector's shape is rectangular.
Innovation Solution
A connector-incorporating plug design featuring a floating structure with a housing, spring, holder, and shell member that allows movement along specific axes to maintain connection while restricting rotation, using a coil spring to press the housing and holder against the shell member's projections, ensuring proper alignment and preventing rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed structure is used for the optical connector in the main body portion, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but connection fails when the mating optical module and adapter have poor positional accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector is designed with a floating structure that allows it to move dynamically relative to the main body portion along the insertion direction. A spring mechanism enables the connector to adjust its position automatically, compensating for misalignment between the mating optical module and adapter, thereby maintaining reliable connection without requiring complex precision positioning structures.
2Reliability
If a floating structure is adopted to allow the connector to move, then connection reliability improves, but rotation of the connector becomes possible which could make connection impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with an asymmetric rectangular cross-section that fits into a corresponding asymmetric groove in the main body portion. This asymmetric geometry allows the holder to move linearly along the insertion direction while preventing rotational movement, as rotation would cause the asymmetric shapes to collide and block movement. This resolves the contradiction by enabling floating movement while maintaining orientation stability.
3Reliability
If the connector is allowed to move along the insertion direction, then misalignment compensation is achieved, but the connector may become loose or unstable
Solution Approach 1:
A spring mechanism is pre-installed between the holder and the main body portion to provide cushioning force. The spring is pre-compressed to exert a constant pressing force on the holder, ensuring the optical connector remains firmly positioned during movement. This cushioning mechanism allows the connector to move for alignment compensation while preventing excessive movement and maintaining stable connection through continuous contact force.
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 design enables reliable connection and waterproofing even with low positional accuracy between mating receptacles and adapters, while preventing rotation of the connector, thus ensuring stable and efficient connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pressing the housing in the direction of insertion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector-incorporating plug contains a connector to be inserted into and connected to an adapter in a receptacle and is connected to the receptacle. The connector-incorporating plug includes a housing that is located at a back-end side of the connector in a direction of insertion, to hold the connector, a spring pressing the housing in the direction of insertion, a holder that is located in front of a flange portion formed on the housing and that is mounted to the housing, and a shell member. The holder is pressed by the spring through the flange portion to butt against a projection formed on the inner wall of the shell member, and is kept there. The housing is movable with respect to the holder only along a first axis orthogonal to the direction of insertion. The holder is movable with respect to the shell member only along a crossing axis.