Connector Receptacle Unit with Rotated Electrode Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active optical cables (AOCs) face challenges in reliability and convenience due to the lack of a simple circuit configuration for connecting transmission devices to cables, particularly when dealing with ultra-high definition video signals, and they do not effectively address issues like fiber breakage and optical element deterioration without increasing costs or changing transmission formats.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a transmitting device and reception device with a connector receptacle unit that includes a first and second electrode group rotated 180 degrees, along with corresponding connection units for optical signal transmission and reception, integrated with an optical-electrical composite cable, allowing for reliable and convenient connection regardless of connector plug orientation and providing redundant optical signal paths to handle defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If an active optical cable (AOC) is used to transmit ultra-high definition video signals, then transmission distance can be extended, but reliability is reduced due to lack of redundancy against fiber breakage and optical element deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing redundant optical fiber paths and backup optical elements before any failure occurs. The connector receptacle unit includes multiple optical fiber connection units (first and second groups) that can serve as backup paths, ensuring that if one optical path fails due to fiber breakage or element deterioration, the system can switch to an alternative path without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter of the connector receptacle unit by rotating the second electrode group and second connection unit group 180 degrees relative to the first groups. This rotational symmetry allows the connector to maintain proper signal alignment regardless of plug insertion orientation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining extended transmission distance capability.
2Reliability
If a complex circuit configuration is added to improve reliability with redundant optical paths, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry in a controlled manner by creating symmetric pairs of optical paths (first and second connection unit groups) that are rotated 180 degrees relative to each other. This approach provides redundancy without requiring completely independent complex circuits, as the symmetric structure allows shared control logic and simplified switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector receptacle unit is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both electrode groups and optical fiber connection units in a unified structure. The same rotational symmetry principle applies to both electrical and optical components, allowing a single structural design to serve multiple functions (signal transmission, redundancy, and orientation-independent connection) without requiring separate complex control systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard connector orientation is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but convenience is reduced due to connection failures when plug orientation is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controlled asymmetry by rotating specific groups (second electrode group and second connection unit group) 180 degrees relative to the first groups. This creates a symmetric overall structure that accommodates both upward and downward plug connections, improving convenience while maintaining manufacturability through a systematic design approach rather than ad-hoc modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the orientation problem by adding rotational dimensionality to the connector design. Instead of relying on a single fixed orientation, the connector receptacle unit incorporates 180-degree rotational symmetry, allowing the plug to be connected in multiple orientations (upward or downward) while maintaining proper signal alignment. This dimensional approach solves the convenience issue without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
It is desirable to provide a technology capable of improving reliability in light transmission and convenience at the time of connecting a transmission device to a cable with a simple circuit configuration. A transmitting device is provided which includes a connector receptacle unit connected to an optical-electrical composite cable, in which the connector receptacle unit includes a first electrode group, a second electrode group provided at a position rotated from the first electrode group by 180 degrees about a center of a main body of the connector receptacle unit as a reference, a first connection unit group for transmitting optical signals, and a second connection unit group for transmitting optical signals provided at a position rotated from the first connection unit group for transmitting optical signals by 180 degrees about the center of the main body of the connector receptacle unit as a reference.