Debris-Reducing Multi-Fiber Connector with Movable Outer Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic connectors, particularly MTP/MPO style connectors, experience debris accumulation during mating and unmating due to the rubbing of connector housings and latch arms, which affects optical connections.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic connector design featuring an inner and outer housing with a resilient element that biases the outer housing toward the inner housing, reducing the spring force applied by latch arms, and incorporating features like grooves and elongated latch arms to minimize debris generation by allowing the outer housing to clear latch arms before disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latch arms are made stronger to securely hold the connector, then connection reliability is improved, but debris generation increases due to higher rubbing forces during mating and unmating
Solution Approach 1:
The latch arm is designed with a resilient portion that provides dynamic, elastic deformation during mating and unmating operations. This allows the latch arm to flex and absorb impact forces rather than rigidly resisting them, reducing debris generation while maintaining secure connection through elastic recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion of the latch arm acts as a built-in cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact forces before they can cause debris generation. The elastic deformation absorbs the energy of impact, preventing direct transmission of forces that would otherwise generate debris during connector mating and unmating.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outer connector housing is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then connection stability is improved, but debris accumulation increases due to friction and rubbing during insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The outer connector housing is designed with movable portions that can dynamically adjust during insertion and removal operations. This allows the housing to move slightly to clear the latch arm without generating significant friction or rubbing, while still providing stable connection when properly mated.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing is divided into inner and outer housings with independent movement capabilities. The outer housing can move relative to the inner housing, allowing the outer housing to clear the latch arm during insertion and removal while maintaining stable connection when mated, thereby reducing debris generation.
3Reliability
If the latch arm applies high spring force to ensure secure engagement, then connection reliability is improved, but the force of rubbing increases causing more debris to accumulate on connector faces
Solution Approach 1:
The latch arm incorporates a resilient portion that provides dynamic, elastic deformation during engagement. This allows the latch arm to flex under load rather than rigidly resisting, reducing the peak rubbing forces while maintaining secure engagement through elastic recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force of the latch arm is optimized to provide sufficient engagement reliability while limiting the maximum rubbing force. The resilient portion allows the spring force to be applied in a controlled manner that ensures secure engagement without generating excessive friction forces that would cause debris accumulation.
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
Significantly reduces debris accumulation on the connector faces during mating and unmating processes, enhancing the reliability and stability of optical connections by minimizing the forces that cause debris generation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element engaging the inner connector housing and the outer connector housing and biasing the outer connector housing toward a front end of the inner connector housing, the resilient member having a spring force that is less than a spring force applied by the at least one latch against the at least one projection during insertion or removal of the inner connector housing from the adapter
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic connector has a connector outer housing and a connector inner housing. The connector inner housing has a projection to interact with a latch on an adapter into which the connector is inserted. The force required to move the connector outer housing relative to the connector inner housing is less than the force to remove the connector inner housing from the latch. A groove or opening may also be formed in the connector outer housing to effectively shorten the connector outer housing and prevent interaction of the latch with the outer housing, reducing debris.