Dual-Purpose Adapter for Ruggedized Fiber Optic Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adapters are not available for inspecting plug-type ruggedized fiber optic connectors with APC endfaces or receptacle-type connectors with PC and APC endfaces, making it cumbersome and costly to maintain multiple adapters for different inspection tasks, especially in harsh environments where ruggedized connectors are critical.
Innovation Solution
A dual-purpose adapter that can be easily switched between modes for inspecting PC and APC endfaces, compatible with both plug-type and receptacle-type connectors, featuring a template inserter with adjustable light channels and guide pins for aligning and locking, allowing a single adapter to inspect various fiber optic endfaces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized adapters are maintained for different connector types and endface configurations, then inspection coverage is complete, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a template inserter that can be rotated to present different light channel orientations (0 degrees for PC endfaces, 8 degrees for APC endfaces). A single adapter body with multiple light channels can inspect both PC and APC endfaces by rotating the template inserter, eliminating the need for separate specialized adapters for each connector type and endface configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The template inserter is designed to be rotatable within the adapter body, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the light channel orientation. This rotation mechanism enables the same physical adapter to adapt its optical path geometry to match different endface types (PC or APC), providing versatility without requiring multiple static adapters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized adapters are maintained for different connector types and endface configurations, then inspection coverage is complete, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a template inserter that can be rotated to present different light channel orientations (0 degrees for PC endfaces, 8 degrees for APC endfaces). A single adapter body with multiple light channels can inspect both PC and APC endfaces by rotating the template inserter, eliminating the need for separate specialized adapters for each connector type and endface configuration.
3Measurement precision
If conventional adapters are used for PC endfaces only, then PC inspection is effective, but APC endface inspection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different light channels within the same template inserter are designed with different orientations tailored to specific endface types. Some light channels are oriented at 0 degrees for optimal PC endface inspection, while others are oriented at 8 degrees for APC endface inspection. This local differentiation within a unified structure allows the adapter to maintain high inspection quality for both endface types without compromising either.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with a template inserter that can be rotated to present different light channel orientations (0 degrees for PC endfaces, 8 degrees for APC endfaces). A single adapter body with multiple light channels can inspect both PC and APC endfaces by rotating the template inserter, eliminating the need for separate specialized adapters for each connector type and endface configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The dual-purpose adapter for inspecting circular (plug-type or receptacle-type) ruggedized fiber optic connector has a guide and a fitting tip. The guide is formed by fastening a template inserter to a frame in two alternative opposite directions. The template inserter has light channels corresponding in relative positions to the endfaces in the ruggedized connector, and two locating holes for coupling and aligning with the ruggedized connector through two guide pins. Depending upon the direction in which the template inserter is fastened to the frame, the fitting tip may be inserted into a respective end of the light channels to allow the optical axis of an inspector probe connected to it to intersect at right angle with PC or APC endfaces for inspection by the inspector probe. For receptacle-type connectors, the guide further includes the two guide pins which can be locked from axial movement at two positions.