Fiber Optic Adapter With Self-Resetting Dust and Laser Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic adapters lack reliable dust protection and laser safety features, leading to signal interference and potential operator harm due to dust and foreign matter ingress.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic adapter with a spring-elastic dust protection sealing element that automatically resets and integrates laser protection, ensuring a dust-tight seal and preventing light escape, using a monolithic sheet metal bent part for enhanced reliability and user-friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable dust cap is used to close the connector opening, then dust protection is provided, but the complexity of operation increases and reliability decreases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The dust protection sealing element is designed to automatically close the connector opening when no connector is present, eliminating the need for manual dust cap installation. The element self-actuates based on the presence or absence of a connector, providing dust protection automatically without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust protection sealing element transitions from a static dust cap to a dynamic component that automatically changes position (open/closed) in response to connector insertion/removal. This dynamic behavior adapts the dust protection mechanism to the operational state of the adapter.
2Reliability
If a lockable hard flap is used for dust protection, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex locking mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple elastic restoring force. The dust protection sealing element relies on its inherent elasticity to return to the closed position, eliminating the need for separate locking components while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the dust protection sealing element are optimized to provide sufficient elastic force for effective sealing. By selecting appropriate materials with suitable elasticity parameters, the system achieves reliable dust protection without mechanical locking mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If the dust protection closure element requires manual closing, then control precision is improved, but the ease of operation and user-friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The dust protection sealing element automatically performs the closing action based on connector presence detection, eliminating the need for manual user input. The system self-regulates the closure timing and force, providing both automatic operation and precise control.
4Ease of operation
If a spring-elastic self-resetting dust protection sealing element is used, then ease of operation and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust protection sealing element combines multiple functions into a single component: dust sealing, automatic opening/closing actuation, and position indication. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms while providing automatic reset functionality.
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 adapter provides improved reliability by preventing dust and signal interference, enhances user-friendliness with self-resetting functionality, and ensures operator safety through integrated laser protection.
Implementation Method 1
the dust protection locking element be spring-elastic and self-resetting to a locking position at the plug connection opening
Implementation Method 2
at least one dust protection sealing element for a dust-tight sealing of the connector opening
Implementation Method 3
the accumulation of dust and/or other foreign matter can be prevented
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fiber optic adapter (10a-f) with at least one basic housing (60a-f) which has at least one connector opening (78a-f, 80a-f, 82a-f, 84a-f) for inserting a connector (12a-f) into the basic housing (60a-f), and with a protective unit (20a-f, 22a-f) arranged on the basic housing (60a-f) which has at least one dust protection sealing element (24a-f, 26a-f) for a dust-tight sealing of the connector opening (78a-f, 80a-f, 82a-f, 84a-f). It is proposed that the dust protection closure element (24a-f, 26a-f) be spring-elastic and self-resetting to a closed position of the dust protection closure element (24a-f, 26a-f) at the plug connection opening (78a-f, 80a-f, 82a-f, 84a-f).