Optical Fiber Connector with Integrated Merging Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connectors require lengthy assembly processes and are prone to misassembly, especially in dark environments, and necessitate disassembly for fiber exchange, leading to increased working time and potential damage during repeated exchanges.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector design featuring a ferrule, housing with a stopper-insert-hole, a holding member, a maintaining member, and a pressing member, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the optical fiber without adhesives, with a stopper-operable mechanism that facilitates quick and reliable fiber exchange by transitioning between hold and release states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical fiber connector uses a multi-step assembly process with multiple parts (ring-shaped member, spring member, hollow-shaped holding member), then the optical fiber can be held securely, but the working time becomes long and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (holding member, maintaining member, pressing member) into a single integrated connector body. The holding member, maintaining member, and pressing member are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing the number of parts to be handled during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated connector body performs multiple functions simultaneously: the holding member secures the optical fiber, the maintaining member maintains the holding state, and the pressing member applies pressing force. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what previously required multiple separate parts.
2Reliability
If the optical fiber connector uses multiple separate parts for assembly, then the optical fiber can be held reliably, but members might be missed during assembly in dark places
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (holding member, maintaining member, pressing member) into a single integrated connector body. The holding member, maintaining member, and pressing member are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing the number of parts to be handled during assembly.
3Reliability
If the optical fiber connector is assembled with multiple parts, then the optical fiber can be held securely, but the connector must be disassembled when the optical fiber is exchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable maintaining member that can switch between a first position (where it maintains the holding member in a holding state) and a second position (where it allows the holding member to release the optical fiber). This dynamic mechanism enables easy fiber exchange without disassembling the connector by simply moving the maintaining member to the second position.
4Ease of manufacture
If the optical fiber connector uses a complex multi-part structure, then the optical fiber can be held without adhesive, but the working time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (holding member, maintaining member, pressing member) into a single integrated connector body. The holding member, maintaining member, and pressing member are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing the number of parts to be handled during assembly.
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 connector enables faster and more reliable attachment and detachment of optical fibers, reducing assembly time and minimizing the risk of misassembly or damage during repeated exchanges, while allowing for easy maintenance and fiber replacement without disassembling the connector.
Implementation Method 1
The pressing member presses the maintaining member toward the maintain position
Implementation Method 2
The abutment portion faces the facing portion of the ferrule in the optical direction so that the stopper is insertable between the abutment portion and the facing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector comprises a ferrule having a rear end, a chuck located rearward of the ferrule, a ring having a front end, and a coil spring. The ring is attached to the chuck so as to surround the chuck. The optical fiber connector holds an optical fiber which is inserted from a rear end of the optical fiber connector. In detail, when the optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber connector, an end of the optical fiber passes through the chuck to be accommodated in the ferrule. The coil spring presses the ring forward (toward the ferrule) so that the chuck is squeezed to hold the inserted optical fiber. When the ring is moved rearward by a stopper inserted between the rear end of the ferrule and the front end of the ring, the chuck is released to release the optical fiber.