Fiber Optic Connector Boot-Actuated Latch Release for Dense Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density fiber optic connector environments, the latches of conventional connectors are difficult to unlatch due to their forward positioning, making removal cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic connector design featuring a strain relief boot that slides relative to the yoke, allowing for pivoting movement of the latch, enabling unlatching without direct engagement, combined with a biasing mechanism to return the boot to its neutral position, facilitating easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the connector, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is integrated into the connector housing as a single piece, combining the latch function with the housing structure. This eliminates separate latch components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining secure connection reliability through the integrated latch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage without requiring additional tools or complex operating procedures. The resilient latch member self-actuates through spring force to secure the connector, and can be released by simple manual manipulation, providing self-service functionality that improves reliability without adding complexity.
2Reliability
If a resilient latch member with spring is used, then connection security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring and latch member are combined into a single integrated component rather than separate parts. This merging eliminates the need for assembly operations to install the spring into the latch member, significantly simplifying manufacturing while maintaining connection security through the resilient latch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated latch member with embedded spring is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured using standard plastic injection molding techniques. The simplicity of the integrated design makes it cost-effective and easy to manufacture in volume, offsetting any minor increases in tooling complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the latch member is made resilient with embedded spring, then automatic engagement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is merged into the latch member itself, creating a single integrated component that provides automatic engagement through the resilient action of the embedded spring. This integration eliminates the need for separate spring components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient latch member with embedded spring automatically engages the connector through spring force without requiring external actuation mechanisms. The self-service nature of the automatic engagement simplifies the overall device design by eliminating complex actuation systems while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications connector. The connector includes at least one connector portion including a front housing portion coupled to a rear housing portion, the front housing portion being rotatable relative to the rear housing portion about a longitudinal axis, the front housing portion including a ferrule and a latch, the latch defining front and rear ends and being pivotable relative to the rest of the front housing portion at a connection portion. A boot mounted on the telecommunications connector is movable longitudinally relative to the rear housing portion, wherein the boot is configured to engage at least a portion of the latch of the front housing portion and cause the latch to pivot relative to the rest of the front housing portion as the boot is moved relative to the rear housing portion.