Fiber Optic Connector Locking for One-Handed Multiport Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic connectors and multiport assemblies face challenges in ensuring robustness and ease of connection while minimizing damage from unintended forces, and require improved mechanisms for secure engagement and disengagement.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber optic connectors with a locking portion that engages a push-button securing member, allowing forcible disengagement upon application of a predetermined force, and multiport assemblies with push-button securing members that intersect connection port passageways, enabling secure coupling and easy one-handed connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the connector, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is integrated directly into the connector housing as a unified structure, combining the connector body and locking mechanism into a single component. This merging approach provides secure engagement through the locking portion that selectively engages with the securing member, while avoiding the complexity of separate locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on insertion and removal forces. The locking portion selectively engages the securing member during insertion and can be forcibly disengaged by applying a predetermined force, enabling self-service operation without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If push-button securing members are positioned to intersect connection port passageways, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button securing member serves multiple functions: it intersects the connection port passageway to enable easy one-handed operation, provides a locking interface for the locking portion, and can be actuated to release the connector. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall design while maintaining precise engagement through the standardized locking portion interface.
3Ease of operation
If forcible disengagement is enabled upon application of predetermined force, then ease of operation is improved, but strength requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release state when a predetermined force is applied. The locking portion can maintain secure engagement under normal conditions but is designed to be forcibly disengaged when sufficient force is applied, enabling easy operation while protecting against unintended forces through the predetermined force threshold.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Fiber optic connectors and connectorized fiber optic cables include connector housings having locking portions defined on the connector housing that allow the connector housing to be selectively coupled to a corresponding push-button securing member of a multiport assembly. Methods for selectively connecting a fiber optic connector to, and disconnecting the fiber optic connector from the multiport assemblies allow for connector housings to be forcibly and nondestructively removed from the multiport assembly.