Fiber Optic Connector Assembly for Polarity Switching in Tight Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optical connectors are difficult to operate due to their close arrangement, which limits polarity adjustment and makes it hard to detach and reattach them to connection ports without interference.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optical connector assembly with a base casing, converter seats, core casings, an outer sleeve, pressing plate, and pulling unit that allows for easy detachment and polarity switching by using a pulling mechanism to disengage securing members and expose installation recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If fiber optical connectors are arranged closely to each other, then space utilization is improved, but operation difficulty increases due to interference between adjacent connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into independent modular units, each with its own pressing plate and securing members. This segmentation allows each connector to be operated independently without interference from adjacent connectors, even when closely arranged. The pressing plate structure enables isolated access to individual securing members through selective pressing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing plate is designed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane of the connectors. This dimensional extension provides operational access from above, allowing users to press the pressing plate and disengage securing members without lateral interference from adjacent connectors arranged in the same plane.
2Reliability
If securing members are fixed in configuration, then connection stability is improved, but polarity adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The converter seats are designed to be movable relative to the base casing, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the connector assembly. The pressing plate mechanism enables temporary disengagement of securing members, permitting the converter seats to be repositioned to swap ferrule positions. This dynamic capability allows polarity adjustment while maintaining stable connections during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing plate is pre-configured to simultaneously control multiple securing members. Before polarity adjustment is needed, the pressing plate maintains all securing members engaged for stable operation. When polarity change is required, the pressing plate is pressed to preliminarily disengage all securing members, enabling ferrule repositioning before re-engagement in the new configuration.
3Ease of operation
If pressing plates are positioned for individual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device width increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple securing members are merged under a single pressing plate structure. Instead of providing individual pressing access for each securing member, the design combines control of multiple securing members into one unified pressing action. This merging reduces the lateral space required while maintaining ease of operation through the lever arm mechanism of the pressing plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing plate acts as an intermediary lever arm that translates a small pressing force applied at one location into sufficient disengagement force for multiple securing members. This mechanical mediation allows operation of multiple securing members through a single access point, reducing the width required for individual operation of each securing member.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optical connector assembly includes a base casing, two converter seats engaged removably with the base casing, two core casings sleeved on the two converter seats, an outer sleeve sleeved on the base casing, a pressing plate connected to the outer sleeve, and a pulling unit connected to the base casing and the pressing plate. The outer sleeve is movable relative to the base casing, thereby permitting removal of the two converter seats from the base casing. Each core casing has a core casing portion sleeved on a respective one of the converter seats, and a securing portion extending from the core casing portion. The pulling unit is movable to push the pressing plate, thereby driving the pressing plate to press the securing portion of each core casing toward the core casing portion of each core casing.