Optical Fiber Connector Release Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber connectors face issues with wear and breakage of fastening protrusions due to forceful removal, and obstruction in dense arrays limits easy disconnection, leading to potential damage and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector design featuring a rear member, polarity key, and release pull lever with a sloping surface and sliding contact mechanism allows for easy disengagement from adapters or receptacles without excessive force, enabling smooth polarity change and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector housing is pulled apart forcefully to detach the fastening protrusions from the slots, then the connector can be removed from the adapter or receptacle, but the fastening protrusions or slots become worn out over time and may break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable release pull lever that transitions between a locked position (engaging the fastening protrusion) and an unlocked position (disengaging the fastening protrusion). This dynamic mechanism allows the connector to be securely held during normal use but easily released when needed, eliminating the need for forceful pulling that causes wear and breakage.
2Ease of operation
If the pull lever is pulled upward to cause displacement of the housing relative to the mated adapter or receptacle, then the fastening protrusions may detach from the slots, but this practice is not in line with the original design and may cause insufficient displacement or break the pull lever
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the release function from the original pull lever design and creates a dedicated release pull lever with a specific upward movement path. This separate release mechanism is designed to move in a predetermined direction that reliably disengages the fastening protrusion from the slot without exerting excessive force on the pull lever itself, preventing breakage while achieving disconnection.
3Area of stationary object
If optical fiber connectors are arranged in a dense array in narrow space, then space utilization is improved, but the dense neighboring connectors or receptacles obstruct the upward movement of the pull lever
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement dimension of the release mechanism by designing the release pull lever to move in a direction that clears obstructions from neighboring connectors. Instead of moving strictly upward which is blocked in dense arrays, the release lever is designed to move along a path that utilizes available space in other dimensions, allowing smooth operation even when connectors are tightly packed.
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 design facilitates easy and safe removal of optical fiber connectors, reducing wear and tear, extending product life, and allowing for efficient use in dense connector arrays without requiring excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
The driving portion is in sliding contact with the first sloping surface of the latching part of the polarity key, such that rearward movement of the release pull lever drives the latching part and the locking protrusion to move close to the outer housing via the sliding contact between the first sloping surface of the latching part and the driving portion of the release pull lever.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector includes an outer housing, a rear member sleeved on a rear end of the outer housing, a polarity key, and a release pull lever. The polarity key includes a body part extending from the rear member and located on one side of the outer housing, a latching part formed with a cutout and having a first sloping surface, and a locking protrusion extending from the latching part. The release pull lever is disposed on the outer housing and has a driving portion protruding into the cutout and being in sliding contact with the first sloping surface, such that rearward movement of the release pull lever drives the locking protrusion to move close to the outer housing.