Fiber Optic Adapter Dust Plug With Latching Housing Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density fiber optic interconnect systems, pre-populated adapter panels are vulnerable to dust and debris contamination when not in use, as the housing and adapter are exposed, leading to potential damage and interference with optical connections.
Innovation Solution
A dust plug with a main body, latches, and a shoulder design that securely engages with the housing to prevent dust and debris ingress, featuring latches that fit into receptacles on the housing and a shoulder to prevent excessive insertion, ensuring a snug fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the adapter panel is pre-populated with housing and outer sleeve components, then installation efficiency is improved by enabling field termination without removing pre-installed components, but the exposed housing and adapter become vulnerable to dust and debris contamination when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
A dust plug is pre-installed into the housing to seal the opening before the fiber optic ferrule is inserted. This preliminary protective action prevents dust and debris from entering the housing during periods when the adapter is not in use, while maintaining the pre-populated configuration that enables efficient field termination installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust plug serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the internal housing components. It temporarily occupies the opening in the housing, blocking contaminants from reaching the pre-installed outer sleeve and other internal components, while allowing the housing structure to remain in place for future fiber optic assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dust plug is provided to cover the housing opening, then protection against contamination is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The dust plug is designed as a simple, inexpensive, disposable component that can be easily installed and removed. Its simplicity offsets the added complexity by providing effective protection without requiring complex mechanisms, and it can be discarded and replaced without affecting the main adapter assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust plug is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed into the housing without affecting the pre-installed outer sleeve or other adapter components. This segmentation allows the protection function to be added without integrating complexity into the main adapter assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A dust plug for use in a pre-populated adapters has a main body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls extending between the top wall and bottom wall. The dust plug also includes at least one pair of latches in a front portion of the main body and each of the at least one pair of latches may have an increased thickness at a forward end thereof. The area of increased thickness is sized to engage a receptacle in an inner surface of the housing when the dust plug is attached to the housing. Other versions contemplate not having the increased thickness. The dust plug preferably includes a grip at the back end.