Fiber Optic Adapter Latch Feedback for Complete Connector Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic adapters fail to provide immediate visual or audible feedback when fiber optic connectors are not properly installed, leading to incomplete coupling and potential service interruptions due to degradation in optical signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The fiber optic adapter includes a sliding latch mechanism with compressible springs that forcibly eject or indicate incomplete insertion of connectors, providing immediate feedback to installers through visual or audible cues, ensuring proper seating and preventing signal degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fiber optic connector is inserted into a fiber optic adapter without proper seating, then the installation process is completed quickly, but the optical signal transmission degrades and service interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a latch mechanism with visual and audible feedback indicators that immediately notify installers when a connector is improperly seated. The latch fails to engage or provides no feedback signal when the connector is not fully inserted, preventing incomplete installations from being accepted as complete, thus ensuring reliable optical signal transmission while maintaining installation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to preemptively prevent improper connector installation by requiring full seating before the latch can engage. The mechanical design ensures that the connector must be completely inserted into the adapter for the latch to capture it, thereby preventing future signal degradation and service interruptions before they can occur
2Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to provide feedback on connector insertion status, then installation reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch mechanism with the existing adapter housing structure, integrating the feedback function into the basic components rather than adding separate independent systems. The latch works in conjunction with the housing and connector interface already present in the adapter, providing reliable installation status indication while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-actuating based on the connector insertion state. It automatically engages or fails to engage, and provides visual or audible feedback without requiring external power sources, control systems, or additional actuation mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple
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 solution ensures that connectors are fully seated and locked, reducing the risk of service interruptions by identifying and correcting incomplete installations during the installation process, thereby maintaining consistent optical transmission.
Implementation Method 1
one or more springs operably coupled to the sliding latch. At least one spring of the one or more springs is compressible during insertion of the fiber optic connector into the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic adapter for use with a fiber optic connector is provided. The fiber optic adapter indicates during installation of the connector when the connector is properly installed in the fiber optic adapter. The adapter includes a housing with a cavity at one end for receiving the fiber optic connector. The housing contains a sliding latch configured to contact the fiber optic connector when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the cavity. The sliding latch is movable within the housing from an extended position to a latched position. A connector latch in the housing is configured to engage the stop when the sliding latch is at the latched position. A spring is coupled to the sliding latch and is compressible during insertion of the fiber optic connector into the cavity. When the fiber optic connector is inserted into the cavity, the fiber optic adapter indicates when the sliding latch is not at the latched position.