Two-Piece Fiber Optic Adapter Latch Trapped Under Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-piece fiber optic adapters fail to withstand 90° proof load tests due to a lack of structural support in their latching mechanisms, which can disassemble under external forces, leading to failed optical connections.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece fiber optic adapter design with a latching mechanism that includes projections and receptacles forming an overlapped portion, positioned within an adapter panel's window, ensuring the mechanism is trapped and resistant to disassembly under load, using flanges and external latches to secure the adapter to the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional latching mechanism is used in a two-piece adapter, then the adapter can be assembled, but the latching mechanism fails under 90° proof load test forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching mechanism strengthVSAvoidadapter reliability under load

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is nested within the adapter panel structure. The projections and receptacles are positioned such that when the adapter is inserted into the panel, the latching mechanism becomes trapped within the panel's window opening, using the panel itself as a containing structure that prevents disassembly under external forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter panel acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the two-piece adapter and the external environment. The panel's window opening and thickness provide the structural support needed to contain the latching mechanism, transferring the load from external forces to the panel structure rather than allowing direct force application to the latching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the latching mechanism is exposed outside the adapter panel, then assembly is simple, but the mechanism is vulnerable to accidental disassembly under external forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidvulnerability to external forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the latching mechanism is positioned within the adapter panel window, then the mechanism is protected from external forces, but the adapter structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to disassembly under loadVSAvoidadapter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into two separate pieces that can be assembled together, with the latching mechanism integrated into this segmented structure. The projections and receptacles are designed as discrete elements that engage with each other, allowing for modular assembly while providing robust latching functionality within the panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11726267B2Two-piece fiber optic adapter with latch mechanism trapped under panel

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 US CONEC LTD

AI summary

A combination of an adapter panel and at least one two-piece fiber optic adapter includes an adapter panel having a first side and a second side, the adapter panel having a window extending between the first side and the second side, the adapter panel having a thickness and a two-piece fiber optic adapter formed by joining a first piece to a second piece via a latching mechanism, each of the first piece and second piece having a longitudinal opening to receive fiber optic connectors from either side of the adapter panel. The latching mechanism is positioned at least partially within the window and the thickness of the adapter panel.