Fiber Optic Adapter with Integrated Locking Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female to female optical fiber adaptors require skilled workers for assembly and additional coupling elements, leading to increased costs and risks of misalignment or damage during installation, especially in non-professional environments where space constraints and aesthetic considerations complicate the use of standard connectors.
Innovation Solution
A female to female adaptor device with a specific casing and release locking tab that allows direct insertion into a socket box without additional coupling elements, facilitating assembly by unskilled workers and preventing fiber bending, featuring interference means and a release locking tab for secure retention within the socket box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional coupling elements are used to mount the female to female adaptor into the socket box, then the adaptor can be securely retained, but the assembly complexity increases and requires skilled workers
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab is integrated directly into the adaptor body, merging the retention function with the adaptor structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate coupling elements and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure retention in the socket box.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor performs its own retention function through the integrated locking tab that engages with the socket box. The adaptor is self-sufficient and does not require additional components or skilled assembly, enabling easy installation by unskilled workers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coupling elements are positioned during assembly to modify external geometry, then the adaptor becomes dimensionally compatible with the socket box, but the assembly time increases and requires skilled workers
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab is pre-formed as an integral part of the adaptor body during manufacturing. The dimensional compatibility features are built-in rather than added during assembly, eliminating the need for positioning and adjusting coupling elements during installation.
3Ease of operation
If standard male connectors are used with female to female adaptors, then optical fiber connections can be made, but the risk of misalignment or damage increases in non-professional environments
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor includes built-in alignment and protection features that automatically guide and secure the optical connectors. The structure provides self-aligning mechanisms and protection against incorrect insertion, enabling reliable connections even when used by unskilled workers in non-professional environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a female to female adaptor device for optical fiber connections, configured to be mounted in a socket box P. The device comprises an optical sleeve, having a substantially box shaped outer casing I, configured to allow an optical connection between two connectors along an axis substantially parallel to a main extension axis X of the sleeve, and interference means configured to constrain the optical sleeve to the socket box P, when the device is inserted into the socket box P, and to allow movement of the optical sleeve with respect to the socket box P, in the steps of inserting or disconnecting the adaptor device into/from the socket box P. In particular, in a preferred embodiment, the device according to the present invention provides a base surface substantially sloping with respect to the lower face of the casing I to allow a reduction of the wall encumbrance when, during usage, the device is connected to a socket box P.