Fiber Optic Connector Rotating Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic connectors require time-consuming threaded engagement and disengagement for assembly and disassembly, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic connector design featuring a connecting unit with angularly spaced protrusions forming positioning grooves and a cover unit with radially protruding positioning blocks, allowing for quick engagement and disengagement through a rotating mechanism that aligns or misaligns to secure or release the cover, reducing the need for threaded coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If threaded coupling mechanism is used to connect cover unit and connecting unit, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the assembly and disassembly time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple functional zones within the positioning grooves: guiding sections with tapered surfaces for easy engagement, positioning sections with shoulder surfaces for secure locking, and releasing sections for quick disengagement. This segmentation allows the single rotational operation to accomplish multiple functions sequentially, resolving the contradiction between strong connection and quick assembly/disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic multi-stage engagement process. The cover unit rotates through different angular positions to sequentially pass through the guiding section, positioning section, and releasing section, allowing the connection state to dynamically change from approaching to locked to released, thereby achieving both strong connection and quick operation.
2Device complexity
If traditional threaded engagement is used, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the operational efficiency deteriorates due to time-consuming assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions traditionally requiring separate mechanisms are merged into a single rotational operation. The guiding section provides alignment and engagement guidance, the positioning section provides secure locking, and the releasing section enables quick disengagement - all accomplished through one continuous rotational motion of the cover unit, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning grooves are pre-configured with specific geometric features (tapered guiding surfaces, shoulder surfaces, and releasing sections) that automatically perform alignment, guidance, and locking functions during the engagement process. This preliminary configuration of functional zones eliminates the need for separate adjustment or tightening operations, greatly improving assembly efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic connector includes a connecting unit having a plurality of positioning grooves and a cover unit having a plurality of positioning blocks. The cover unit is operable to rotate relative to the connecting unit between an engaged position, where the positioning blocks are respectively disposed in the of said positioning grooves and are respectively and at least partially aligned with shoulder surfaces in the positioning grooves such that the cover unit is unable to move axially and forwardly relative to the connecting unit, and a separated position, where the positioning blocks are respectively misaligned from the shoulder surfaces to allow the cover unit to move axially and forwardly relative to the connecting unit.