High-Density Fiber Optical Connectors With Dual-Side Release Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic connectors in data centers face challenges in accommodating increased numbers of optical connections within the same footprint, leading to issues with space efficiency, ease of deployment, robustness, and modifiability. Additionally, high-density panel configurations obstruct access to individual release mechanisms, making it difficult to manage stresses on cables and connectors, which can result in latent defects and network disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical connector that holds two or more LC-type optical ferrules, featuring an outer body, an inner front body, ferrule springs, and a back body. This design allows for the accommodation of four LC-type optical ferrules in a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver footprint or eight LC-type optical ferrules in a quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver footprint, with a mating receptacle that includes a receptacle hook and housing for secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the connector size is shrunk to increase density, then the number of connections per footprint increases, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to obstructed access to release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent sections, each with its own release mechanism. The first release mechanism is positioned on the outer housing while the second release mechanism is accessible from the opposite side, allowing operators to access and operate release mechanisms without obstructions from adjacent connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanisms are positioned in different spatial dimensions and orientations. One release mechanism is accessible from the front while another is accessible from the rear or side, distributing access points across multiple dimensions to eliminate obstructions in high-density configurations.
2Quantity of substance
If more optical connectors are accommodated in the same footprint, then space efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical connectors are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The outer housing contains multiple inner housings, each with ferrules and release mechanisms, consolidating what would traditionally be separate connector units into one unified component that occupies the same footprint as a single traditional connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing is designed to accommodate multiple types and configurations of optical ferrules (LC-type, MT-type, etc.) within a single universal structure. The same housing can support different numbers and arrangements of connectors, providing multi-functionality and reducing the need for multiple specialized connector types.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector has a connector housing assembly for holding one or more ferrules, the connector housing assembly having a height align a vertical alignment axis and a width perpendicular to the height. The connector housing assembly includes an inner front body and an outer release component, the outer release component being movable in relation to the inner front body between a front position and a back position. The optical fiber connector is configured to mate with a receptacle having an upper receptacle hook such that the upper receptacle hook is received in the upper receptacle hook recess and latches with the upper hook retainer surface when the outer release component is in the front position and such that the upper ramp lifts the upper receptacle hook out of the upper receptacle hook recess when the outer release component moves to the back position.