Fiber Optic Connector Housing With Locking Port
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic communication systems face signal transmission issues due to contamination of optical connector interfaces, poor polishing of ferrule assemblies, damage to optical connectors, defective interconnections, and excessive bending of optical fibers, leading to signal degradation and contamination risks during repeated connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A system with a housing, circuit board, and port configured to receive a fiber optic cable with printed circuitry for converting optical signals to electrical signals, featuring a locking mechanism to prevent egress and ensure a liquid-tight seal, and an output connector for detachable communication, preventing contamination and maintaining a clean optical communication path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical connectors are repeatedly connected and disconnected, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination of optical connector interfaces occurs leading to signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the connector into separate components: a port assembly with locking mechanism that remains stationary, and a cable assembly that can be independently inserted and removed. This segmentation allows the port to maintain a sealed environment while the cable assembly handles connection operations, reducing contamination risk during repeated connections.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the port and cable assembly, providing a controlled interface that seals the optical connector interface when locked. This intermediary prevents direct exposure of the optical interface to contaminants during connection/disconnection operations while still allowing ease of operation through simple locking and unlocking actions.
2Reliability
If optical connectors are made more robust to prevent damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated into the port assembly structure, merging the functions of connection retention and sealing into a single unified component. This consolidation provides robust protection against damage and contamination without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the locking mechanism serves multiple protective functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The port assembly is designed to universally accommodate different cable assemblies while providing consistent protection and sealing. The locking mechanism serves multiple functions: securing the cable assembly, sealing the optical interface, and preventing damage to connectors. This multi-functionality enhances reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent cable egress, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism provides localized security at the critical interface between port and cable assembly, rather than requiring a complex overall structure. The locking feature is implemented specifically where needed to prevent egress and seal the interface, concentrating the complexity only in the essential protective function while keeping the rest of the system simple.
4Productivity
If printed circuitry is integrated on the fiber optic cable, then productivity is improved through compact conversion, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuitry is integrated directly onto the fiber optic cable, nesting the conversion functionality within the cable structure itself. This nesting achieves compact conversion between electrical and optical signals while the locking mechanism ensures precise alignment during connection, mitigating the manufacturing precision challenges through mechanical alignment features.
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 system effectively prevents contamination and maintains signal integrity by ensuring a clean optical communication path, enhancing signal fidelity and reducing the risk of contamination, while allowing for efficient and compact conversion between electrical and optical signals.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optic cable with printed circuitry printed on an outer surface of the fiber optic cable and configured to convert optical signals transmitted by the cable to electrical signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system for fiber optic communication connections may include a connector housing, a circuit board disposed in the connector housing, and a port formed in the connector housing and sized to restrict ingress of a fiber optic cable into the port to a predetermined rotational orientation of the fiber optic cable. The system may include circuitry positioned for electrical communication with printed circuitry included on the fiber optic cable received in the port. The circuitry may receive and process data received as a light signal via the fiber optic cable. The system may further include an output connector extending from the connector housing and configured for detachable connection. The output connector may be in electrical communication with the circuitry and may be configured to receive and output an output electrical signal.