Fiber Optic Connector Sealing via Segmented Sleeve and Tapered Boot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic connectors and ports face challenges with leak risks due to molded plastic components and insufficient sealing, which can damage the connectors and terminals, especially in complex and flexible network applications.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a fiber optic connector assembly with a separate connector sleeve and housing design that eliminates the need for a molded parting line, incorporating a tapered secondary sealing element and a boot with a barb for enhanced sealing, providing lead-in compression during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If molded plastic components are used for the connector housing, then manufacturing is simplified and cost is reduced, but leak risks increase due to the necessity of parting lines
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a molded housing and a separate connector sleeve. The sleeve is inserted into the housing and provides the sealing surface, while the housing provides structural support. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be separated from the molded component, eliminating the need for parting lines in the sealing groove.
2Reliability
If a sealing member is placed in a groove of a molded component, then sealing is provided, but the parting line in the groove creates a leak risk
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the molded housing component and placed into a separate connector sleeve. The sleeve is inserted into the housing and provides the sealing groove, which is free from parting lines. This extraction eliminates the source of the leak risk while maintaining the sealing capability.
3Device complexity
If a simple O-ring sealing design is used, then the structure is simple, but lead-in compression during insertion cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The connector sleeve includes a tapered portion that provides dynamic lead-in compression during the insertion process. As the connector is inserted into the port, the tapered portion compresses the O-ring sealing member progressively, ensuring effective sealing from the moment of contact. This dynamic compression mechanism is integrated into the simple O-ring design without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes a housing including a rear end and a front end with a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein the rear end extends from a wall, and a connector sleeve including a first end, a reduced diameter portion at the first end, a rear wall, and a second end extending from the rear wall. The first end of the connector sleeve is disposed over the rear end of the housing. The reduced diameter portion of the connector sleeve and the wall of the housing define a primary groove. The fiber optic connector assembly further includes a boot having an insertion-end, wherein the boot is disposed over a portion of the second end of the connector sleeve such that the insertion-end of the boot and the rear wall of the connector sleeve define a secondary groove.