Optical Fiber Spool Cover With One-Handed Elastic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber protective covers require two hands to release the locking mechanism and have engagement members that protrude excessively, leading to accidental release and handling difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover with a locking mechanism featuring an elastic stripe body engagement member and a pressing section that allows one-handed release, along with a hinge design that abuts at an angle to facilitate easy opening and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the engagement member is made to protrude from the handle surface to allow easy release, then the release operation becomes easier, but the protruding engagement member may be inadvertently touched causing accidental release
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is configured to protrude in the axial direction of the handle rather than radially outward. This dimensional change allows the engagement member to be accessible for intentional release operations while reducing the risk of inadvertent contact from the side, thus balancing ease of operation with prevention of accidental release.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism requires two hands for release operation, then the locking is more secure, but the handling capability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is designed with elastic properties and a pressing section that allows a single hand to apply sufficient force for release. The elastic engagement member can be compressed by one hand to disengage the locking protrusion from the receiving member, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining secure locking during normal conditions.
3Reliability
If the engagement member has large elastic force to prevent inadvertent touch, then accidental release is prevented, but the handling capability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member has different elastic force characteristics at different locations. The pressing section has localized elastic properties that require significant force for compression, preventing inadvertent activation. However, the overall design allows controlled compression by deliberate hand pressure, maintaining ease of intentional release while preventing accidental activation.
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
Enables easy one-handed operation for locking and unlocking, reduces accidental release, and allows for compact storage and stable posture of the protective cover with the spool.
Implementation Method 1
an engagement member (23) which has a fixed end (23a) fixed onto a fixing surface (10Ba) of the other of the cover members (10B), a free end (23b) extending from the fixed end (23a) and having thereon a locking protrusion (24) capable of being engaged with the receiving member (22) after insertion of the free end (23b) into the receiving member (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover is detachably fixed onto a spool to protect an optical fiber wound on the spool. The protective cover includes a pair of half-cylindrical cover members coupled together by a hinge and locked together by a locking mechanism. When an external force allows a pair of hinge members of the hinge to abut together, edges of the cover members are apart from each other at an angle of 2 to 7 degrees as viewed with respect to the center of the hinge. The edges of the cover members are then abut together by an additional external force to lock the locking mechanism.