Fiber Tray Pivot Interlock for Easy Lateral Latch Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical connection interfaces for fiber optic components and structures, such as fiber management trays, are not intuitive or efficient for connecting and releasing components, often requiring complex latch mechanisms and direct pressing, which can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical connection interface that allows a latch to be flexed by lateral movement of the component, enabling easy interlocking and releasing without initial latch deflection, using a first connection interface arrangement with a groove and enlarged portion, and a second interface arrangement with interlocks and stops for secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional latch mechanism is used requiring direct pressing to activate, then the latching function is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome activation process
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring direct pressing of the latch to activate it, the patent inverts the mechanism so that lateral movement of the component body automatically activates the latch. The groove and enlarged portion are positioned such that sliding the component laterally causes the latch to engage with the interlock, transforming a complex pressing action into a simple sliding motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-activating through the lateral movement of the component itself. The groove portion and enlarged portion work together with the interlock such that the component's own movement triggers the latching action without requiring separate manual intervention to press or activate the latch separately.
2Ease of operation
If latch activation requires initial deflection before sliding, then secure latching is achieved, but the ease of operation worsens due to multi-step activation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lateral sliding movement with the latch activation into a single unified action. The groove portion is configured so that as the component slides laterally into position, the enlarged portion automatically engages the interlock, combining what would traditionally be separate actions (sliding and latching) into one simultaneous motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove and enlarged portion are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations so that when the component is laterally moved into the flush configuration, the latch activation is automatically triggered at the precise moment of engagement, eliminating the need for preliminary manual deflection of the latch before sliding.
3Reliability
If a secure interlocking mechanism is implemented, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in releasing
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is inverted so that lateral movement in the opposite direction automatically triggers unlatching. The groove portion and enlarged portion are designed such that sliding the component laterally outward causes the interlock to disengage, transforming the release action from a complex manual operation into a simple reverse sliding motion.
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
Facilitates simple, reliable, and intuitive coupling of fiber optic components to structures, improving ease of use and efficiency by allowing components to be loaded into a flush configuration before latch activation, enhancing the usability of fiber optic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible cantilever latch positioned within the enlarged portion... allowing a latch of the interface to be flexed down from a latching position to an unlatched position by laterally moving a component
Data Source
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AI summary
A pivot interlock for a fiber management tray is disclosed. The pivot interlock is configured for pivotally coupling the fiber management tray to a tray mount. The pivot interlock includes a pivot guide portion and a pivot detent portion.