Floating Optical Connector Assembly for PCB Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical connectors face challenges with dust contamination, alignment accuracy, and incomplete mating due to small tolerances and fixed positions, which hinder efficient data transmission between optical PCBs, especially when electrical and optical connections are needed simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector assembly with a floating optical connection that moves relative to the electrical connector, providing at least three degrees of freedom, combined with a compliant part and spring members for biasing and alignment, and a slidable dust shield for protection, ensuring accurate and reliable optical communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fixed position connectors are used with small tolerances, then alignment accuracy is improved, but dust contamination becomes more critical and operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector is made movable relative to the electrical connector through a floating mounting structure with compliance elements (springs, elastomers) that allow dynamic adjustment during insertion. This enables the optical connector to self-align with the mating connector while maintaining tight tolerances, and allows for easier operation by accommodating insertion variations without requiring perfect initial alignment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If removable covers are added to protect connector faces, then dust protection is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The dust shield function is merged with the floating optical connector assembly itself rather than being a separate removable cover. The optical connector housing incorporates integrated dust shields that automatically protect the optical interfaces when connectors are disconnected, eliminating the need for separate protective covers while maintaining dust protection functionality.
3Reliability
If electrical connector bottoms out first, then electrical connection is established, but optical connection may be incomplete due to fixed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The floating optical connector mounting allows the optical connector to move independently after the electrical connector bottoms out. Compliance elements (springs, elastomers) enable the optical connector to continue moving and self-align with the mating optical connector even after electrical contact is established, ensuring both electrical and optical connections are fully mated without requiring simultaneous bottoming out of both connectors.
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
This solution allows for reliable and efficient optical connections with reduced alignment requirements and improved dust protection, enabling stable high-data-rate transmission between optical PCBs, even when electrical connections are already maximally engaged.
Implementation Method 1
spring members for biasing and alignment
Implementation Method 2
slidable dust shield for protection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an optical connector assembly for arrangement on a first optical printed circuit board and for connecting the first optical printed circuit board to a second optical device on a second electro optical printed circuit board, the connector assembly comprising: an electrical connector; and an optical connector; the optical connector being arranged in a housing that is fixed relative to the electrical connector, the optical connector being movably mounted in the housing so that the optical connector can move relative to the electrical connection, such that when electrical connection is made, the optical connector can still move with at least three degrees of freedom.