Groundable Fiber Connector Metallic Clip Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber connectors lack a continuous ground connection, which is essential for ensuring electrical conductivity and compatibility with adapters, and existing solutions are either costly or inefficient in material usage.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber connector design incorporates a metallic clip within a plastic housing that extends to establish an uninterrupted ground connection by pressing against a metallic part of an adapter, minimizing material usage and ensuring continuity even with imperfect matches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous ground connection is implemented in optical fiber connectors, then electrical conductivity and compatibility with adapters are ensured, but manufacturing cost and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground connection is divided into multiple segments: a first metallic section embedded in the plastic housing, a metallic clip extending from it, and a second metallic section embedded in the housing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining continuous ground connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic clip is integrated with the plastic housing structure, merging the ground connection function with the housing itself. This combination eliminates the need for separate ground connection components, reducing material usage and manufacturing steps while ensuring continuous electrical conductivity from the connector to the adapter.
2Reliability
If metallic material is used to ensure continuous ground connection, then electrical conductivity is improved, but material cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Metallic material is applied locally only where electrical conductivity is required - specifically in the first metallic section, metallic clip, and second metallic section - rather than throughout the entire connector. This localized application minimizes metallic material usage while ensuring ground connection continuity at critical interfaces with the adapter.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic clip acts as an intermediary element that bridges the first and second metallic sections embedded in the plastic housing. This intermediary approach allows the ground connection to be established through minimal metallic material strategically positioned to ensure electrical continuity without requiring extensive metal usage.
3Reliability
If the metallic clip is designed to press against the adapter metallic part, then ground connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic clip is designed with elastic or bendable properties, allowing it to dynamically adjust and press against the adapter's metallic part during connection. This dynamic characteristic ensures reliable ground connection contact while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and alignment variations, maintaining simplicity in the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic clip's elastic properties allow it to change its physical state between bent and straight configurations. When the connector is inserted into the adapter, the clip naturally bends to make contact with the adapter's metallic part, establishing the ground connection. This parameter change approach simplifies the structure by using material properties rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
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 design provides a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable continuous ground connection, ensuring electrical conductivity and compatibility with various adapters while reducing material costs and wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
The metallic clip may be adapted to press against the metallic part of the optical fiber adapter in an elastic manner. The metallic clip may be elastic or bendable.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector is provided. The optical fiber connector comprises a plastic housing. The optical fiber connector comprises a metallic clip. The plastic housing is adapted to connect the optical fiber connector to an optical fiber adapter. The metallic clip is arranged at a side of the plastic housing. The metallic clip extends from the plastic housing. The metallic clip is adapted to press against a metallic part of the optical fiber adapter.