Hermaphroditic Fiber Optic Connector Angular Movement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hermaphroditic fiber optic connectors face issues with secure alignment and stability due to angular movement caused by bayonet-type connectors, particularly when connecting single mode cables, which can lead to signal disruption and transmission loss.
Innovation Solution
A hermaphroditic connector design featuring a coupling nut with a groove system that captures radial ears from both connectors, combined with a spring mechanism and alignment pins, to ensure precise alignment and secure engagement without the need for J-shaped grooves, limiting rotation to prevent loosening and maintain stable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If bayonet type connectors are used, then coupling speed is improved, but angular movement occurs causing connection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into multiple functional segments: alignment pins for positioning, ears for engagement, and a groove system for capturing and limiting movement. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of connection stability while maintaining rapid coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary element between the ears and the connector body, capturing the ears during coupling and limiting their movement range. This intermediary structure prevents direct angular movement between connector faces while maintaining the bayonet-style quick connection.
2Reliability
If pins are moved into locking recess of J-shaped groove, then connection security is improved, but connector faces move apart allowing angular movement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having pins move into a J-shaped groove as in conventional bayonet connectors, this invention inverts the approach by using ears that extend radially outward and are captured by a groove system. The groove captures the ears in a way that maintains connector face alignment while providing secure engagement, eliminating the need for J-shaped grooves and their associated angular movement problems.
3Reliability
If single mode cables are connected, then transmission quality is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pins perform preliminary positioning action before the final coupling is completed. By establishing precise alignment between connector faces through the alignment pins and groove system, the subsequent coupling operation maintains high alignment precision required for single mode fiber connections, ensuring optimal transmission quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A hermaphroditic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality of optical fibers and connecting the fibers to mating optical fibers wherein the optical fibers and mating optical fibers have termini mounted to the respective ends thereof, and wherein the termini of at least one of the optical fibers is slidably mounted and biased to provide a predetermined amount of longitudinal travel during connection includes a plug insert for mounting the termini, a generally cylindrical plug body for receiving the plug insert through an open end thereof, the plug body including a mating end with a plurality of mating features configured to cooperate with corresponding mating features of a second connector to align the termini of the first and second connectors in opposed relationship, a plurality of ears extending radially from the mating end of the plug body, a coupling nut slidably mounted on the plug including a groove formed between a plurality of ribs extending around an inside nut so that rotation of the coupling nut in a forward position captures the ears of the connector and the ears of the second connector in the groove in opposed relationship between the ribs.