One-Piece LC Optical Fiber Adapter Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LC type optical fiber adapters are prone to separation due to stress, which can be mitigated by using metal materials, but this increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece LC type optical fiber adapter design featuring a unitary main body with an axial cavity, inner housing, and cover, where the inner housing is slid into the main body and secured with a molten protrusion from the cover, eliminating the need for separate halves and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the adapter is constructed from two halves connected by ultrasonic welding, then the adapter can be manufactured using plastic materials, but the stress from cable flexing causes the two halves to separate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two separate adapter halves into a single unitary main body structure. The main body is formed as one integrated piece that houses both connector positions, eliminating the joint between two halves that was prone to separation. This unified structure maintains plastic material advantages while solving the reliability issue of half-separation under stress.
2Strength
If metal materials are used to construct the adapter halves, then the adapter has enough strength to withstand stress, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adapter into functional components (main body, inner housing, cover) that can be manufactured separately using plastic injection molding and then assembled. The unitary main body provides the necessary structural strength while being manufactured from plastic, avoiding the need for expensive metal materials while maintaining adequate strength through proper structural design.
3Ease of manufacture
If the adapter consists of two separate halves, then the manufacturing process can be simplified, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (main body, inner housing, cover) into a streamlined assembly process. The unitary main body eliminates the need to join two halves, and the inner housing is snap-fit or inserted into the main body, reducing assembly steps. The cover simply closes the assembly, creating a straightforward three-component assembly process that is less complex than ultrasonic welding of two halves.
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
The one-piece design enhances durability and reduces the risk of adapter separation while simplifying assembly and reducing material costs compared to metal adapters.
Implementation Method 1
The indentation on the top of the compartment wall is configured to receive the protruding portion and molten protrusion on the cover when the protrusion on the cover is melted and the cover is brought to cover the access opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A one-piece LC type optical fiber adapter is provided. The LC type adapter of the present invention has fewer parts than a conventional one. Therefore, it is simpler and easier to assemble the LC type adapter of the present invention. In addition, the main body of the LC type adapter is unitary thereby avoiding the prior art problem that the stresses cause the two halves of the adapter to separate from each other after time.