Male Plug Optical Connector Adapter for Legacy Connector Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic connectors face challenges in providing quick and easy manufacturing while ensuring compatibility with both legacy and new connector designs, requiring complex alignment and mating processes that affect network flexibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The development of male plug multi-fiber optical connectors with a conversion adapter, comprising a ferrule, nosepiece, and connector housing, allows for easy assembly and optical mating with dissimilar connectors through a retainer and coupling nut, enabling backwards compatibility and reliable performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic connectors are designed to support multiple fibers with complex alignment requirements, then optical mating performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ferrule as an intermediary component that holds and aligns multiple optical fibers. The ferrule's precise geometry and mating interface serve as a mediator that automatically aligns multiple fibers during connector mating, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring consistent optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: the ferrule (holding fibers), the connector body (providing structural support and alignment features), and the mating interface (enabling connection). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining overall performance
2Reliability
If connector designs are updated with improved characteristics, then optical performance is enhanced, but compatibility with legacy equipment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates a universal mating interface that can accommodate both legacy and modern connector types. The ferrule geometry and connector body features are designed to work with multiple connector standards, allowing a single connector design to serve multiple functions and maintain compatibility across different equipment generations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features and keying mechanisms in the connector design that pre-establish compatibility with legacy equipment before mating occurs. These pre-designed interface features ensure that improved-performance connectors can be integrated into existing networks without requiring changes to legacy infrastructure
3Manufacturing precision
If multi-fiber connectors are manufactured with precise alignment features, then optical mating performance is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule and connector body are designed with self-aligning features such as tapered surfaces, precision-machined bores, and mechanical keying elements that automatically position fibers and components correctly during assembly. This self-service alignment mechanism eliminates the need for complex external alignment equipment and skilled manual adjustment, achieving high precision while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple alignment functions into integrated structural features of the ferrule and connector body rather than using separate adjustment mechanisms. The mechanical structure itself provides the alignment function, merging form and function into a single manufacturable component that achieves precision through design rather than post-processing
Data Source
AI summary
Male plug fiber optic connectors and a conversion adapter for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same, thereby providing backwards compatibility with existing optical networks. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing having a female key disposed on the outer surface along with a threaded portion integrally formed on the connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector using the conversion adapter for legacy connectivity while also mating with other devices without using the conversion adapter. In one embodiment, the conversion adapter comprises a retainer that cooperates with the threaded portion of the connector housing for securing the conversion adapter to the male plug fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for optical mating with dissimilar optical connectors with a quick and easy assembly for rugged applications or other optical communication networks.