Mini-IP Optical Fiber Connector with Integrated Housing Channels

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional optical fiber connectors are bulky due to numerous constituent parts, leading to larger diameters and complex assembly processes, which hinders the development of ultra-high density cabling with low loss budgets in data centers.

Innovation Solution

The design of optical fiber connectors with fewer components, featuring a connector housing with integral front and rear portions, a ferrule, and channels for optical and strength members, along with a ¼ turn coupling nut and O-rings, results in a smaller diameter of about 14 mm, eliminating the need for separate ferrule assemblies and crimping members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional optical fiber connectors use multiple constituent parts (protective dust cap, connector housing, ferrule barrel assembly, coil spring, insert, crimping member, clip member, protective boot), then the connector provides comprehensive protection and functionality, but the outside diameter becomes large and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingress protectionVSAvoidnumber of constituent parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (connector housing, ferrule, crimping member, protective boot) into an integrated connector housing structure with built-in channels for strength members and ferrule retention, reducing the total part count while maintaining ingress protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, houses the ferrule, secures strength members through integrated channels, and provides ingress protection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional optical fiber connectors use multiple constituent parts, then the connector provides comprehensive protection, but the outside diameter becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingress protectionVSAvoidoutside diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (connector housing, ferrule, crimping member, protective boot) into an integrated connector housing structure with built-in channels for strength members and ferrule retention, reducing the total part count while maintaining ingress protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strength members are nested within channels of the connector housing, and the ferrule is retained within the housing structure, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes the overall outside diameter while maintaining protective functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If traditional optical fiber connectors use multiple constituent parts, then the connector provides comprehensive protection, but the assembly and manufacturing processes become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingress protectionVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (connector housing, ferrule, crimping member, protective boot) into an integrated connector housing structure with built-in channels for strength members and ferrule retention, reducing the total part count while maintaining ingress protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector housing is pre-formed with integrated channels for strength member routing and ferrule retention features built-in during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps to install these protective elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9448369B1Ingress protected optical fiber connector having small diameter (mini-IP connector)

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 SENKO ADVANCED COMPONENTS INC

AI summary

An optical fiber connector including a connector housing having a front portion and a rear portion is disclosed. A ferrule is disposed in the connector housing such that it projects from the front portion of the connector housing. The rear portion of the connector housing includes a first channel configured to receive an optical fiber of an optical cable and to couple the optical fiber to the ferrule, and a second channel configured to receive a strength member of the optical cable. The optical fiber connector may be an ingress protected optical fiber connector, and may have an outside diameter less than about 15.8 mm, such as about 14 mm.