Modular Optical Fiber Connector Design for Multi-Type Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing costs of optical fiber connectors are due to the need for different components and assembly procedures for various types, such as FC, SC, LC, and ST connectors, which increases raw material costs and production complexity.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connector design featuring a housing unit and a coupling unit with a hollow seat, coupling seat, core tube, and biasing member, allowing for easy modification to accommodate different connector types by altering the hollow seat and outer shell, reducing the need for multiple components and assembly procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different components and assembly procedures are used for various connector types (FC, SC, LC, ST), then each connector type can be optimized for its specific characteristics, but manufacturing costs increase due to higher raw material costs and production complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single housing unit with a standardized coupling unit that can accommodate multiple connector types (FC, SC, LC, ST) through modular components. The coupling unit includes a hollow seat and biasing member that can be configured to support different connector specifications, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each connector type and thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connector into distinct modular components: a housing unit and a coupling unit. The coupling unit is further segmented into a hollow seat, coupling seat, core tube, and biasing member. This segmentation allows for flexible reconfiguration of components to match different connector types while using the same basic manufacturing processes and tooling, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of components and assembly procedures are used for different connector types, then specific connector characteristics can be achieved, but the number of manufacturing and assembly procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal coupling unit design allows a single assembly procedure to produce multiple connector types. The hollow seat and biasing member can be configured with different dimensions or features to accommodate FC, SC, LC, or ST connectors, but the assembly process remains standardized, reducing procedure complexity while maintaining specification adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is designed to be adjustable or reconfigurable to provide different biasing forces or positions depending on the connector type being assembled. This dynamic adjustability allows the same coupling unit to adapt to different connector specifications without requiring separate assembly procedures for each type.
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 enables the production of various optical fiber connector types with reduced material costs and simplified manufacturing processes, promoting interchangeability and adaptability to different connector specifications.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is for providing a biasing force to bias the core tube away from the coupling seat
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical fiber connector includes a housing unit (3) and a coupling unit (4). The housing unit (3) includes an outer shell (31). The coupling unit (4) includes a hollow seat (41) assembled to the outer shell (31), a coupling seat (42) assembled to the hollow seat (41) and disposed in the outer shell (31), a core tube (43) having a front portion disposed in the hollow seat (41) and a rear portion proximate to the coupling seat (42), and a biasing member (44) for providing a biasing force to bias the core tube (43) away from the coupling seat (42).