Movable Plug Connector Assembly for Reliable Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical and fiber optic connector assemblies require continuous axial force to maintain connections, which can damage components over time, necessitating a solution that allows for secure connection and disconnection without continuous force application.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a plug body with a coupling mechanism and a rotatable outer housing that surrounds an inner body, allowing for secure engagement with a receiving module without continuous axial force, utilizing a cable channel and cable conductors that gather or tighten depending on the position of the plug body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latch is permanently depressed to allow free insertion and withdrawal of the LC connector, then ease of operation is improved, but continuous insertion force damages the SFP transceiver, mounting hardware, or inner circuitry over time
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate functional components: the outer housing with coupling mechanism that remains stationary, and the inner body that moves independently to engage/disengage the plug body. This segmentation allows the coupling mechanism to maintain connection without continuous axial force on the SFP transceiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner body is designed to be movable relative to the outer housing, transitioning between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic structure enables the connector to engage and disengage the plug body without requiring permanent depression of the latch, eliminating continuous force application to the SFP transceiver.
2Reliability
If continuous insertion force is applied to maintain connection between LC connector and SFP transceiver, then connection reliability is improved, but components are damaged over time
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is separated from the axial force transmission path. The outer housing with latch provides connection stability through lateral engagement, while the inner body handles axial movement, preventing continuous force from damaging the SFP transceiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable inner body acts as an intermediary between the stationary outer housing and the plug body. It absorbs and isolates the axial forces required for engagement and disengagement, protecting the SFP transceiver and mounting hardware from damage while maintaining connection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the plug body is held near or within the inner body and made movable, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is segmented into an outer housing, inner body, and plug body, where only the inner body and plug body are movable. This segmentation provides the necessary movement for ease of operation while keeping the stationary outer housing with coupling mechanism relatively simple in structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly configured to connect a plug body into a receiving module of an electrical device is provided. The connector assembly has a cable end and a plug end and a cable channel extending therethrough. The connector assembly includes an inner body having and an outer housing that is coupled to and surrounds at least a portion of the inner body. The outer housing is configured to attach to the electrical device. The connector assembly further includes a plug having the plug body and at least one cable conductor extending through the cable channel and connecting to the plug body. The plug body is held near or within the inner body and is movable from a first position near or within the inner body to a second position engaged with the receiving module.