MPO Connector High-Density Release Clip and Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-density and ultra-high-density applications, MPO connectors are challenging to insert and remove due to limited access and space constraints, and existing solutions like pull tabs increase connector size and require dedicated accessories.

Innovation Solution

The MPO connector design includes a clip with laterally extending posts that allows for indirect manipulation using a specialized tool, enabling translation of the outer housing relative to the inner housing for insertion and removal without increasing connector dimensions or requiring additional accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pull tab is attached to the outer housing to facilitate connector removal, then connector removal is enabled, but the overall profile and longitudinal length of the connector increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector removalVSAvoidlongitudinal length of connector

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The release clip is nested within the outer housing structure, with the clip body positioned inside the outer housing and the latch arms extending to engage with the housing. This nesting approach allows the release mechanism to be integrated into the existing connector footprint rather than adding external protrusions, thereby enabling connector removal functionality without increasing the overall longitudinal length of the connector assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the pull tab longitudinally along the connector axis (one dimension), the invention utilizes lateral extension of posts from the clip body (perpendicular dimension). The laterally extending posts provide engagement points for removal tools in a transverse direction, transforming the problem from longitudinal space consumption to lateral space utilization, thus maintaining compact longitudinal profile while enabling removal functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a pull tab is attached to the outer housing, then connector removal is facilitated, but the overall profile of the outer housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector removalVSAvoidoverall profile of outer housing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If pull tabs are used for each connector, then connector removal is enabled, but each connector requires its own dedicated accessory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector removalVSAvoidnumber of accessories required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release clip incorporates laterally extending posts that serve as universal engagement points for standard removal tools. Rather than requiring unique pull tabs for each connector, the standardized post geometry allows a single tool design to interact with multiple connectors through the posts, enabling one tool to perform the removal function across many connectors, thereby reducing accessory complexity and enabling tool reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If direct access to the outer housing is attempted in high-density applications, then connector manipulation may be possible, but access is blocked due to close spacing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector manipulationVSAvoidaccessibility in dense environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The laterally extending posts act as intermediary elements that protrude from the clip body and provide external engagement points for removal tools. These posts serve as mediators between the tool and the inner housing, allowing force to be applied indirectly to the outer housing through the clip mechanism, thereby enabling connector manipulation in high-density environments where direct access to the outer housing is blocked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230025487A1MPO connector with high-density release clip and connector release tool

Publication Date: 2023.01.26 SUNCALL TECH SZ

AI summary

A multi-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) connector and an MPO connector tool configured to facilitate insertion and removal into and from an MPO adapter. The MPO connector includes a ferrule, an inner housing holding the ferrule, an outer housing slidably coupled to the inner housing, and a clip coupled to one end of the outer housing and including a main body, a pair of longitudinally extending latch arms for engaging the outer housing, and a pair of laterally extending posts extending from the main body. In use, the MPO connector tool is positionable to apply a force on the laterally extending posts to translate the clip thereby translating the outer housing longitudinally to facilitate connector insertion and removal.