One-Piece Optical Fiber Adapter Merging Components to Simplify Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber adapters have a complex assembly process due to multiple parts, which results in a time-consuming and cumbersome ultrasonic welding process, leading to the presence of welding lines and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A simplified optical fiber adapter design featuring a unitary molded plastic main body with integrated inner housings, elastic plates, and stop blocks, allowing for easier assembly without welding, with inner housings that restrict movement and secure positioning within the main body's passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts are used to form the optical fiber adapter, then the adapter can be assembled with different components, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (outer housing, inner housing, and sleeve) into a single integrated adapter body. The adapter body is designed with an integrated structure that incorporates the functions of the outer housing, inner housing, and sleeve, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components and simplifying the overall assembly process.
2Strength
If ultrasonic welding is used to join parts, then the parts can be securely attached, but welding lines appear and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for ultrasonic welding by integrating the outer housing, inner housing, and sleeve into a single molded adapter body. This merging of components removes the joining process entirely, avoiding welding lines and the complexity of the welding process while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated design.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple parts are assembled together, then the adapter can be manufactured with modular components, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces assembly time by combining multiple modular components into a single integrated adapter body that can be manufactured as one piece. The integrated design eliminates the need to assemble separate outer housing, inner housing, and sleeve components, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining ease of manufacture through injection molding or similar processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The optical fiber adapter of the present disclosure includes a main body and a pair of inner housings. The main body has a passage defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The passage has opposing first and second openings in an axial direction. A first stop block is positioned on the first wall. A second stop block is positioned on the third wall. A first elastic plate and a second elastic plate are positioned within the passage. The inner housings are positioned within the passage, wherein the inner housing includes a flange and a hollow cylinder extending from the flange. The flanges of the two inner housings are attached to each other and are positioned between the first stop block and first elastic plate, and between the second stop block and second elastic plate.