Optical Adapter Backlash Prevention via Leaf Spring Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backlash prevention mechanisms for optical connector adapters in high-density mounting fail to effectively prevent backlash in both vertical and lateral directions due to gaps between the adapter attaching hole and the adapter main body, leading to chattering sounds during panel vibration.
Innovation Solution
A backlash prevention mechanism featuring a pair of detachable C-shaped frame-like support portions with come-off preventing locking pieces and leaf spring-like backlash preventing locking pieces that are installed on the adapter main body, engaging with locking protrusions to securely pinch and fix the adapter attaching hole, preventing vertical and lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adapter main body is inserted to the adapter attaching hole using the conventional snap-in system, then the adapter can be fixed to the panel, but gaps are generated between the opening edge inner side and the adapter main body, causing backlash in vertical and lateral directions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking pieces (first locking piece for lateral direction, second locking piece for vertical direction) that can independently address gaps in different directions, thereby preventing multidirectional backlash while maintaining fixing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pieces act as intermediary elements between the adapter main body and the panel opening edge, filling the gaps and mediating the connection to eliminate backlash while maintaining the overall fixing structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the adapter main body is fixed using the snap-in system with locking protrusions and spring locking pieces, then the adapter can be attached to the panel, but chattering sound is generated when the panel is vibrated due to backlash
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic properties of the locking pieces, which could potentially cause instability, are converted into a benefit by allowing them to deform and fill gaps, thereby eliminating backlash and preventing chattering sound during vibration while maintaining ease of attachment
3Manufacturing precision
If processing errors occur between upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the adapter attaching hole and upper and lower side wall surfaces of the adapter main body, then gaps are generated, but the conventional backlash prevention tool cannot sufficiently prevent vertical backlash due to these gaps
Solution Approach 1:
Different locking pieces are designed with specific local properties: the first locking piece is optimized for lateral gap compensation while the second locking piece is optimized for vertical gap compensation, allowing each to effectively address manufacturing errors in their respective directions
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pieces are designed to be elastic and deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to gaps caused by manufacturing errors rather than relying on rigid fixed dimensions, thereby maintaining effective backlash prevention despite dimensional variations
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
The mechanism effectively prevents backlash in both vertical and lateral directions, eliminating chattering sounds and ensuring secure attachment of the adapter main body to the panel, even under vibration, by using C-shaped frames and leaf spring-like locking pieces to eliminate gaps and ensure proper alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of leaf spring-like backlash preventing locking pieces which are protruded in a diagonally outer direction from both sides and upper and lower side edges of the come-off preventing locking piece
Data Source
AI summary
A backlash prevention tool is formed by provision of a C-shaped frame-like support portion installed to an engagement surface portion hollowed out and formed from a side wall surface of an adapter main body toward upper and lower wall surfaces, a come-off preventing locking piece protruded in a diagonally outer direction from a center side edge of the support portion so as to face to locking protrusions formed at the center of both side surface portions of the adapter main body, and backlash preventing locking pieces protruded in diagonally outer directions of respective side edges in both sides and upper and lower sides of the come-off preventing locking piece at the center of the support portion so as to come into pressure contact with respective sides of an inner side of an opening edge of an adapter attaching hole of a panel and are formed into a leaf spring.