Optical Cable Erroneous Fitting Prevention Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active optical cables for one-directional communication require distinct receptacles for transmission and reception optical modules to prevent erroneous fitting, which increases costs and risks damage to electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The optical cable incorporates an erroneous fitting prevention arrangement with asymmetrical cutouts and projections on the optical modules and receptacles, ensuring proper alignment and preventing incorrect connections before electrical contact is established.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distinct receptacles with different shapes are used for transmission and reception optical modules, then erroneous fitting is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a projection on one side of the optical module that corresponds to a cutout on the receptacle. This asymmetric feature ensures that the optical module can only be fitted to the correct receptacle in the proper orientation, preventing erroneous fitting while maintaining simple, standardized receptacle designs without requiring completely different shapes for transmission and reception receptacles.
2Reliability
If the shape of optical modules is made completely different, then erroneous fitting is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire optical module shape different, the patent introduces a simple asymmetric feature (projection/cutout) on a specific side of otherwise similar optical modules. This approach prevents erroneous fitting while minimizing manufacturing complexity and cost, as the base optical module design can remain standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by adding the asymmetric projection/cutout feature only at a specific location (one side) of the optical module rather than changing the entire module shape. This localized modification achieves the prevention of erroneous fitting with minimal impact on manufacturing cost and design complexity.
3Reliability
If asymmetrical cutouts and projections are added to optical modules, then erroneous fitting is prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric projection and cutout design provides a clear mechanical guide for proper alignment. The projection must fit into the cutout in a specific orientation, which naturally guides the assembly process and makes it easier to achieve proper alignment during manufacturing and assembly, thereby reducing the stringency of precision requirements compared to more complex interlocking designs.
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 configuration effectively prevents erroneous fitting, ensuring only correct connections are made, thereby avoiding malfunctions and potential damage to electronic components while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an active optical cable including an optical module having a photoelectric transducer attached to an end of the optical cable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A transmission connector (10) includes a transmission optical module (100) having a signal electrode (150) inputting/outputting an electric signal and a transmission receptacle (200) having a contact (290) to be electrically connected to the signal electrode (150) when fitted to the transmission optical module (100). The transmission modules (100) includes a second cutout (114) for preventing erroneous fitting to a reception receptacle (700). The transmission receptacle (200) includes a first projection (227) for preventing erroneous fitting to a reception optical module (600).