Optical Connector Protection Cap Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protection caps for optical connector plugs lack a secure locking mechanism, leading to potential detachment during use or transfer, and may scratch the plug body due to rib formation, while also being complex and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A protection cap with a truncated approximately rectangular pyramidal leading end and rectangular tubular rear end, featuring elastic side plates with slits and a locking mechanism that engages with the spring push, preventing detachment and dust intrusion without requiring ribs for retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ribs are formed in the cap main body to lock and retain the spring push, then the protection cap can be retained on the plug main body, but the outer surface of the spring push may be scratched by the ribs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locking mechanism as an intermediary component between the cap main body and the spring push. This locking mechanism protrudes from the cap main body and engages with a corresponding groove on the spring push, providing retention without direct contact between ribs and the spring push outer surface, thereby preventing scratches while maintaining reliable retention
2Device complexity
If the protection cap is simply put on the spring push without a locking mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the protection cap may be carelessly detached during use or transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism serves as an intermediary that provides reliable retention while adding minimal complexity. It consists of a protruding locking portion on the cap main body that engages with a groove on the spring push, creating a simple yet effective interlocking system that prevents careless detachment without requiring complex multi-component locking systems
3Reliability
If elastic latches are built in the dust cap as in patent document 1, then the protection cap can be locked, but the structure becomes complicated and bulky with high manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex elastic latch mechanisms and implements it through a simplified protruding locking portion that engages with a groove. This extraction of the core functional requirement eliminates unnecessary complexity, reduces the number of parts, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers cost while maintaining reliable locking functionality
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 cap securely attaches and detaches easily, prevents dust entry, simplifies structure, and reduces manufacturing costs while avoiding scratches on the plug body.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of slits are provided at upper and lower positions of the right and left side plates or right and left positions of the upper and lower side plates of the cap main body from an opening end of the cap main body toward an inward occluded portion so that the side plates having elasticity are formed so as to face to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A cap main body is provided with an approximately rectangular conical occluded portion in a leading end side, an approximately rectangular tubular cover portion in an inner side of the occluded portion, and approximately rectangular tubular right and left and upper and lower side plates in a rear end side. A pair of slits are provided at upper and lower positions of the right and left side plates or right and left positions of the upper and lower side plates from an opening end of the cap main body toward an inward occluded portion so that elastic side plates are formed in a facing manner. A locking mechanism protruding out of an opening portion in a rear end of the cap main body and capable of locking to and unlocking from a spring push of the plug main body is provided in a leading end of the elastic side plates.