Optical Connector Fixing Member Inversion Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical connector fixing members face difficulties in releasing their engaged state in a small space, especially when other elements are mounted around the receptacle, due to the need to spread the engagement section outward, which can be challenging and may require additional space.

Innovation Solution

The optical-connector fixing member features a pair of engagement side plate parts that can be released by inserting a tool into a gap between them and spreading outward, allowing for easy disengagement even in confined spaces by narrowing the gap towards the substrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the engagement section is designed to spread outward for release, then the engaged state can be released, but additional space is required around the receptacle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of releaseVSAvoidspace around receptacle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of spreading the engagement section outward from the outside for release, the patent inverts the approach by enabling release from the inside. The removal tool is inserted through a hole in the ferrule to push the engagement section inward, causing it to spread outward and disengage from the receptacle. This inversion allows release operation in confined spaces without requiring additional external space around the receptacle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a removal tool as an intermediary device that passes through the ferrule to interact with the engagement section. This intermediary tool enables the release operation by transmitting force from the operator through the ferrule to the engagement section, allowing indirect manipulation of the engagement section without requiring direct external access to spread it outward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If space is provided around the receptacle to facilitate releasing, then the engaged state can be released easily, but elements cannot be laid out on the substrate at high densities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of releaseVSAvoiddensity of elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting the release mechanism to operate from the inside out. The removal tool inserted through the ferrule pushes the engagement section inward, which then spreads outward to release from the receptacle. This eliminates the need for external space around the receptacle, allowing high-density element layout on the substrate while maintaining easy release capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The removal tool is nested within the ferrule structure, passing through its hole to reach the engagement section. This nesting arrangement allows the release mechanism to be contained within the existing connector structure without requiring additional external space, enabling high-density substrate layout while preserving release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of repair

If the engagement section is spread outward for release, then the ferrule can be removed, but the operation becomes difficult in small spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of removalVSAvoiddifficulty in small space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional release approach by enabling the removal tool to access and push the engagement section from the inside through the ferrule's hole. This inversion transforms a difficult external spreading operation into an easy internal pushing operation, allowing ferrule removal in small spaces without requiring manual manipulation of outward-spreading engagement sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The removal tool serves as an intermediary that simplifies the removal operation in confined spaces. By inserting this tool through the ferrule's hole, the operator can push the engagement section inward without requiring direct access to spread it outward, making the removal process easy even in small spaces where manual spreading would be difficult.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9720193B2Optical-connector fixing member, optical connector, and optical connector device

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 FUJIKURA LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an optical-connector fixing member including: an upper plate part for pressing, toward a receptacle provided on a substrate, a ferrule that holds an end section of an optical fiber; and a pair of engagement side plate parts formed so as to extend from the upper plate part toward the substrate, each engagement side plate part having a connector-side engagement section that engages with a receptacle-side engagement section formed on a side surface of the receptacle. An engaged state in which the connector-side engagement section is engaged with the receptacle-side engagement section is releasable by inserting an end section of a tool into a gap between each engagement side plate part and a member that is arranged between the pair of engagement side plate parts, and spreading each engagement side plate part outward.