Optical Connector Holder Ribs for Assembly Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical connectors suffer from positional displacement issues during assembly due to the lack of interacting ribs and groove portions, leading to inferior assembly quality.

Innovation Solution

The optical connector incorporates a holder with ribs that extend along the inserting direction, fitted into groove portions in the housing, featuring a temporary engagement portion for initial alignment and a formal engagement portion for secure positioning, preventing pivoting or inclination during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a positioning projection is used to determine the assembling position of the holders relative to the housing, then the assembly position can be determined, but positional displacements occur where the holders are pivoted or inclined to the housing during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly position determinationVSAvoidholder positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement portion is divided into two distinct segments: a temporary engagement portion for initial positioning and a formal engagement portion for final securement. This segmentation allows the holder to be guided into the correct position temporarily, then firmly locked to prevent any pivoting or inclination, thereby resolving the contradiction between determining assembly position and maintaining positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary engagement portion performs a preliminary action by guiding the holder into the correct assembly position before the final engagement. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the holder is correctly aligned before being firmly secured by the formal engagement portion, preventing positional displacements during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the holder is inserted into the housing without additional positioning structures, then the assembly process is simple, but positional displacement occurs where the holder may be pivoted or inclined to the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly process simplicityVSAvoidholder positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and engagement functions are merged into a single integrated engagement portion structure that includes both temporary and formal engagement portions. This merged design provides precise positioning guidance while maintaining a relatively simple assembly process, as the holder is guided and secured in one continuous insertion motion without requiring separate positioning steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary engagement portion acts as an intermediary structure that guides the holder into the correct position during insertion. This intermediary positioning mechanism ensures accurate holder positioning without complicating the overall assembly process, as it provides natural guidance during the insertion motion itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2801850B1Optical connector
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2801850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2801850B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2801850B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical connector (1) includes: an optical fiber (3); a ferrule (7) provided at an end of the optical fiber (3) to allow a core (5) of the optical fiber (3) to be inserted through the ferrule (7); a housing (9) for accommodating the ferrule (7); a holder (13) inserted into the housing (9) and engaged with the housing (9) through an engagement portion (11) to allow the housing (9) to hold the ferrule (7); ribs (15) provided in the holder (13) so as to extend along an inserting direction of the holder (13) into the housing; and fitting portions (17) to which the ribs (15) are fitted.