Optical Connector Latch Mechanism for Oblique Force Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical connectors face issues with unintentional release of the inner housing from the outer housing when a force is applied in an oblique direction, leading to instability during removal from external devices.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector design includes second latches on the inner housing with elastically pushable engaging portions that are configured to resist extraction, and pushing portions on the outer housing that assist in releasing the engagement without direct pushing, enhancing the engaging force between the inner and outer housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inner housing is made extractable from the outer housing to enable polarity change, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unintentional release when force is applied obliquely
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into multiple independent latches (first latch and second latches) that engage with the outer housing at different positions. This segmentation allows the inner housing to be securely held while still enabling controlled extraction for polarity change, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the latch mechanism have different engagement characteristics. The first latch provides primary engagement with the external device, while the second latches provide supplementary engagement with the outer housing. This local differentiation of engagement quality ensures reliable connection during normal use while allowing intentional disengagement for polarity change.
2Reliability
If the engaging force between inner and outer housings is increased to prevent unintentional release, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics. The latches can be easily actuated by small forces applied to the tab, allowing smooth detachment when needed. During normal use, the latches maintain strong engagement automatically, providing reliable connection without requiring continuous manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab acts as an intermediary element that translates small user-applied forces into effective latching and unlatching actions. This intermediary mechanism allows easy operation during detachment while maintaining strong engagement during normal use, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If a simple latch mechanism is used for easy attachment and detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unintentional release under oblique force
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism combines multiple latching functions into a unified system where the first latch and second latches work together. This merging of multiple engagement points provides resistance to oblique forces while maintaining ease of operation through the tab actuation mechanism that controls all latches simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism operates in multiple dimensions: the first latch engages with the external device in one direction, while the second latches engage with the outer housing in another direction. This multi-dimensional engagement provides comprehensive resistance to forces applied from various directions while maintaining simple operation through tab movement.
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 design significantly increases the engaging force between the inner and outer housings, preventing unintentional release even when forces are applied obliquely, thereby improving the stability and ease of attachment and detachment.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the engaging portions is configured to be elastically pushable toward an inside of the inner housing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector includes first and second ferrules, first and second front housings each accommodating a corresponding ferrule of the first and second ferrules inside, an inner housing connected to rear ends of the first and second front housings, an outer housing including a first latch and accommodating the inner housing inside, and a tab disposed in a second direction intersecting a first direction with respect to the outer housing. The inner housing includes second latches disposed on first and second side portions respectively. The first and second side portions arranged in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction. The second latches include respective engaging portions that are engageable with the outer housing. Each of the engaging portions is pushed toward the inside of the inner housing to release a state of engagement between the inner housing and the outer housing.