Optical Connector Plug Engagement Latch Elastic Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector plugs face challenges in maintaining a secure optical connection under varying loads and accidental disconnections due to the design limitations of engagement latches and guide protrusion portions, leading to potential communication cutoffs.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector plug design incorporates a ferrule with a spring mechanism and an engagement latch with an elastically deformable arm and engagement head, which securely engages with an optical connector adaptor by adjusting the position of the plug frame relative to the guide protrusion portions, ensuring stable connection and preventing unintentional disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the engagement latch uses a simple arm structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of maintaining secure connection under varying loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement latch arm is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to varying loads. The arm can deflect elastically when subjected to insertion forces or operational stresses, then return to its original position, maintaining reliable engagement without requiring a complex multi-component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement head's position along the arm is specifically optimized to change the mechanical parameters of the engagement system. By positioning the engagement head at a specific location on the elastically deformable arm, the system achieves optimal balance between connection strength and resistance to unintentional disengagement, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the engagement head is positioned closer to the guide protrusion portions, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of insertion deteriorates due to increased resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable arm provides dynamic compliance during the insertion process. When the plug frame is inserted, the arm can deflect elastically to accommodate the engagement head's interaction with the guide protrusion portions, reducing insertion resistance. Once inserted, the elastic recovery maintains stable engagement, thus resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement latch arm is pre-positioned and pre-loaded with elastic energy before insertion. This preliminary state allows the arm to immediately absorb insertion forces and guide the engagement head smoothly into its final position, reducing the overall insertion effort required while ensuring stable engagement upon completion.
3Measurement precision
If the spring urges the ferrule with high force, then the measurement precision of fiber alignment is improved, but the loss of time due to difficult insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides a dynamic, progressive force rather than a rigid, fixed force. During insertion, the spring can compress to allow the ferrule to move into alignment with the adaptor, reducing insertion resistance and time. Once aligned, the spring maintains precise positioning through its elastic force, ensuring measurement precision without sacrificing insertion speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary between the ferrule and the plug frame structure. It mediates the force transmission, providing sufficient urging force for precise alignment while allowing controlled compliance during insertion. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by decoupling the high force requirement from the insertion process itself.
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 design effectively maintains a stable optical connection under various loads and prevents accidental disconnections, ensuring reliable communication by adjusting the engagement head's position to prevent unintentional disengagement from the guide protrusion portions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, which is disposed between the ferrule and the stop ring, and is configured to urge the ferrule axially forward
Implementation Method 2
an arm, which extends in the axial direction from an axial rear side of the plug frame to the protrusion portion, and is elastically deformable in a vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical connector plug which, even when a predetermined load is applied to a plug frame and the plug frame is warped to a vertical upper side of a guide protrusion portion, prevents disengagement of an engagement head and an optical conductor adaptor. In an optical connector plug, an axial front end of an engagement head of an engagement latch is separated axially rearward from an axial rear end of a guide protrusion portion, and is close to the axial rear end of the guide protrusion portion. According to the optical connector plug, when a predetermined load is applied to a plug frame and the plug frame is warped to a vertical upper side of the guide protrusion portion, the axial front end of the engagement head is supported by the axial direction rear of the guide protrusion portion, so that the engagement head is prevented from moving vertically downward from the guide protrusion portion.