Optical Connector Polarity Adjustment and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors lack a convenient mechanism for adjusting polarity and ensuring structural rigidity, particularly in high-density optical module communications like 400G QSFF-DD, where multiple assembly elements can compromise connector stability.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector with a rotating polarity adjusting mechanism and a double buckle cover design, featuring an integrally formed accommodation base and a cover with extending covers and buckle structures to securely position the polarity adjusting portion, reducing the number of assembly elements and enhancing rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple assembly elements are used to form the accommodation base, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the rigidity of the optical connector deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation base is designed as an integral structure where the base body and support walls are formed as a single piece. This merging of multiple components into one eliminates the assembly elements while maintaining ease of manufacture through integral forming processes, thereby preserving structural rigidity without compromise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating polarity adjusting mechanism is added, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarity adjusting portion is designed to rotate relative to the accommodation base, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of terminal connections. This rotational mechanism allows the connector to adapt between different polarity configurations (e.g., straight-through and crossed connections) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through controlled movement rather than multiple fixed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating polarity adjusting portion enables a single connector design to serve multiple polarity configurations. By incorporating this rotation mechanism, the same physical connector can be used for different connection scenarios (direct connect, crossed connect), eliminating the need for multiple dedicated connectors and reducing overall system complexity despite the added adjustment capability.
3Reliability
If the cover with extending covers is used, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into a main body and multiple extending covers that correspond to individual terminal accommodation portions. Each extending cover can independently engage with its corresponding terminal, providing reliable protection and positioning. This segmentation allows the cover to maintain reliability through distributed engagement points while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The extending covers are integrated extensions of the main cover body rather than separate components. This nested design where the extending covers are part of the unified cover structure provides reliable coverage for multiple terminals while avoiding the complexity of separate assembly elements, as the entire cover assembly functions as a single integrated protective component.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical connector comprising an accommodation base, a terminal module, a cover, and a polarity adjusting portion. The accommodation base comprises an accommodation space communicating with an opening formed at a side of the accommodation base, and at least one terminal accommodation portion for accommodating the terminal module. The cover is arranged on the opening for sealing the opening. The cover further comprises extending covers corresponding to the terminal accommodation portions, respectively. Each extending cover has a first buckle structure. The polarity adjusting portion is rotatably coupled to the terminal accommodation portion. When the polarity adjusting portion is rotated to a predetermined position, a second buckle structure formed on the polarity adjusting portion is coupled to the first buckle structure for positioning the polarity adjusting portion.