Optical Connector with Retractable Pins and Reversible Polarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center upgrades face high costs and complexity due to the need for extensive replacements of optical communication connectors and cables, with increased complexity leading to higher risks of incorrect installations and larger Bills of Material.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication connector with retractable alignment pins and a reversible polarity key, allowing for easy change between male and female genders and polarity configurations, reducing the number of unique components required and simplifying installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive infrastructure replacement is undertaken to upgrade optical communication systems, then transmission speed and reliability are improved, but equipment cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a reusable body that can accommodate multiple connector types (e.g., LC, SC, ST) through interchangeable coupling nuts and alignment features. This universal design allows a single connector body to serve multiple functions, reducing the need for separate connector inventories and simplifying installation procedures while maintaining high transmission reliability across different fiber optic standards
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unique connector parts are ordered to match different cable types and polarities, then compatibility with existing infrastructure is improved, but the number of unique parts and Bill of Material complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a universal body design that can interface with multiple cable types and polarity configurations through interchangeable components such as coupling nuts, alignment pins, and polarity reversal mechanisms. This reduces the total number of unique connector bodies needed while maintaining compatibility across different fiber optic standards and installation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates nested, interchangeable components within a single connector body, including removable coupling nuts, adjustable alignment pins, and polarity reversal elements. These nested components allow a single connector body to be configured for multiple connector types (LC, SC, ST) and polarity arrangements, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining adaptability
3Manufacturing precision
If connector gender is fixed during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different installation requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates dynamic, reconfigurable elements such as movable alignment pins and interchangeable coupling nuts that allow the connector gender (male/female) to be changed in the field. The alignment pins can be repositioned between extended and retracted states, and coupling nuts can be swapped to change connector type, enabling a single manufactured connector to adapt to different gender requirements without compromising initial manufacturing precision
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector. Such a feature may be actuated by being moved from a first position to a second position relative to the communication connector.