Optical Plug Connector Inner Housing for Sealed Strain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connector devices, particularly optical plug connectors, face challenges in construction, assembly reliability, strain relief, and environmental protection such as water and dust ingress.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector device with an outer housing and an inner housing comprising two inner housing elements, which are configured to receive a plug element. The inner housing elements have receiving sections for a fixing element, allowing for improved assembly and strain relief, and the device is designed to be environmentally sealed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional plug connector structure is used, then the construction is simpler, but the assembly reliability and strain relief are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing is divided into two separate inner housing elements that are connected to each other. This segmentation allows for improved assembly reliability through the receiving sections that securely engage the fixing element, while the modular nature manages construction complexity by allowing standardized connection methods between the elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The two inner housing elements are nested together to form the complete inner housing structure. The receiving sections of one element engage with corresponding features of the other element, creating a nested configuration that enhances assembly reliability through interlocking geometry while maintaining manageable construction complexity.
2Strength
If a traditional housing structure is used, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but the strain relief capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing is segmented into two elements with receiving sections designed to accommodate the fixing element. This segmentation creates dedicated strain relief zones where the fixing element can be securely anchored, improving strain relief capability while the standardized geometry of the segments maintains ease of manufacture through modular production.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving sections of the inner housing elements are designed with specific local geometries optimized for strain relief. These localized features concentrate the strain relief function in specific areas where the fixing element engages, providing enhanced strain relief capability without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire housing structure.
3Ease of operation
If the inner housing elements are separate components, then the assembly flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing is segmented into two separate elements that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation provides assembly flexibility by allowing the elements to be pre-assembled with plug elements or tested separately before final integration, while the standardized receiving sections reduce the overall complexity by creating repeatable connection patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The two inner housing elements are designed with universal receiving sections that can accommodate the same fixing element geometry. This universality allows the same component design to be reused across different positions and configurations, improving assembly flexibility while actually reducing manufacturing complexity through component standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug connector device, in particular an optical plug connector device, with an outer housing and with an inner housing having at least one first inner housing element and at least one second inner housing element, which are in an assembled state together configured to receive at least one plug element.The first inner housing element and the second inner housing element have at least one receiving section that is configured to receive a fixing element.