Optical Connector Tab Latching Rearward Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical connectors mounted at high density make it difficult for operators to perform insertion and removal operations due to limited space between adjacent connectors, necessitating a solution to reduce the width dimension while maintaining functionality.

Innovation Solution

An optical connector design featuring a ferrule, housing, and a tab member with an operation section located rearward of the coupling, where the tab member is latched from the inside, allowing the coupling to move rearward and facilitating connection and disconnection by reducing the width dimension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tab member is attached to the outside of the coupling to facilitate insertion and removal operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the width dimension of the optical connector increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertion and removalVSAvoidwidth dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tab member is latched from the inside of the coupling rather than being attached to the outside, allowing the tab to be nested within the coupling structure. This nesting approach maintains the ease of operation functionality while avoiding the increase in width dimension that would result from external attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The operation section of the tab member is positioned at the rear side of the coupling rather than extending laterally. This repositioning in the depth dimension (front-rear direction) instead of the width dimension allows operators to perform insertion and removal operations without increasing the width footprint of the connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If optical connectors are mounted at high density, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to limited space between adjacent connectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting densityVSAvoidease of insertion and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the operation section at the rear side of the coupling and having the tab member latch from the inside, the operational interface is moved to a different spatial dimension. This allows high-density mounting in the width direction while maintaining adequate access to the operation section from the rear, thus preserving ease of operation despite increased mounting density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11435532B2Optical connector and optical connector replacement component unit

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 FUJIKURA LTD

AI summary

An optical connector includes: a ferrule that holds a tip of an optical fiber; a housing that houses the ferrule; a coupling that releases a latched state of the optical connector by moving to a rear side of the optical connector with respect to the housing; and a tab member that includes an operation section disposed farther toward the rear side of the optical connector than the coupling, and that causes the coupling to move to the rear side of the optical connector with respect to the housing when the operation section is pulled. The tab member is latched from the inside of the coupling.