Optical-Electrical Composite Connector for Unified Dual-Port Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical-electrical connector systems require separate optical and electrical connectors, leading to complex operations and increased device volume due to the need for dual interfaces and multiple plugging/unplugging steps.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical-electrical composite connector that combines an optical fiber and a cable within a single connector assembly, utilizing a front housing with an optical port and an electrical port on the same housing, allowing for simultaneous optical and electrical transmission without the need for separate cable accommodation spaces, thereby minimizing device volume and simplifying operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate optical connector and electrical connector are used, then optical transmission and electrical transmission can be implemented independently, but the device volume increases and operation complexity increases due to requiring two interfaces and multiple plugging/unplugging steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical connector and electrical connector into a single integrated connector assembly. The housing contains both an optical fiber for optical transmission and a cable with conductive terminal for electrical transmission, allowing both types of connection to be made simultaneously through one plugging action, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining full transmission capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The single connector assembly serves multiple functions: it provides both optical transmission through the optical fiber and electrical transmission through the cable with conductive terminal. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate connectors while maintaining adaptability for different transmission types
2Reliability
If separate optical connector and electrical connector are used, then each connector can be optimized for its specific function, but the operational complexity increases due to requiring two interfaces and multiple plugging/unplugging steps
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the optical and electrical connectors into one integrated assembly, the patent reduces the number of plugging/unplugging operations from two to one. The housing structure allows both the optical fiber and cable to be connected simultaneously, simplifying the operation while maintaining reliable connections for both transmission types
3Ease of manufacture
If separate optical connector and electrical connector are used, then each connector can be independently designed, but the device complexity increases due to requiring two separate interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate interface designs into a single integrated housing structure. The housing contains both the optical fiber pathway and the cable accommodation space with conductive terminal, consolidating what would have been two separate interfaces into one unified connection point, thereby reducing interface complexity while maintaining design flexibility for both optical and electrical components
Data Source
AI summary
A front housing of the optical-electrical composite connector is axially provided with a through groove passing through the front housing on the front housing, and an inner wall of the through groove is provided with a first groove. A rear housing includes a main body portion and a clamping portion connected to one end of the main body portion. An outer surface of the clamping portion is axially provided with a second groove, the clamping portion is located in the through groove, and the first groove is butted with the second groove to form an accommodation space. One end that is of the through groove and that is away from the main body portion is an optical port. The font housing is provided with an opening connecting to the accommodation space and the outside. The conductive terminal is accommodated in the opening, and the conductive terminal forms an electrical port.