Optical-Electrical Connector With Two-Stage Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical-electrical connectors face issues with signal disconnection due to loose outer housings, where the electrical signal remains intact but the optical signal is interrupted, leading to power continuity without optical signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The optical-electrical connector employs a locking device for both optical and electrical modules, ensuring simultaneous locking during insertion and a two-stage unlocking mechanism for safe unplugging, where the electrical module is released first to prevent accidental disconnection of the optical signal path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outer housing of the conventional optical-electrical connector is loose to allow easy insertion and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of signal transmission deteriorates because the optical connector module can be accidentally pulled away from the optical adapter while the electrical connector module remains connected
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two independent modules: an optical connector module and an electrical connector module. Each module has its own locking mechanism that operates independently. The optical connector module includes optical fibers and associated locking structures, while the electrical connector module includes electrical contacts and its own locking structures. This segmentation allows the optical module to be locked and unlocked independently from the electrical module, preventing accidental disconnection of the optical signal path while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism employs dynamic control where the optical connector module and electrical connector module can be locked and unlocked in different sequences. During insertion, both modules are locked simultaneously or in sequence. During removal, the optical module is unlocked first while the electrical module remains locked, providing dynamic control over the disconnection process to prevent accidental optical signal loss while maintaining operational ease.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical connector module and electrical connector module are locked simultaneously during insertion, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for coordinated locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two independent modules: an optical connector module and an electrical connector module. Each module has its own locking mechanism that operates independently. The optical connector module includes optical fibers and associated locking structures, while the electrical connector module includes electrical contacts and its own locking structures. This segmentation allows the optical module to be locked and unlocked independently from the electrical module, preventing accidental disconnection of the optical signal path while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A base structure serves as an intermediary component that supports both the optical connector module and electrical connector module. The base provides a common mounting platform and coordination interface, allowing the two modules to be positioned and locked in a coordinated manner during insertion, while still enabling independent unlocking during removal. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall locking mechanism by providing a centralized coordination point.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical-electrical connector and an optical-electrical module thereof, wherein the optical-electrical module comprises the optical-electrical connector and an optical adapter, and the optical-electrical connector comprises an optical connector module, and an electrical connector module slidably coupled to the optical connector module, wherein when the optical-electrical connector is taken away from the an optical adapter by a pulling force, the electrical connector module is unlocked to slide out of the optical adapter earlier than the optical connector module, and the electrical connector module is driven to unlock the optical connector module to release from the optical adapter.