Optical Fiber Assembly Load Isolation via Pressable Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

The connection of optical fiber assemblies to electronic devices requires applying load, which can damage the fibers, converters, or circuits during the pressing action.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber assembly design where a pressable part is positioned on the circuit board without contacting the converters or optical fibers, allowing load to be applied only to the external connecting part for connection to the electronic device, thereby avoiding stress on the sensitive components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical fiber assembly is pressed against the host circuit board to connect the connector, then the connection is established, but load is applied to the optical fiber, converter, or circuit which may cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidload on optical fiber
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is divided into two distinct regions: a first region for mounting sensitive components (converter, optical fiber, circuit) and a second region for mounting the pressable part. This spatial segmentation ensures that when load is applied to the pressable part during connection, the force is isolated to the second region and does not transfer to the sensitive components in the first region, thereby maintaining connection reliability without damaging the optical fiber or converter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressable part acts as an intermediary element between the external connector and the circuit board. It is positioned on the second region of the circuit board and configured to receive and absorb the pressing load during connection. This intermediary structure protects the sensitive components by bearing the mechanical stress itself, preventing direct transmission of load to the optical fiber, converter, or circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the pressable part is positioned close to the converter and optical fiber for compact design, then the assembly size is reduced, but the risk of load transfer to sensitive components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly volumeVSAvoidcomponent integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is divided into two distinct regions: a first region for mounting sensitive components (converter, optical fiber, circuit) and a second region for mounting the pressable part. This spatial segmentation ensures that when load is applied to the pressable part during connection, the force is isolated to the second region and does not transfer to the sensitive components in the first region, thereby maintaining connection reliability without damaging the optical fiber or converter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the circuit board are assigned different functional qualities: the first region is designed to host sensitive components requiring protection from mechanical stress, while the second region is designed to accommodate the pressable part that intentionally receives mechanical load. This local differentiation of functional quality allows the assembly to be compact while maintaining component integrity through zone-based stress management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3441809B1Optical fiber assembly and connection structure of optical fiber assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 HOSIDEN CORP
  • EP3441809B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3441809B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3441809B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The invention provides an optical fiber assembly that is connectable to an electronic device without applying load on an optical fiber, a converter, or a circuit of the assembly. An assembly A1 includes a circuit board 100, a converter 200, an optical fiber 300, a circuit 400, an external connecting part 500, and a pressable part. The circuit board 100 includes a first face 110 and a second face 120. The first face 110 has a first region 111 and a second region 112. The second face 120 has a third region 121 on the opposite side to the first region 111 and a fourth region 122 on the opposite side to second region 112. The converter 200 and the circuit 400 are provided on the first region 111 and electrically connected to each other. The optical fiber 300 includes a first portion 310 optically connected to the converter 200. The external connecting part 500 is provided on the fourth region 122. The pressable part is fixed to the circuit board 100 such as to be positioned over the second region 112 without contacting the converter 200, the optical fiber 300, or the circuit 400.