Waterproof Optical Fiber Connector Elastic Latching Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof optical fiber assemblies are inconvenient for assembly and disassembly due to the need to properly disassemble the outer housing and fiber joining assembly in reverse order, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber connector features a housing assembly with elastic members and latching mechanisms that allow for secure assembly and easy disassembly by resisting forces and preventing damage, while maintaining a sealed environment against contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer housing and fiber joining assembly are assembled in a fixed sequence, then the sealing and protection performance is improved, but the assembly and disassembly convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the assembly sequence flexible rather than fixed. The latching mechanism allows the outer housing to be assembled at any time during the fiber joining assembly process, not just at the end. This dynamic approach maintains sealing reliability while significantly improving assembly convenience, as operators can assemble components in any logical sequence without needing to follow a strict predetermined order.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple components are assembled in a fixed sequence, then the protection against contaminants is improved, but the disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connector into distinct modular components (outer housing, fiber joining assembly, latching mechanism) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The latching mechanism serves as a separate functional element that enables easy separation of these segments. This modular segmentation maintains protective sealing while reducing disassembly complexity, as each component can be removed independently without needing to disassemble the entire assembly.
3Reliability
If the outer housing is assembled last to ensure sealing, then the protection performance is improved, but the time required for assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the outer housing to be assembled at any intermediate stage of the fiber joining assembly process, not necessarily waiting until the end. The latching mechanism is designed to accommodate the outer housing at various positions during assembly. This preliminary action approach maintains sealing reliability while reducing total assembly time, as operators can perform the outer housing assembly operation earlier in the process rather than having to wait for all other components to be fully assembled.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies the assembly and disassembly of optical fiber assemblies by using elastic members and latching mechanisms, ensuring secure connections and easy operation while maintaining protection against dust, moisture, and other contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member sleeved on the first housing, with a second housing latched to the first housing by the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber assembly includes an optical fiber connector, and an optical fiber adapter mating with the optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a fiber joining assembly, a first sealing member, an elastic member, and a housing assembly sleeved on the fiber joining assembly. The elastic member is slidably sleeved in the housing assembly with two ends of the elastic member resisting with the housing assembly. The optical fiber adapter includes a base board, a fixing seat protruding out from the base board, and a second sealing member sleeved on the outer surface of the fixing seat. The optical fiber adapter further includes two latching arms protruding out from the base board positioned at opposite sides of the fixing seat. The fixing seat axially defines an assembling groove for receiving the fiber joining assembly of the optical fiber connector.