Optical Fiber Adapter Elastic Shutter for Laser Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber adapters either have complex structures or are costly due to the need for additional components like caps to obstruct high-power laser beams emitted during connector mating and disconnection, posing a risk to eye safety and being prone to loss or complexity.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber adapter with an integrated elastic shutter member that includes a fixing portion, shutter plate, and connecting portion, which is designed to clamp onto the main body and spring up to obstruct light beams when a connector is pulled out, preventing eye exposure without requiring detachment or additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cap is used to block the receiving recess, then the light beam is obstructed and the recess is protected from dust, but the cap is apt to get lost and requires removal for connector mating
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is integrally formed with the adapter housing and automatically activates itself during connector mating and disconnection operations. No separate cap needs to be manually removed or attached - the shutter serves itself by responding to the connector's presence, eliminating the risk of loss and simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter member acts as an intermediary between the connector and the light beam. It is positioned in the light path and automatically moves to block or expose the beam based on whether a connector is present, mediating the interaction without requiring user intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is pivotally connected and spring-loaded to cover the receiving recess, then the light beam is obstructed when not in use, but the construction becomes much more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is integrally formed with the adapter housing as a single piece, merging the housing and shutter into one component. This eliminates the need for separate covers, hinges, and springs, significantly simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the light-blocking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex pivotal connection mechanism and spring loading system are completely removed from the design. Instead, a simple elastic deformable shutter is used that relies on its own flexibility rather than external mechanical assistance, extracting unnecessary complexity from the system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protection cap with pivotal cover is used, then the light beam is blocked and eye exposure is prevented, but the structure is somewhat complex and therefore not inexpensive
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member and adapter housing are designed as an integral single component that can be molded or formed together in one manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing of covers, hinges, and mounting structures, reducing production steps and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component made from elastic deformable material that can be easily manufactured. Rather than using expensive mechanical assemblies with multiple precision parts, a simple elastic shutter provides the same protection at lower cost.
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 effectively blocks high-power light beams emitted from the adapter, ensuring user safety and simplifying the structure while avoiding the costs and complexities associated with separate protection mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic shutter member which includes a fixing portion, a shutter plate and a connecting portion that connects the fixing portion with the shutter plate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber adapter includes a main body and an elastic shutter member. The main body has an axial passage defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall, wherein the first wall faces the third wall and connects with the second and fourth walls. The passage has opposing first and second openings in the axial direction. A fixing plate is positioned above the third wall and a gap is formed between the fixing plate and the third wall. The shutter member includes a fixing portion, a shutter plate and a connecting portion. The fixing portion is positioned in the gap formed between the fixing plate and the third wall. The connecting portion connects the fixing portion with the shutter plate and clamps the fixing plate. The shutter plate extends from the connecting portion and into the passage.