Optical Fiber Adapter With Movable Shutters For Infrared Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber adapters lack effective shielding of high-intensity infrared beams and have inadequate dustproof and water-repellent properties, posing risks to human vision and compromising connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber adapter incorporates upper and lower movable shutters with a light-transmitting stopper, which securely shelters the beam and provides dustproof and water-repellent effects by closely sealing the openings, while allowing visual confirmation of the optical path through the light-transmitting stopper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable shutter is added to shield the infrared beam, then human vision safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed as a movable component that can dynamically switch between blocking and transparent states. It is positioned to be movable relative to the optical path, allowing it to block the infrared beam when needed while maintaining optical connectivity when the shutter is in the transparent position. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing safety only when required rather than permanently obstructing the optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary element between the infrared beam source and the user's eyes. Rather than eliminating the beam or requiring complete system redesign, the shutter mediates the interaction by selectively blocking harmful infrared wavelengths while allowing visible light transmission for optical connectivity. This intermediary approach adds minimal complexity while effectively addressing the safety hazard.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shutter is positioned to block the beam effectively, then vision safety is improved, but dustproof and water-repellent performance deteriorates due to gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed with differentiated properties: it is opaque to infrared wavelengths for safety while being transparent to visible light for optical connectivity. Additionally, the shutter's positioning and material properties provide localized sealing at critical interfaces without compromising the blocking function. This local quality differentiation allows the same component to address multiple requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter is integrated within the existing adapter structure in a nested configuration. It is positioned within the optical path housing and coordinated with existing sealing mechanisms, rather than requiring complete redesign of the protective housing. This nested integration allows the shutter to fulfill its blocking function while working within the constraints of existing dustproof and water-repellent structures.
3Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism is used to return the shutter, then the shutter can be reset automatically, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is designed to be self-resetting through elastic deformation of the shutter material itself or through coordination with the natural movement of connected components. When the optical connector is removed, the shutter automatically returns to its blocking position through its own elastic properties or the mechanical interaction with the connector housing, eliminating the need for separate spring mechanisms or external power sources. This self-service approach provides automatic reset functionality without requiring additional space for spring components.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber adapter has a body divided into two accommodation rooms by a partition wall. Two ends of the accommodation room have a first opening and a second opening. Side walls and the partition wall of the body have opposite inner surfaces. A thickened component adjacent to the first opening is formed on the inner surface. An axial guiding portion and a first stopper are formed on the thickened component. A slot is formed on a bottom wall of the body. A second stopper is disposed on the bottom wall in front of the slot. A shutter positioning slot is disposed on a top wall of the body to fix upper movable shutters. Insert slots are formed on a fixing seat to fix lower movable shutters. The fixing seat covers the slot. This optical fiber adapter has shading, dustproof and water-repellent effects.