Optical Fiber Adapter Shutter Mechanism for Laser Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber adapters lack an effective and cost-efficient mechanism to obstruct high-power laser beams emitted during connector disconnection, posing a risk to eye safety and requiring complex or costly designs.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber adapter featuring a main body, inner housing, elastic shutter member, and spring mechanism that automatically obstructs light beams using a movable shutter plate, ensuring eye safety without the need for additional caps or complex structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cap is used to block the unused receiving recess, then the light beam is obstructed and the receiving recess is protected from dust, but the cap is apt to get lost and it is still possible to expose the eyes to the light beam during mating
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is automatically actuated by the insertion or removal of the connector through the key interaction. When the connector is inserted, the key pushes the shutter member to open position; when removed, the spring automatically returns the shutter member to closed position. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for manual cap handling while ensuring continuous eye protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover pivotally connected to the housing is used to cover the receiving recess, then the light beam is obstructed in closed position, but the construction of the adapter becomes much more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is extracted as a separate, independently actuated component from the housing cover structure. Instead of making the entire cover pivotal and complex, only the shutter member needs movement capability, while the housing cover remains simple and stationary. This extraction simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the light blocking function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protection cap with pivotal cover is used, then the light beam is obstructed, but the structure is somewhat complex and therefore it is not inexpensive
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function is segmented into two independent components: a simple housing cover and a separately actuated shutter member. The housing cover provides basic protection and can be manufactured simply, while the shutter member is a small, inexpensive component actuated by the existing key mechanism. This segmentation avoids the need for a complex pivotal cover structure, reducing manufacturing complexity and 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 adapter effectively prevents exposure to high-power light beams during connector disconnection, ensuring user safety and reducing the risk of eye harm while maintaining a simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned within the accommodation room to push the shutter member toward the first opening of the accommodation room
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
An optical fiber adapter according to the present disclosure includes a main body (500), an inner housing (600), an elastic shutter member (700) and a spring (990). The main body (500) has an axial accommodation room (528) defined by a first wall (511), a second wall (515), a third wall (512) and a fourth wall (514). The accommodation room (528) has opposing first (528a) and second (528b) openings in the axial direction. The inner housing (600) is placed within the accommodation room (528) and includes a hollow cylinder (610) extending from the front surface of a flange (620). The shutter member (700) is positioned within the accommodation room (528) and includes a base portion (730), a shutter plate (710) and a connecting portion (720). The connecting portion (720) connects the base portion (730) with the shutter plate (710). The shutter plate (710) extends from the connecting portion (720) and arrives in front of an opening (612) of the hollow cylinder (610). The shutter plate (710) is movable with respect to the base portion (730). The spring (990) is positioned within the accommodation room (528) to push the shutter member (700) toward the first opening (528a) of the accommodation room (528).