Optical Connector Latch Chamfered Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors often face issues with proper insertion and removal from external devices, particularly when engaging parts made of resin stick to metal parts, leading to difficulties in detachment.
Innovation Solution
The optical connector design includes a latch with chamfered engaging protrusions that reduce the likelihood of sticking, allowing for smoother engagement and disengagement by eliminating corner portions and optimizing the chamfer dimension and shape for improved functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engaging parts are made of resin to enable engagement with metal parts, then engagement is achieved, but sticking occurs making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the surface properties of the engaging protrusion. The main surface maintains resin material properties for engagement, while the corner portions are removed to create chamfered edges with different geometric properties. This localized geometric modification prevents sticking at the corners where contact with metal parts occurs, while preserving the overall engagement function of the resin engaging part.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric shape of the engaging protrusion by removing sharp corner portions and creating chamfered surfaces. This transitions from sharp angular geometry to chamfered geometry with inclined surfaces, which reduces stress concentration and prevents sticking by distributing contact forces more evenly across the engaging surface during insertion and removal operations.
2Ease of operation
If chamfered edges are added to engaging protrusions to prevent sticking, then removal ease is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the engaging protrusion geometry into distinct zones: the main engaging surface and the chamfered corner portions. This segmentation allows the majority of the protrusion to maintain its simple original geometry for reliable engagement, while only the corner portions are modified with chamfers. This selective segmentation minimizes the impact on manufacturing complexity while achieving the sticking prevention benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector including a ferrule, an outer housing, and a latch is disclosed. The ferrule holds an optical fiber at a front end of the optical connector. The outer housing is located closer to a rear end of the optical connector than the ferrule. The latch is connected to the outer housing and extends from a proximal end toward the front end of the optical connector. The latch includes an engaging part to engage with an external device at a distal end thereof. The latch is configured such that the engaging part is pushed down toward the ferrule. The engaging part includes an engaging main body and an engaging protrusion protruding outwardly from the engaging main body. The engaging protrusion includes an engaging surface to engage with the external device at a rear of the engaging protrusion, and an edge of the engaging surface is chamfered.