Optical Connector Plug Barrel Guide for Compact Fiber Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical-connector-incorporating plugs are large due to the need for a wide holding space to prevent optical fiber bends from degrading the fiber's properties, requiring extra length portions that can cause local bends with small radii of curvature when connected to a mating receptacle.
Innovation Solution
A guide portion is formed in the barrel to direct the bend of the extra length portion of the optical fiber in a direction other than the shortest distance to the outer wall, allowing for a more compact design by utilizing the space effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wide holding space is provided to prevent optical fiber bends from degrading fiber properties, then the optical fiber's optical properties are maintained, but the plug size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion changes the bending direction of the optical fiber from a straight-line path to a three-dimensional path along the guide surface. This dimensional change allows the fiber to accommodate connector movement while following a controlled trajectory that prevents excessive bending, thereby maintaining optical properties without requiring excessive holding space.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion modifies the bending radius parameter by providing a predetermined curvature path. Instead of allowing arbitrary bending with potentially small radii, the guide constrains the fiber to bend along a path with an optimized radius that protects optical properties while minimizing the space required for fiber accommodation.
2Volume of moving object
If the plug size is reduced, then the holding space becomes smaller, but the optical fiber may bend with small radius degrading optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the guide portion that extends in the radial direction of the barrel, the invention creates a three-dimensional bending path for the optical fiber. This allows the fiber to accommodate axial movement of the connector while bending along a controlled 3D trajectory, preventing small-radius bends even in a compact plug structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion acts as an intermediary structure between the optical fiber and the barrel wall. It provides a predetermined bending path that mediates the relationship between fiber movement and barrel constraints, ensuring the fiber maintains adequate bending radius while adapting to connector position changes in a compact design.
3Reliability
If the optical connector moves axially when connected to a mating receptacle, then a good connection state is achieved, but the extra length portion of the optical fiber must bend
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates connector axial movement while protecting the optical fiber. It provides a controlled bending path that allows the fiber to accommodate connector displacement without undergoing uncontrolled or excessive bending, thereby enabling reliable connection while simplifying the fiber path management.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion optimizes the bending parameters of the optical fiber by providing a predetermined curvature path. This controlled parameter change allows the fiber to adapt to connector movement while maintaining bending radius within acceptable limits, reducing path complexity compared to unguided bending scenarios.
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
This solution enables a reduction in the size of the optical-connector-incorporating plug while maintaining the optical properties of the fiber by guiding the bends of the extra length portions in a way that maximizes space usage within the barrel.
Implementation Method 1
a coil-shaped spring 18 is disposed between the partition wall 17 and a flange portion 16a of the mounting member 16, and the mounting member 16 and the optical connector 15 are biased toward a front end of the tube portion 11 in the axial direction by the force exerted by the spring 18
Implementation Method 2
a through-hole 17a that lets an optical fiber 14a exit therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical-connector-incorporating plug accommodating and holding an optical connector in a barrel at a front end thereof and accommodating, in the barrel, an extra length portion of an optical fiber extending from an optical cable to the optical connector, the extra length portion bends as the optical connector is moved toward a back end of the barrel when the optical connector is connected to a mating receptacle; the distance from the position where the optical connector is held to the outer wall of the barrel depends on the direction, among the directions orthogonal to the direction in which the optical connector is moved; and a guide portion guiding the bend of the extra length portion in a direction other than the direction where the distance to the outer wall of the barrel is the shortest is formed in the barrel. The optical-connector-incorporating plug can be reduced in size.