Optical Cable Plug With Removable Optoelectronic Converter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical path plugs with integrated optoelectronic converters face issues with heat dissipation, complex connection processes, and difficulty in aligning electrical interfaces, particularly when adapting to different optical standards, which complicates the connection and maintenance of optical contacts.

Innovation Solution

A plug design with a removable and interchangeable optoelectronic converter housed within the plug body, allowing for improved heat dissipation and easier connection and maintenance, featuring a body with a removable cover for access and electromagnetic shielding, and separate housings for optical and non-optical contacts, enabling modular adaptation to various signal types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the optoelectronic converter is integrated into a base, then the connection structure is compact, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection structureVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the optoelectronic converter into separate modules: a plug module that can be removed and replaced independently from the base. This segmentation allows the plug to be optimized for heat dissipation through its body structure while the base maintains the connection framework, resolving the contradiction between structural compactness and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optoelectronic converter is extracted from the base integration and placed in a removable plug. This extraction enables independent optimization of the plug's thermal characteristics through its body design, allowing effective heat dissipation while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the optoelectronic converter is integrated into the base, then the connection is stable, but manual access for unlocking optical contacts becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmanual access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the optoelectronic converter into a removable plug, the invention enables manual access to the optical contacts through the plug's accessible structure. The plug can be independently manipulated for unlocking operations while the base remains stable, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and ease of manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the optoelectronic converter is integrated into the base, then the alignment tolerances are provided by manufacturers, but achieving satisfactory alignment between electrical interfaces remains complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment tolerancesVSAvoidalignment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is designed with self-aligning features including guide pins and positioning elements that automatically ensure proper alignment between the electrical interfaces of the plug and base during insertion. This self-service alignment mechanism eliminates the need for complex external alignment procedures while maintaining manufacturing precision standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If the optoelectronic converter is integrated into the base, then the structure is unified, but adapting to different optical interface standards becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural unityVSAvoidoptical interface adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The removable plug design enables segmentation of the optical interface component from the base structure. Different plug types can be manufactured to accommodate various optical interface standards (LC, SC, etc.) while the base remains structurally unified. This allows easy adaptation to different standards by simply replacing the plug module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base is designed with universal mounting features and interface standards that can accommodate multiple types of plugs. This universality allows the same base structure to work with different optical interface standards through plug replacement, achieving both structural unity and adaptability to various standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances heat dissipation, simplifies the connection process, improves alignment of electrical interfaces, and allows for modular adaptation to different optical and non-optical standards, providing efficient and versatile connectivity solutions.

Implementation Method 1

Thanks to the arrangement of the optoelectronic converter inside the body of the plug, heat dissipation can be done through the body of the plug

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

An electrical insulator can be interposed between the body of the plug and the optoelectronic converter when the latter is placed in the plug. In this way, the optoelectronic converter housing and the plug body are not at the same potential, which can help protect the optoelectronic converter, for example when lightning strikes the plug

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2668534B1Connection system for an optical cable
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 RADIALL SA
  • EP2668534B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2668534B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2668534B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present invention has a plug (2) to be mounted on at least one cable (4) comprising at least one optical conductor, the plug (2) comprising a body (5) and being characterised in that it includes at least one optoelectronic converter provided with a connection means removably and interchangeably arranged in the body (5).