Optical Plug Pin Holder Axial Resilient Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector designs face challenges in easy assembly, high manufacturing costs, and suitability for 'Fiber to the Home' (FTTH) applications, particularly due to complex assembly processes and sensitivity to blow-in methods during fiber optic installations.
Innovation Solution
A connector part with a pin holder axially resiliently mounted in the connector housing, featuring a spring element that can be pre-assembled externally, allowing for adjustable prestressing and secure anchorage using clamping sleeves or snap rings, enabling simple and robust assembly suitable for FTTH applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a helical compression spring is mounted within a pin holder to generate pretension, then light transmission is ensured even with tolerance deviations, but the assembly becomes complicated and the outer diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate modular components: a pin holder that can be pre-assembled with the spring element outside the housing, and the main housing. This segmentation allows the spring-loaded pin holder to be manufactured and tested independently, then simply inserted into the housing, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining the reliable pretensioning function.
2Reliability
If the spring element is protected by an outer sleeve in the pin holder, then the spring element is protected, but the outer diameter of the pin holder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is nested within the pin holder's internal cavity structure. The pin holder is designed with an inner chamber that accommodates the compression spring, eliminating the need for an additional outer protective sleeve. This nested arrangement protects the spring while maintaining a compact outer diameter.
3Strength
If the pin holder is firmly anchored in the connector housing, then strain relief is ensured, but the assembly process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pin holder is pre-assembled with the spring element and optical fiber in a separate preparation step before final installation into the connector housing. This preliminary assembly allows the spring mechanism to be configured and tested independently, then the complete pin holder assembly is simply inserted and locked into the housing in a single straightforward action, combining strong anchorage with ease of assembly.
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 solution facilitates easy and cost-effective assembly of optical connectors, enhances robustness for blow-in methods, and ensures reliable light transmission despite tolerance deviations, making it suitable for FTTH installations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (5) which is inserted into a bearing (2) of the plug housing (4) before the pin holder (3) is pushed into the plug housing (4) from the rear
Implementation Method 2
The spring element can be a helical compression spring, for example
Implementation Method 3
which can be inserted into the bearing and fixed or fixed in the bearing by force and/or positive locking
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A plug part (1) for an optical plug connection comprises one pin holder (3) in which a plug pin (2) for retaining an optical waveguide which extends over a longitudinal central axis (L) is held. The pin holder (3) can be pushed into a plug housing (4) via a cable-side opening (30) and locked therein in a mounting position, wherein the plug pin (2) is held axially resiliently in the plug housing (4) with the aid of a separate spring element (5). The spring element (5) can here be inserted in a mount in the plug housing (4) before the pin holder (3) is pushed in. The spring element (5) is secured by way of a clamping sleeve (6) which can be inserted into the mount via the plug-side opening (30) in the push-in direction (e). Arranged in the mount is a circlip (7) and the pin holder (3) has a groove (12) which can be brought into engagement with the circlip (7) in a latching manner in order to fix the mounting position.