Optical Plug Translating Cover for High-Speed Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for optical connections that can handle high-speed data transmission in small, consumer electronic devices like smartphones and tablets, which are exposed to rough handling and harsh environments, while also being easy to clean and maintain, as traditional copper-based connectivity reaches bandwidth limitations.

Innovation Solution

An optical plug connector with a translating cover that protects the optical interface and allows for easy cleaning, featuring a design where the optical portion does not translate, instead 'floating' for alignment, ensuring robustness and reliability even with numerous mating/unmating cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed cover is used to protect the optical interface, then the optical interface is protected from dirt and debris, but the cover cannot be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from dirt and debrisVSAvoidease of cleaning and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to translate between a retracted position (for protection) and an extended position (for cleaning access). This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by enabling both protection and ease of cleaning through a single movable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is segmented from the main connector body, allowing it to be independently moved and positioned. This segmentation enables the cover to be separated from the optical interface when cleaning is needed, while maintaining protection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the optical interface is exposed for easy cleaning, then maintenance is simple, but the optical interface is vulnerable to dirt and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaning and maintenanceVSAvoidprotection from dirt and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable cover allows the optical interface to dynamically switch between exposed and protected states. During normal use, the cover is retracted to protect the interface; during maintenance, it is extended to expose the interface for cleaning, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the optical plug connector is designed for robustness with numerous mating cycles, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness with numerous mating cyclesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable cover is designed to translate smoothly during mating operations, reducing mechanical stress on the optical interface. This dynamic design enhances reliability over numerous cycles while maintaining relatively simple construction through guided movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cover translation mechanism is designed to accommodate mating cycles by allowing controlled movement before contact is made, cushioning against impact and stress that would otherwise damage the optical interface over repeated use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the optical interface is protected from translation, then alignment stability is improved, but the cover must translate to allow access for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidease of cleaning and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is segmented into a stable optical portion that remains fixed for alignment stability, and a separate movable cover that can be translated for cleaning access. This segmentation allows the optical interface to maintain stable positioning while the cover provides cleaning accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed to translate independently from the optical interface, allowing the optical portion to remain stable for alignment while the cover moves to provide cleaning access. This dynamic separation resolves the contradiction between stability and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9921372B2Optical plug having a translating cover and a complimentary receptacle

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough. The cover has a sliding fit relative to a portion of the housing and may translate on at least one guide surface of the housing.