Optical Port Alignment Piston for Harsh Environment Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer devices such as smartphones and tablets face challenges in accommodating harsh environments and high mating/unmating cycles for optical connectivity, which is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

The optical port design features a mounting body with pockets and alignment features, including translatable pistons, to securely engage optical elements and provide a robust, minimalist footprint that can withstand rough handling and maintain optical signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical ports are designed with robust alignment features and protective structures to withstand harsh environments and repeated mating cycles, then reliability and durability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical port durabilityVSAvoidoptical port structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical port is divided into distinct functional segments: a mounting body with pockets for securing optical elements, separate alignment features (pistons) that translate during mating, and mounting surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while contributing to overall reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment features in the form of pistons are pre-positioned within pockets of the mounting body before mating occurs. These pistons are designed to translate automatically during the mating process, ensuring proper alignment of optical elements before full engagement. This preliminary positioning action prevents misalignment damage and ensures reliable connection from the first mating cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If optical ports use a minimalist footprint design with exposed optical elements, then ease of cleaning and sleek appearance are improved, but vulnerability to damage and contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting body is designed with differentiated local qualities: the optical elements and immediate surrounding mounting surfaces have smooth, non-porous finishes that resist contamination and facilitate cleaning, while the pockets and internal structures provide protective enclosures. This local differentiation allows the exposed portions to be easily cleaned while internal portions provide protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pockets in the mounting body are designed to receive and protect optical elements before they are exposed at the frame opening. These pockets act as pre-positioned protective enclosures that shield optical elements from direct environmental exposure while still allowing controlled access for cleaning and mating operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If multiple alignment features and magnets are incorporated to secure plugs during mating, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemating connection stabilityVSAvoidoptical port assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional features are merged into integrated structures: alignment pistons are incorporated directly into the mounting body pockets, magnets are embedded within the same mounting body structure, and mounting surfaces are formed as integral portions of the body. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining all necessary functions for reliable mating connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting body is designed as a universal structure that simultaneously performs multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, houses alignment features (pistons) for positioning, contains magnets for securing plugs, and provides mounting surfaces for optical elements. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components into a single manufacturable part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9395497B2Optical port having one or more alignment features

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are optical ports and devices using the optical ports. The optical port includes a mounting body having a first pocket and at least one mounting surface for securing the optical port, one or more optical elements, and a first alignment feature disposed in the pocket, wherein the alignment feature includes a piston that is translatable during mating. The one or more optical elements may be an integral portion of the mounting body or a discrete lens. In other embodiments, the mounting body may include a plurality of pockets and one of the pockets may include a magnet for securing a plug to the optical port. The optical port may optionally have a minimalist optical port footprint so that the complimentary mating optical plug engages a portion of the frame during mating.