Optical Connector Adapter Shutter with Integrated Press-Molded Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connector adapters with shutter metal fittings are complex, costly, and difficult to produce due to their large number of parts and high assembly requirements, leading to increased unit costs and non-standard dimensions.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector adapter design featuring a shutter member with a base plate, side plates, and an elastically deformable shutter plate, which is easier to produce and assemble, allowing for standard dimensions and reduced production costs through press molding, while effectively shielding the insertion hole from laser light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter metal fitting with multiple parts (engaging piece, stopper, hollow fitting plate) is used to shield the insertion hole, then the shielding function is reliable, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hollow fitting plate and shutter plate into a single integrated shutter member that is press-molded as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate engaging pieces and stoppers, reducing the number of parts while maintaining the shielding function. The integrated design allows the shutter member to be manufactured as a single component through press molding, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If a shutter metal fitting with multiple parts is used, then the shielding function is reliable, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple parts into a single press-molded shutter member, the patent eliminates the need for high-precision assembly of multiple components. The single-piece construction reduces manufacturing precision requirements compared to assembling multiple parts, while the shielding function remains reliable through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical assembly system (multiple parts requiring precise assembly) with a single press-molded component system. This substitution eliminates complex assembly operations and reduces the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining functional reliability.
3Reliability
If a shutter metal fitting with hollow fitting plate is used, then the shielding function is reliable, but the production time and unit costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple components into a single press-molded shutter member significantly reduces production time. The single-piece construction eliminates assembly steps, allowing for more efficient manufacturing and lower unit costs while maintaining the reliable shielding function through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical assembly processes with a single press-molding operation. This substitution dramatically improves productivity by eliminating multiple assembly steps and reducing production time, while the integrated shutter member maintains reliable shielding functionality.
4Reliability
If the fitting plate surrounds external surfaces of top/bottom walls and sidewalls, then the shielding is complete, but the adapter dimensions become non-standard and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is designed to provide complete shielding only where necessary (at the insertion hole opening) rather than surrounding all external surfaces. This localized approach maintains shielding completeness for the critical function while keeping the adapter dimensions within standard sizes, resolving the contradiction between shielding completeness and compact dimensions.
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 adapter achieves reliable shielding of the insertion hole with reduced parts and lower production costs, maintaining standard dimensions and ensuring efficient optical signal connection without exposing operators to laser light.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable shutter plate connected to a front edge of the fitting plate... the shutter plate is elastically deformed by being pressed by the optical connector plug and the shutter plate falls toward the center portion of the insertion hole... the shutter plate rises owing to an elastic force (repulsive force) thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter member of the optical communication adapter includes a base plate, both side plates, a connecting plate, and an elastically deformable shutter plate having a predetermined curvature radius. In the adapter, the base plate of the shutter member is fitted into a bottom recess formed on an external surface of a bottom wall and the both side plates of the shutter member are fitted into both side recesses formed on the external surface of both sidewalls. The shutter plate of the shutter member is positioned at both open ends of an insertion hole to shield the insertion hole while being curved to form a convex shape toward a center portion of the insertion hole and, when a connector is inserted into the insertion hole, falls toward the center portion of the insertion hole by being pressed by the connector.