Optical Connector Sleeve Hook Design for Axis Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors with split sleeves are bulky due to the need for a front stopping portion to prevent axis deviation, which is undesirable in applications where space is limited, such as in automobiles.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design featuring a sleeve with hook portions at regular intervals that hooks onto the connector housing, eliminating the need for a front stopping portion and maintaining the tube shape integrity through straight portions, thereby preventing axis deviation and reducing the overall size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a front stopping portion is provided in the connector housing to prevent axis deviation, then the ferrules are held securely without axis deviation, but the overall size of the optical connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the axis deviation prevention function from the connector housing and transfers it to the sleeve itself. The sleeve includes a curved portion that abuts against the rear end of the ferrule, allowing the sleeve to perform the stopping function independently without requiring a front stopping portion in the housing, thus reducing connector size while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a front stopping portion that protrudes forward to prevent axis deviation, the invention inverts the approach by using a rear-end abutting structure where the curved portion of the sleeve contacts the rear end of the ferrule. This inverted configuration achieves the same axis deviation prevention function while reducing the forward projection and overall connector size
2Device complexity
If the sleeve is allowed to move freely in the axial direction, then the assembly is simple, but the ferrules cannot be held securely against axis deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The curved portion of the sleeve is pre-configured to abut against the rear end of the ferrule in advance, creating a preliminary constraint that prevents axial movement and axis deviation before any misalignment can occur. This preliminary anti-action ensures the ferrule is held securely without requiring complex constraint mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve's own curved portion serves as the constraint mechanism, using the sleeve's structure itself to prevent its own unwanted movement and to constrain the ferrule. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate constraint components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable axis deviation prevention
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 design allows for a compact optical connector that effectively prevents axis deviation of ferrules while reducing the overall size, ensuring stable and secure optical connections without the need for additional stopping mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the split sleeve holds the ferrules of the one optical connector and the other optical connector, which are inserted into the split sleeve, so as to tighten them inward by its elastic force
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a sleeve for an optical connector into which a ferrule arranged to hold an optical fiber is to be inserted, and by which an optical connector in which the sleeve is to be housed can be reduced in size in a direction that the optical connector is fitted into a counterpart optical connector. A sleeve (1) for an optical connector includes a portion (10) having a tube shape, into which a ferrule is to be inserted, and a hook portion (14) at one end of the sleeve, the hook portion protruding in a diameter direction of the tube-shaped portion. It is preferable that the tube-shaped portion includes a slit (101).