Optical Waveguide Plug Part Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical waveguide plug parts face challenges in being cost-effective and easy to produce while maintaining a secure seal and adequate strain relief, with some designs being non-water-tight due to lack of sealing elements and others being difficult to assemble.
Innovation Solution
An optical waveguide plug part with free-standing and columnar clamping webs, featuring blade edges and pins for secure engagement with the waveguide's covering and fiber, along with a transparent or translucent design for easy assembly and sealing, and the use of O-rings or other seals for water-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical waveguide is screwed into an inner thread to create a water-tight seal, then the seal quality and retention are improved, but the production cost and difficulty increase due to the torque required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-thread mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit clamping system using elastic clamping parts. The clamping parts engage with lugs on the optical waveguide through a snapping motion, eliminating the need for threading operations and torque application, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure retention and water-tight sealing.
2Ease of operation
If a metal part is used to clamp the core of the optical waveguide, then the assembly is simplified, but the strain relief is reduced and no sealing is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction for the clamping parts, combining elastic material properties with integrated sealing features. The clamping parts are made of elastic material that can deform to clamp the optical waveguide core effectively while providing strain relief, and simultaneously incorporate sealing elements to ensure water-tightness, thus achieving both simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single clamping part: clamping the optical waveguide core, providing strain relief through elastic deformation, and ensuring water-tight sealing through integrated sealing elements. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate metal clamping components while enhancing overall performance.
3Ease of operation
If a single clamping part is used to secure both the covering and fiber, then the assembly is simplified, but the strain relief may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clamping function into multiple independent clamping parts, each responsible for specific sections of the optical waveguide (covering and fiber). This segmentation allows each clamping part to be optimized for its specific function, providing adequate strain relief while maintaining simple assembly through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical waveguide plug part of an optical waveguide plug connector for an optical waveguide, which has a fiber and a sheath, with a contact carrier for receiving the optical waveguide and at least one clamping part for securing the optical waveguide in the contact carrier. According to the invention, the clamping part has a first clamping section with at least one and preferably several free-standing and/or column-shaped clamping webs for clamping the sheath of the optical waveguide and a second clamping section with at least one and preferably several free-standing and/or column-shaped clamping webs for clamping the fiber of the optical waveguide.