Optical Wiring Unit Latch Mechanism for Stable Pull-Out Connector Work
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical termination boxes lack a configuration that allows for easy fixation and release of the optical wiring unit at a pull-out position, complicating the insertion and removal of optical connectors.
Innovation Solution
The optical wiring unit includes a tray with an operating member, a slide piece with a latch portion, and a biasing mechanism using compression springs to facilitate easy fixation and release at the pull-out and storage positions, ensuring the unit remains stable during connector operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the optical wiring unit is designed to be freely movable for easy insertion and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability and reliability of the connection work deteriorates due to unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
The optical wiring unit employs a dynamic positioning system with a latch mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The latch portion engages with locking grooves on the side rail to secure the unit at pull-out position during connection work, and disengages to allow free movement for insertion and removal operations. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing both stability when needed and mobility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the optical wiring unit between two distinct states: a locked state at predetermined pull-out position where the latch engages with the side rail, and an unlocked state where the unit can be freely moved. The biasing portion maintains the unit in the locked state, while manual operation overcomes this bias to enable temporary movement for connector operations, thus resolving the stability-mobility contradiction through parameter transformation.
2Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to restrict movement at pull-out position, then the stability during connection work is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a latch portion on the optical wiring unit, locking grooves on the side rail, and a biasing portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The latch portion engages with the locking grooves to provide stability, while the biasing portion maintains the locked state, resolving the contradiction by achieving reliability through modular segmentation rather than complex integrated mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the optical wiring unit is fixed at pull-out position, then the stability during connector operations is improved, but the ease of release and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing portion automatically maintains the optical wiring unit in the locked position at the pull-out position, providing self-service stabilization during connector operations. When the latch portion engages with the locking groove, the biasing portion ensures the unit remains securely fixed without requiring continuous external force or complex locking mechanisms. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by providing automatic stability while maintaining ease of release through simple manual operation of the latch.
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 solution enhances the workability of the optical wiring unit by preventing unintended movement and simplifying the process of connecting and disconnecting optical connectors, improving operational efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing portion configured to bias the operating member toward the neutral position
Implementation Method 2
the slide piece is located at the restriction position when the operating member is at the neutral position, and is configured to slide toward the release position when the operating member moves in the front-rear direction from the neutral position
Data Source
AI summary
An optical wiring unit includes a tray, an operating member supported by the tray and that moves in a front-rear direction of the optical wiring unit as a reference to a neutral position, a slide piece including a latch, and one or more springs that bias the operating member toward the neutral position. The slide piece slides with respect to the operating member between a restriction position and a release position. A protrusion amount of the slide piece from the operating member at the release position is smaller than a protrusion amount of the slide piece from the operating member at the restriction position. The slide piece is disposed at the restriction position when the operating member is at the neutral position and slides toward the release position when the operating member moves in the front-rear direction from the neutral position.