Push-Pull Collar Nut Mechanism for Outdoor Fiber Optic Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic connectors are susceptible to performance degradation and contamination due to inadequate sealing against moisture and debris, making them unreliable for outdoor use and difficult to access for servicing.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor-rated connector assembly with a lockable collar nut that allows for easy access to internal components by pulling the collar nut in a rearward direction, featuring environmental seals and a key indicator for correct polarity alignment of opposing connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fiber optic connectors are used, then the connection can be easily made and broken, but the connectors are susceptible to moisture and debris ingress causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly employs nested sealing structures where an outer seal and an inner seal are positioned at different levels within the connector housing. The outer seal prevents ingress at the outer perimeter while the inner seal provides a secondary barrier closer to the ferrule interface, creating a multi-layered protection system that enhances reliability without requiring complete redesign of the connector architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer seal region for perimeter protection, an inner seal region for critical interface protection, and a latch mechanism for secure engagement. This segmentation allows each sealing element to be optimized for its specific protective function while maintaining overall connector simplicity through modular design
2Reliability
If a lockable collar nut is used to prevent disconnecting, then connection security is improved, but access to internal components for servicing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The collar nut incorporates a dynamic latch mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. During normal operation, the latch engages with the housing to prevent accidental disconnection. For servicing, the latch can be deliberately disengaged by applying force in a specific direction, allowing the collar nut to be removed and providing access to internal components without permanent fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a simple pulling motion on the collar nut. The user pulls the collar nut in a rearward direction to compress a spring, which automatically releases the latch engagement, allowing the collar nut to be removed without requiring tools or complex operations. The spring then returns the collar nut to its locked position when reinstalled
3Stability of the object's composition
If the collar nut is locked to prevent accidental disconnecting, then connection stability is improved, but the ability to rotate the collar nut for unlocking is limited in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring rotational motion to unlock the collar nut, the design inverts the unlocking mechanism to use linear pulling motion. The latch is engaged radially during normal operation, but unlocking is achieved by pulling the collar nut axially in a rearward direction, compressing a spring that releases the radial latch engagement. This inversion allows unlocking in confined spaces where rotation is restricted but linear motion is available
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor rated ingress protected connector assembly is formed by a mating connector and a first connector. A lock ring secures the mating connector and first connector together. An outer collar nut is displaceable to unlock the connector assembly to gain access to the internal components. The mating connector and first connector have a fiber optic connector secured therein, which form a transmission pathway when the connector assembly is formed.