Rotatable-Boot Optical Connector With Axial Latch Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors, particularly LC duplex connectors, are complex, require multiple components, and have limited functionality for reversing polarity, making them inefficient for high-density data center applications.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector design featuring a rotatable boot and outer housing that allows for relative movement and rotation, enabling easy detachment and polarity reversal by transitioning between locked and unlocked positions, simplifying the process without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional LC duplex connectors use a uniboot design with housing, pull tab, or other components to assist latch arm actuation, then the connector can be removed from the adapter, but the device complexity increases and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is integrated as a single piece with the connector body, eliminating the need for separate housing, pull tabs, or other auxiliary components. The boot itself performs the function of assisting latch arm actuation through its rotatable and movable design, merging multiple functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot serves multiple functions: it protects the connector body, assists in latch arm actuation through rotation and movement, and provides structural support. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If duplex connectors include features for polarity reversal, then the adapter can be reconfigured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is designed to be rotatable relative to the connector body, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the connector orientation. This rotational capability enables polarity reversal without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms, as the boot's movement itself facilitates the reconfiguration.
3Device complexity
If the connector uses a fixed boot design, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation for detachment and polarity reversal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is designed with rotational and translational degrees of freedom, allowing it to move dynamically relative to the connector body. This dynamic design enables easy detachment through rotation to an unlocked position and facilitates polarity reversal, while maintaining structural simplicity without requiring additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector includes a connector sub-assembly, an inner housing that receives a rear portion of the connector sub-assembly, a boot extending from the inner housing, and an outer housing coupled to the boot. The outer housing and the boot are configured to allow relative rotation about a longitudinal axis of the optical connector but can move together along the longitudinal axis. The boot can be rotated relative to the inner housing between a locked position in which the outer housing is prevented from moving axially and depressing the end portion of a latch arm of the connector sub-assembly, and an unlocked position in which the outer housing can move axially to depress the end portion of the latch arm.