SC Optical Transceiver Bale-Clasp Cover for Dust and Light Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

SFP optical connectors are vulnerable to dust contamination, which can degrade signal quality and cause errors or failures, and there is a need for effective protection against dust and light emission.

Innovation Solution

A bale-clasp cover mechanism for SC pluggable optical transceivers that includes a bale-clasp handle, a cover, and a U-shaped arm assembly, which pivotally releases the transceiver, providing protection against dust and light emission, and ensures secure attachment and detachment from the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a dust cap is used to cover the optical connector, then dust contamination is prevented, but the connector cannot be accessed or connected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust contaminationVSAvoidconnector accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cap is designed as a movable component that can rotate between a closed position (protecting the connector) and an open position (allowing connector access). This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to switch between protection and accessibility states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dust cap is segmented from the main transceiver body, allowing it to be independently rotated and positioned. This segmentation enables the dust cap to provide protection when closed while allowing full access to the connector when opened, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the transceiver is securely locked in the housing, then connection stability is improved, but detachment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddetachment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bale-clasp mechanism uses a movable clasp arm that can be rotated to transition between a locked position (providing secure connection) and an unlocked position (enabling easy detachment). This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between stable connection and easy detachment states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bale-clasp handle acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking mechanism. By rotating the handle, the user can control the clasp arm to either secure or release the transceiver, providing easy detachment while maintaining secure connection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the optical connector is exposed, then ease of connection is improved, but dust and contaminants can ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection easeVSAvoiddust ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cap rotates dynamically to cover or expose the optical connector. When closed, it provides protection against dust ingress; when opened, it enables easy connection. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between protected and accessible states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dust cap is positioned in advance to cover the connector before connection operations are performed. This preliminary protective action prevents dust ingress during storage and transport, while still allowing easy access when connection is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover mechanism is added to protect the connector, then dust protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust protectionVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust cap is designed as a separate, independent component from the main transceiver body. This segmentation allows the protection function to be added without significantly complicating the core transceiver mechanism, resolving the contradiction between protection and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dust cap uses simple rotational movement around a fixed axis, which is a basic mechanical motion that adds protection functionality without introducing complex mechanisms. This dynamic design provides effective dust protection while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4579302A1Bale-clasp cover mechanism for a subscriber connector pluggable optical transceiver

Publication Date: 2025.07.02 ALTICE LABS SA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a bale-clasp cover system for a subscriber connector (SC) pluggable optical transceiver (10) comprising a bale-clasp handle (11), a cover (12), an U-shaped arm assembly (13) connected to said handle (11) and adapted to pivotally release the transceiver (10) by activating release arm (15), and a protruding mark (17) in the optical transceiver (10) top surface aligned with the SC connection. Said bale-clasp cover mechanism is adapted to equip a SC pluggable optical transceiver (10) and to provide a quadruple mechanism of preventing light leakage, preventing the ingress of dust or other contaminants into the SC plug socket (18), allow the removal of the SFP optical transceiver (10) from the housing (14) and indicate the correct position for connecting the SC optical connector (16).