Swivel Jacket Optical Connector for Field Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical connector parts face difficulties in accessing the welding point and require complex assembly and precise manufacturing, necessitating well-trained personnel for field assembly, especially due to the challenge of centering and fixing the optical fiber and applying adhesive under field conditions.

Innovation Solution

A plug part with a sleeve-like pin holder featuring swiveling jacket parts and an adhesive layer for simplified assembly, allowing easy access to the welding point and protection against mechanical stress and environmental influences, using a pin receiving section and an optical waveguide receiving section with a joint for pivoting and a protective film to handle the adhesive layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connector part uses a conventional fixed structure, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the accessibility of the welding point deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of welding pointVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector part employs a swivel joint that enables the optical waveguide receiving section to rotate between an operational position (angled relative to the plug pin) and a transport position (aligned with the longitudinal axis). This dynamic positioning allows the welding point to be easily accessible during operation while maintaining a compact, simple structure during transport and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the adhesive layer is applied under field conditions, then the assembly flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidadhesive application quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is pre-applied to one of the jacket parts during factory manufacturing, protected by a release film. This preliminary action ensures precise, contamination-free adhesive application under controlled factory conditions, while still allowing flexible field assembly by simply removing the release film and joining the parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the jacket parts are designed to firmly enclose the optical waveguide, then the protection against mechanical stress is improved, but the accessibility for welding deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of welding pointVSAvoidaccessibility of optical fiber end
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The jacket parts are designed with a swivel joint that allows them to rotate between a closed position (providing firm enclosure and protection of the welding point) and an open position (providing easy accessibility to the optical fiber end for welding operations). This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If the connector part requires precise manufacturing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering and fixing of optical fiberVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber is pre-centered and pre-fixed in the plug pin during factory pre-assembly, achieving precise manufacturing under controlled conditions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex centering and fixing operations during field assembly, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates quick and easy assembly under field conditions without complex tools, ensuring the welding point is protected and reducing the risk of contamination and improper adhesive handling, while providing effective strain relief and protection from environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

At least one of the casing parts has at least one adhesive layer, preferably applied in the factory, for connecting the at least two casing parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2394191B1Connector part for an optical plug-in connection
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 DIAMOND
  • EP2394191B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2394191B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2394191B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a connector part (1) for an optical plug-in connection, comprising a connector pin (2), in which an optical waveguide stub extending over a longitudinal center axis (3) is held, and a sleeve-like pin holder (4), comprising a pin accommodating section (5), in which the connector pin is held, and an optical waveguide accommodating section (6), to which the end of an optical waveguide cable can be fixed in a tension-resistant manner, wherein the optical waveguide accommodating section (6) comprises at least two jacket parts (8, 8') that can be connected to each other, wherein at least one jacket part (8, 8') is or can be fastened to the pin accommodating section (5) using a joint (9, 9') in such a way that the jacket part can be swiveled about a certain swivel angle between an open position and a closed position and the optical waveguide stub can be welded to a optical waveguide end on the cable side, wherein the end of the optical waveguide stub to be welded lies in the area of the jacket parts (8, 8') and at least one of the jacket parts (8, 8') comprises at least one adhesive layer (25, 25') applied at the factory for connecting the at least two jacket parts (8, 8').