Telecommunications Lanyard with Movable Undulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lanyards used in the telecommunications industry for linking protective caps or plugs to fiber optic connectors lack a strong and expandable attachment mechanism, which can lead to insecure connections and potential damage to the components.
Innovation Solution
A lanyard with a loop member featuring movable undulations that change from a compact to an expanded state, providing increased inner cross-dimension and resilience, allowing secure attachment to both the protective cap and the fiber optic connector, made from a one-piece plastic construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional lanyards are used to link protective caps to fiber optic connectors, then the attachment mechanism is simple, but the connection strength and security are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The loop member incorporates movable undulations that can dynamically change shape between a compact state for attachment and an expanded state for securing. This dynamic structure allows the lanyard to adapt its form factor based on operational requirements, providing both simplicity when not in use and strength when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The undulations change physical parameters (shape, inner cross-dimension) when transitioning between states. In the compact state, the inner cross-dimension is smaller for easy attachment; in the expanded state, the inner cross-dimension increases to provide secure engagement and attachment strength.
2Reliability
If the loop is made expandable to provide secure attachment, then the attachment security improves, but the profile size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loop member transitions from a compact profile state to an expanded secure state only when needed for attachment. The movable undulations allow the loop to maintain a small profile during storage and transport, then expand to provide secure attachment when engaged with the protective cap and connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The undulations are nested within each other in the compact state, allowing the loop to maintain a small profile. When expanded, the undulations unfold to increase the inner cross-dimension and provide secure attachment, similar to how nested dolls can be compact or extended.
3Area of moving object
If the undulations are straightened to expand the loop, then the inner cross-dimension increases for secure attachment, but the resiliency required to return to compact state must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The undulations undergo reversible parameter changes in their shape and configuration. When force is applied, they straighten to increase the inner cross-dimension for secure attachment. The material properties and structural design ensure they return to their original configuration when the force is removed, maintaining both area expansion capability and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop member is designed with inherent resiliency that acts as a restoring force. This pre-built elastic energy storage in the undulations ensures that after expansion for attachment, the loop automatically returns to its compact state, maintaining structural stability and readiness for reuse.
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 lanyard ensures a strong and secure connection between the protective cap and the fiber optic connector, maintaining a small profile while providing resilience to bias back to its compact state, thus enhancing the durability and reliability of the attachment.
Implementation Method 1
The undulations are moveable between a first state and a second state. The undulations are at least partially straightened in a circumferential orientation as the undulations move from the first state to the second state, additionally, an inner cross-dimension of the loop is larger when the undulations are in the second state as compared to the first state, and a resiliency of the loop biases the undulations toward the first state.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly having a protective part including a cap or a plug, a fiber optic component adapted to mate with the protective part and a lanyard. The lanyard has a first end attached to the protective part and a second end attached to the fiber optic component. One of the first and second ends of the lanyard includes a loop defined by a loop member. The loop has a plurality of undulations. The undulations are moveable between a first state and a second state. The undulations are at least partially straightened in a circumferential orientation as the undulations move from the first state to the second state. An inner cross-dimension of the loop is larger when the undulations are in the second state as compared to the first state, and wherein a resiliency of the loop biases the undulations toward the first state.