Telecommunications Connector Boot-Actuated Latch Release for Dense Panels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In dense panel environments, accessing and removing fiber optic connectors becomes difficult due to the forward placement of latches, making it cumbersome to unlatch connectors from adapters.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications connector design featuring rotatable front housings and a pivotable latch mechanism, where the boot engages the rear end of the latch to pivot it toward the ferrule, facilitating easier latching and unlatching, and allowing polarity reversal by rotating the front housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch is positioned forward on the connector, then the connector can be securely latched to the adapter, but the connector becomes difficult to access and remove in dense panel environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional latch operation by allowing the boot to automatically pivot the latch forward for engagement, while pulling the boot backward automatically pivots the latch rearward for disengagement. This reverses the conventional approach where direct manual manipulation of the latch is required, thereby solving the accessibility problem in dense panel environments while maintaining secure latching.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot serves as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the latch mechanism. Instead of directly manipulating the forward-positioned latch, the user pulls the boot, which then transmits force to pivot the latch rearward. This intermediary action makes the connector easily accessible and removable even in dense panel configurations.
2Ease of operation
If the latch is made pivotable at an intermediate connection portion, then the latching mechanism becomes more complex, but the unlatching operation becomes simpler and more accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is designed as a dynamic component that can pivot at an intermediate connection portion between its front and rear ends. This pivotability allows the latch to rotate forward during insertion for automatic engagement and rotate backward during removal for easy disengagement. The dynamic movement simplifies the unlatching operation while the pivot mechanism itself adds only moderate structural complexity.
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 design enhances ease of use in high-density environments by simplifying the latching and unlatching process and allowing for polarity reversal without direct engagement of the latches, improving accessibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is used to bias the ferrule assembly in a forward direction relative to the connector housing
Implementation Method 2
the boot is configured to engage the rear end of the latch and cause the front end of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of the front housing portion as the boot is moved away from the yoke
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications connector. The connector includes at least one connector portion including a front housing portion coupled to a rear housing portion, the front housing portion being rotatable relative to the rear housing portion about a longitudinal axis, the front housing portion including a ferrule and a latch, the latch defining front and rear ends and being pivotable relative to the rest of the front housing portion at a connection portion. A boot mounted on the telecommunications connector is movable longitudinally relative to the rear housing portion, wherein the boot is configured to engage at least a portion of the latch of the front housing portion and cause the latch to pivot relative to the rest of the front housing portion as the boot is moved relative to the rear housing portion.