Traction Limiting Element for Fiber Optic Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber-optic connectors lack a mechanism to safely disconnect under excessive tensile load, posing risks of injury and damage to end devices and installation boxes, leading to costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A tension limiting element for fiber-optic connections featuring adjustable receiving devices with collets, locking lugs, and securing elements that allow separation at a predetermined tensile force, ensuring safe disconnection and protecting the fiber optic connection from excessive stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fiber optic connectors with positive locking mechanisms are used, then connection reliability is improved and accidental disconnection is prevented, but the risk of injury and damage to devices increases when excessive tensile stress is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a dynamic release mechanism where the locking arms can automatically disengage when a predetermined tensile force is exceeded. This allows the connection to transition from a locked state to a released state dynamically, preventing device damage while maintaining reliability under normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed with specific mechanical parameters (arm length, material properties, engagement geometry) that determine the force required to release the connection. By carefully selecting these parameters, the connector maintains strong locking under normal use but releases at a predetermined safe force threshold
2Ease of operation
If fiber optic connections are made easily installable by laypersons, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of improper installation and accidental disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector features self-aligning and self-locking mechanisms that automatically ensure proper installation without requiring specialized knowledge. The locking arms engage automatically when connectors are mated, and the release mechanism activates automatically when excessive force is applied, making the system safe and reliable even for layperson installation
3Stability of the object's composition
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent accidental disconnection, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into separate components (locking arms, engagement surfaces, release mechanisms) that can be independently optimized. This modular approach allows the locking mechanism to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire connector, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6
AI summary
The traction limiting element has receiving devices (2,6) equipped with receptacles for receiving and fixing of one or more optical fibers parallel to an axial direction. A connecting portion is provided for connecting the receiving devices. The connecting portion is configured such that the connection between the receiving devices is separable under the action of a predetermined tensile force. The receiving structures of receiving devices comprise a collet with one tongue (8). Independent claims are included for the following: (1) patch cord; and (2) pigtail.