Wet Mate Optical Connector Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wet mate connectors for harsh environments, such as underwater applications, face challenges in providing reliable seals that prevent seawater and contamination from entering the contact chamber during repeated mating and demating, and in accommodating higher fiber counts due to limitations in seal mechanism design.
Innovation Solution
A wet mate optical connector design featuring flexible oil-filled chambers with elastomeric seal assemblies that adjust to seal the interface between plug and receptacle units, using spring-loaded stoppers and movable arms to ensure effective sealing and alignment of optical contacts, even after repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric seal assemblies are used to seal the interface between plug and receptacle units, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple elastomeric sealing elements (first and second elastomeric seals) positioned at different locations within the connector. The first elastomeric seal seals the interface between the plug unit and receptacle unit, while the second elastomeric seal seals the interface between the receptacle unit and the receptacle housing, providing distributed sealing coverage to improve reliability without overcomplicating a single sealing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal assemblies are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing them to deform and conform to the mating surfaces during connection and disconnection cycles. This dynamic flexibility enables the seals to maintain effective sealing contact throughout the mating sequence without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms
2Reliability
If spring-loaded stoppers are used to seal the contact chamber, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded stoppers are pre-positioned in a retracted state within the connector housing, ready to automatically engage with the elastomeric seals when the plug and receptacle units are mated. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual intervention to activate sealing mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable sealing through the spring's automatic engagement action
3Manufacturing precision
If movable arms are used to align optical contacts, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable arms are designed with sufficient flexibility and range of motion to accommodate misalignment during the mating sequence. As the plug unit is inserted into the receptacle unit, the movable arms automatically adjust their position to align the optical contacts, providing precision alignment without requiring complex active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The movable arms utilize the relative motion between the plug and receptacle units during mating to automatically perform alignment. The arms move in response to the mating force and geometric constraints, self-adjusting to the correct alignment position without external intervention or complex control systems
4Object-affected harmful factors
If oil-filled chambers are used to house contact elements, then protection from contamination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate sealed chambers (plug unit chamber and receptacle unit chamber) that are filled with oil to protect the contact elements. Each chamber is independently sealed from the external environment through the elastomeric seals, providing effective contamination protection while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular chamber design
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 connector maintains a high optical-circuit density and ensures reliable sealing in harsh environments, preventing contamination and allowing for higher fiber counts, while maintaining the ability to be repeatedly mated and unmated without loss of sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
elastomeric seal assemblies of the plug and receptacle move into engagement, sealing the plug-receptacle interface from the outside environment
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded stoppers and movable arms to ensure effective sealing
Data Source
AI summary
First and second connector units each have a contact chamber with a front wall having an opening closed by a stopper. Seals in the respective openings surround and seal the stoppers prior to mating. The stopper in the first connector unit is retracted into the housing during mating while the front wall of second connector unit is retracted into its housing during mating, pushed back by the front wall of the first connector unit, separating the stoppers from the end wall openings and allowing communication between the contact chambers through a passageway defined by the aligned openings. The seals in the end walls seal the passageway during and after mating. A contact assembly in the first connector unit moves transversely into alignment with the passageway for contact with a corresponding fixed contact assembly in the second connector unit as the units move into mating engagement.