Active Optical Cable Modular Design for Repairable Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active optical cables are scrapped entirely when locally damaged, leading to high manufacturing and user usage costs due to the lack of modular replacement options.
Innovation Solution
An active optical cable design featuring detachable optical modules with a connecting sleeve that maintains optical coupling between the optical cable and modules, allowing for the replacement of faulty modules without discarding the entire cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the active optical cable is designed as an integrated unit, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the cost increases when local damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The active optical cable is divided into modular components: the optical cable body and detachable optical modules with connecting terminals. This segmentation allows the cable to be assembled from separate parts, enabling replacement of only the damaged module rather than the entire cable, thus reducing material waste while maintaining transmission reliability through proper modular design
2Ease of repair
If the optical module is detachably connected to the optical cable, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical cable and the optical module. This connecting sleeve simplifies the overall connection structure by providing a standardized interface that accommodates the detachable optical module, enabling easy repair and replacement without requiring complex custom connection mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If the connecting sleeve is added to maintain optical coupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting sleeve is designed with self-aligning features including positioning protrusions and corresponding positioning grooves, as well as elastic mounting portions that automatically clamp the connecting terminals. These self-service features maintain optical coupling without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or external tools, simplifying the overall operation while keeping the connecting sleeve structure relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an active optical cable comprising an optical cable; optical modules, arranged at each of two ends of the optical cable and optically coupled with the optical cable, at least one of which is detachably connected with the optical cable; a first connecting terminal connected to one end of the optical cable and optically coupled with the optical cable; a second connecting terminal connected to the optical module and optically coupled with the optical module, the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal being optically coupled; and a connecting sleeve which is connected between the optical cable and the second connecting terminal and keeps the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal in an optical coupling state, wherein at least one of the optical cable and the second connecting terminal is detachably connected with the connecting sleeve.