Bendable Optical Cable Boot for Compact Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical cables and components experience bending stresses in compact environments, leading to premature failures, and existing solutions like permanently bent boots are not suitable for all applications due to space constraints and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The optical cable configuration includes an optical component assembly with inner and outer optical fibers, a componentry cover, and a connector, featuring a bendable cover that can change states without external force, providing strain relief and allowing the cable to be compacted into tighter spaces while reducing torsional stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If optical cables are placed in compact environments, then space utilization is improved, but bending stresses increase causing premature failures
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is designed to be bendable and adaptable, allowing it to change its shape dynamically based on the installation space requirements. The boot can be bent during installation to fit compact environments, and once installed, it maintains the cable in a stress-relieved position, providing ongoing protection against bending stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot's physical parameters (shape, curvature) are changed during installation to match the required compact configuration. By adjusting the boot's bend angle and position, the cable's bending radius is optimized to reduce stress while maintaining space efficiency.
2Reliability
If permanently bent boots are used to reduce bending stresses, then cable reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The boot transitions from a flexible, easily manipulable state during installation to a fixed, stress-relieving state after installation. The boot's dynamic nature allows operators to bend and position it as needed, and once installed, it maintains the optimal configuration to protect the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot is prepared in a straight, flexible state before installation, allowing easy manipulation. During installation, the boot is bent to the required configuration, and this preliminary shaping action creates the stress-relieving effect that protects the cable throughout its service life.
3Ease of operation
If straight boot portions are used to maintain ease of operation, then ease of manipulation is improved, but bending stress relief capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The boot's ability to bend is utilized during installation to create the desired configuration, and once installed, the bent boot maintains the cable in a position that reduces bending stress. The boot's dynamic flexibility during installation followed by static protection during operation resolves this contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector assembly includes an optical component assembly, inner and outer optical fibers, a componentry cover, and a connector. The optical component assembly includes an optical unit. The inner and the outer optical fibers are on opposing sides of the optical unit such that the optical unit receives a first optical signal from the inner optical fiber and the outer optical fiber receives a second optical signal from the optical unit or such that the optical unit receives the second optical signal from the outer optical fiber and the inner optical fiber receives the first optical signal from the optical unit. The componentry cover encapsulates an entirety of the optical unit and portions of the inner and the outer optical fibers. The connector includes a portion of first outer optical fiber that is exposed to route the second optical signal.