Breakout Cable Assembly With Intermediate Connectors for Segment Repair

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breakout cable assemblies require replacement when a single cable leg experiences a fault, disrupting service to all connected equipment.

Innovation Solution

A breakout cable assembly design with intermediate connectors that divide each cable leg into segments, allowing individual segments to be serviced independently, reducing the need for complete assembly replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional breakout cable assembly is used without intermediate connectors, then the cable assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the entire assembly must be replaced when one cable leg experiences a fault, disrupting service to all equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidcable assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable assembly is divided into multiple segments by inserting intermediate connectors between cable legs. Each cable leg is separated into first and second cable segments connected by intermediate connectors, allowing independent replacement of faulty segments without affecting other legs. This segmentation enables selective replacement of only the damaged portion while maintaining operational connectivity in other segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate connectors are introduced as intermediary components between cable legs to enable modular replacement. These intermediate connectors serve as mediators that allow one cable leg to be isolated and replaced without disrupting the entire assembly. The intermediate connectors provide connection points that facilitate independent servicing of each cable leg while maintaining the overall integrity of the breakout cable assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If intermediate connectors are added to enable independent cable leg replacement, then fault isolation and repair become possible without disrupting other equipment, but the cable assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable leg replacementVSAvoidconnector configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable assembly is divided into multiple segments by inserting intermediate connectors between cable legs. Each cable leg is separated into first and second cable segments connected by intermediate connectors, allowing independent replacement of faulty segments without affecting other legs. This segmentation enables selective replacement of only the damaged portion while maintaining operational connectivity in other segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate connectors are designed with universal compatibility to work across different cable leg configurations. The same intermediate connector design can be used in various positions and with different cable leg arrangements, providing multi-functionality that simplifies the repair process while maintaining standardized connection interfaces throughout the assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12529860B2Breakout cable assembly

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 SIEMON CO

AI summary

A breakout cable assembly includes a first connector; a plurality of cable legs terminated at the first connector, each cable leg including two or more optical fibers; an intermediate connector in each cable leg, each intermediate connector dividing a respective cable leg into a first cable segment and a second cable segment; a plurality of second connecters, each second connector terminated to a respective second cable segment.