Connector Housing Press Fit Boot Seal for Field Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high upfront engineering and installation costs associated with fiber optic systems due to the need for factory-terminated connectors and expensive installation hardware, which can be financially less attractive compared to copper-based systems, and the requirement for skilled technicians for field installations.
Innovation Solution
A field-installable connector housing with a press fit boot seal that allows for point-to-point cable running and connections, reducing upfront planning and enabling less skilled personnel to install fiber optic systems, featuring a connector housing body, sealing boots, fiber optic adapters, and sealing elements for environmental sealing and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If factory-terminated connectors and splice enclosures are used, then connection reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is divided into separate modular components including the housing body, sealing boots, fiber optic adapters, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows field engineers to assemble the connector in situ without requiring factory termination, reducing installation complexity while maintaining connection reliability through precision-machined mating surfaces and proper sealing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing includes integrated sealing boots and sealing elements that automatically provide environmental protection when assembled. The snap-fit retention mechanism and self-aligning features enable the connector to self-configure during installation, reducing the need for specialized installation procedures and skilled technicians.
2Manufacturing precision
If factory-terminated connectors are used, then connection quality is improved, but upfront engineering work and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic adapters are pre-installed into the connector housing body during manufacturing, ensuring proper alignment and positioning. This preliminary action guarantees connection quality while allowing the actual connector assembly to be completed in the field using simple snap-fit retention, thereby improving installation ease without sacrificing manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing employs material and geometric parameter optimizations such as rubber-like elastomeric materials for the sealing boots and housing body, which provide both precision fitting and flexibility for field installation. The tapered bore geometry and snap-fit retention parameters enable reliable assembly without specialized tools or skills.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If environmental sealing is provided, then protection against water immersion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing uses flexible rubber-like elastomeric sealing boots that extend from the housing body to enclose the fiber optic connectors and cables. These flexible membranes provide effective environmental sealing and water immersion protection through their inherent elasticity and ability to conform to cable geometries, without requiring complex multi-component sealing systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to run cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a connector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the interference lip on the sealing boot and the interference lip on the connector housing body.