Cylindrical Crimp with Annular Grooves for Jacketed Cable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integrity of light or electrical conduction in fiber-optic and coaxial cables is often degraded due to separation or axial slippage between the clamping/crimping structure of the end connector and the strength members of the outer jacket, leading to unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical crimp with alternating thicker and thinner annular regions is used, aligned with recessed grooves on a rear body, to securely trap the strength members of the cable, preventing slippage and enhancing strain relief through plastic deformation during crimping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional clamping or crimping structure is used to retain strength members, then the cable can be terminated and connected, but separation or axial slippage occurs between the crimping structure and strength members, degrading conduction integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping structure incorporates alternating thicker and thinner annular regions, creating local variations in thickness. The thicker regions provide enhanced engagement with strength members at specific locations, while thinner regions allow for controlled deformation during crimping. This local quality variation ensures reliable retention without compromising overall conduction integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping structure is divided into multiple annular regions with different thicknesses rather than being uniform. This segmentation allows different portions of the crimp to perform different functions: thicker regions for secure engagement and thinner regions for deformation accommodation, preventing axial slippage while maintaining stability.
2Strength
If the crimping structure deforms plastically during crimping to enhance strain relief, then retention strength improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping structure utilizes parameter changes in thickness (alternating thicker and thinner annular regions) to achieve different mechanical properties in different locations. The thicker regions provide structural strength for retention, while the thinner regions facilitate plastic deformation during crimping. This parameter variation enables enhanced retention strength without requiring a fundamentally complex structure 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
This design effectively prevents separation and axial slippage between the cable and the end connector, ensuring robust and reliable light or electrical conduction by maintaining secure engagement of the cable's strength members.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing strain relief through plastic deformation during crimping
Data Source
AI summary
An end connector for a jacketed cable includes a rear body having a cylindrical retention portion with an outer surface that includes a plurality of recessed annular grooves. The cylindrical crimp comprises a plurality of thicker annular regions adjacent to and separated by a plurality of thinner annular regions. Each thicker annular region of the cylindrical crimp is axially aligned with a corresponding recessed annular groove on the outer surface of the cylindrical retention portion of the rear body, and such alignment is maintained during crimping to trap strength members of the jacketed cable.