Duplex Connector Coupling for Stable Quad Fiber Cable Pitches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable management systems face challenges in maintaining precise cable connections and pitches, particularly in high-density cable configurations, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions in signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

A duplex fiber optic connector with a cable holding portion and connector coupling portion, featuring dovetail projections and openings, allows for the formation of a quad fiber optic connector, ensuring stable cable retention and consistent pitch distances through modular clip systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cable management clips are used to retain cables, then cable connection reliability is improved, but the clips are easily misaligned and separated from cables when physically contacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection reliabilityVSAvoidclip-cable alignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cable management clips into a single integrated assembly where the clips are interconnected through a rigid body structure. This merging ensures that all clips maintain their relative positions and alignments simultaneously, preventing the misalignment and separation issues that occur with individual clips. The integrated design allows the entire clip assembly to be treated as one unified component that retains multiple cables at predetermined distances while maintaining stable connections even when physically contacted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple cables are installed in high-density configurations, then space utilization is improved, but cable pitch precision and connection accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcable pitch precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cable management function into multiple discrete clips distributed along the cable assembly, with each clip responsible for retaining specific cables at predetermined distances. This segmentation allows for precise control of individual cable positions while maintaining overall compactness. The clips are positioned at specific intervals along the rigid body, ensuring consistent pitch distances between cables even in high-density configurations, thereby achieving both space utilization and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent cable installation and manipulation is performed, then adaptability to changing network needs is improved, but cable connection accuracy and position stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable reconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidconnection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a rigid body structure that provides stable, fixed positioning for multiple cables while maintaining the ability to be installed and manipulated as a single unit. The rigid body ensures that cable positions and connections remain stable during normal operation, preventing accidental misalignment. At the same time, the modular clip assembly can be easily installed, removed, and reconfigured as needed, providing adaptability to changing network requirements without compromising connection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250216640A1Duplex connector structurally configured to couple with another duplex connector to enhance installation and cable management
Publication Date: 2025.07.03 BELDEN CANADA ULC
  • US20250216640A1 patent drawing
  • US20250216640A1 patent drawing
  • US20250216640A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A duplex fiber optic connector may have a body portion with a cable holding portion. A connector coupling portion may couple the body portion with a body portion of a second same duplex fiber optic connector to provide a quad fiber optic connector. The cable holding portion may include a first cable holding portion a second cable holding portion that respectively hold first and second fiber optic cables. The first cable holding portion and the second cable holding portion may define a top wall portion of the body portion and a bottom wall portion of the body portion. The connector coupling portion may couple the body portion such that the bottom wall portion faces a bottom wall portion of the second same duplex connector and the second same duplex connector is prevented from being separated from the body portion in a direction away from the bottom wall portion so as to enhance installation and cable management.