Multi-Fiber Preterminated Cable Deployment Assembly for Narrow Ducts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber LC connectors are not designed to minimize cross-sectional footprint, making it difficult to push multiple preterminated fibers through a duct simultaneously, and there is a need for a deployment assembly that allows easy and smooth deployment of multi-fiber cables in the field.
Innovation Solution
A deployment assembly comprising a ferrule assembly with a ferrule holder and a crimp sleeve, along with a rod and protective sleeve, that allows multiple preterminated fiber optic cables to be easily pushed, pulled, or blown through a duct, followed by field assembly of an LC connector at the desired location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional LC connectors are used with standard cross-sectional dimensions, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but multiple preterminated fibers cannot be pushed through a duct simultaneously due to large cross-sectional footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment assembly is divided into separate functional components: a deployment tool with a first portion for engaging the cable, a second portion for pushing through the duct, and a connector assembly with a body and housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the connector assembly to achieve a reduced cross-sectional footprint while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed with nested structures where the ferrule assembly is received within the body, and the housing is integrated with the body. The deployment tool portions are configured to be inserted into and removed from the connector assembly. This nesting approach minimizes the overall cross-sectional footprint of the connector assembly while keeping individual components relatively simple to manufacture.
2Productivity
If multiple preterminated fibers are deployed through a duct, then fiber optic connectivity is improved, but the large cross-sectional footprint of conventional connectors makes simultaneous passage through ducts difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment tool is designed with a first portion that engages the cable and a second portion that pushes the connector assembly through the duct. This preliminary action of using a specialized deployment tool enables multiple preterminated fibers to be pushed through the duct simultaneously, improving deployment efficiency while the connector assembly itself maintains a reduced cross-sectional footprint through its nested design.
3Ease of operation
If a reduced cross-sectional footprint is achieved for the connector assembly, then multiple fibers can be pushed through ducts more easily, but the field assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment tool is designed with movable and removable portions that can be inserted into and removed from the connector assembly. The first portion engages the cable and the second portion pushes through the duct, then can be removed. This dynamic design enables easy operation for pushing fibers through ducts while the field assembly process remains manageable through standardized engagement and removal mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An assembly for pulling, pushing, or blowing a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of a multi fiber cable through a duct includes a sleeve, a rod configured to be coupled with the sleeve, and a plurality of dust caps. The sleeve is configured to receive to be coupled with a multi fiber cable and to permit a plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables of the multi fiber cable to pass through the sleeve, and the rod includes a first end configured to be coupled with the sleeve. Each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupled with a ferrule of one of the preterminated fiber optic cables, and each of the plurality of dust caps is configured to be coupled with the rod, thereby coupling the preterminated fiber optic cables with the rod. The preterminated fiber optic cables are configured to be assembled with a fiber optic connector, the deployment assembly has a cross-sectional footprint that is smaller than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that is configured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable, and the plurality of preterminated fiber optic cables are configured to be pushed, pulled, or blown together through a duct having an inner diameter than is less than a cross-sectional footprint of a fiber optic connector that is configured to be assembled with the preterminated fiber optic cable.