Optical Fiber Connector Cable Clamp for Reliable Butt-Join
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fibre connectors face issues with reliable butt-joining and rapid on-site attachment/detachment due to unexpected tension and damage during the securing process, which affects the optical performance when connectors are connected.
Innovation Solution
An optical fibre connector design featuring a housing, ferrule, end sleeve, and optical cable clamp that allows the optical cable clamp to be retained in separate positions, applying thrust to curve the fibre for reliable butt-joining and releasing it to prevent damage, with elastic reeds and positioning lugs ensuring secure attachment and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the optical cable is secured after the optical fibre locking step, then the installation process is simplified, but the optical fibre may be pulled out due to unexpected tension
Solution Approach 1:
The optical cable is secured to the connector housing before the optical fibre locking step. This preliminary action ensures that the optical cable is firmly fixed prior to fibre alignment and locking, preventing any unexpected tension from causing fibre displacement. The sequence is reversed from conventional approaches: cable securing occurs first, then fibre insertion, alignment, and locking follow.
2Reliability
If the optical cable securing step takes place before the optical fibre locking step, then reliable butt-join between optical fibres is ensured, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing is designed with a pre-integrated cable securing mechanism that allows the optical cable to be secured before fibre installation. The housing includes a cable clamp or securing structure that is ready to receive and fix the optical cable in advance, eliminating the need for separate complex securing steps later in the process.
3Reliability
If the optical cable is securely fixed, then the optical fibre can be protected from damage, but the slight curvature from butt-joining cannot be released, affecting optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates a dynamic fibre management mechanism that allows the optical fibre to transition from a curved state during butt-joining to a straightened state after connection. This may include a fibre storage reel, bend relief structure, or adjustable clamp that releases the curvature constraint while maintaining secure fibre protection, thereby restoring optimal optical performance.
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
Ensures a reliable butt-join between optical fibres, preventing damage and improving optical performance by securing the optical cable before locking the fibres, allowing for rapid and secure attachment and detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a slight curve is introduced to the optical cable optical fibre when butt-joining, and by exerting a certain amount of pre-exerted thrust on the end surface of the optical cable optical fibre and the embedded optical fibre as a result of a suitably deformed curved shaped in the optical cable optical fibre
Implementation Method 2
elastic reeds and positioning lugs ensuring secure attachment and easy detachment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an optical fiber connector, comprising: a housing, a ferrule installed within said housing; an end sleeve, connecting to the rear end of said housing; and an optical cable clamp, installed by insertion within said end sleeve, being provided for the purpose of clamping an optical cable. Said optical cable is secured within said optical cable clamp, and after said optical cable clamp is inserted and secured within said end sleeve, the optical fiber of said optical cable is inserted within said housing and butt-joined with the embedded optical fiber within said ferrule. As a result of this, before the butt-joined optical fibers are locked in, the optical cable has already been secured within the optical cable clamp and fixed to the connector housing. Therefore, the butt-joined optical fibers cannot be separated due to the effects of unexpected pulling force, thus ensuring the optical fiber of the optical cable reliably abuts the embedded optical fiber.