Fiber Optic Connector Crimp Body With Integrated Fiber Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to efficiently assemble fiber optic connectors without damaging the optical fibers during assembly, and existing connectors are inefficient and cumbersome, leading to issues such as fiber damage during installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic connector assembly that includes a crimp body with integrated guide features to prevent optical fibers from being clamped during assembly, and allows for easy rework by increasing the distance between the ferrule and crimp body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fiber optic connectors are assembled by crimping or crushing optical fibers, then the connector can be securely attached to the cable, but the optical fibers are damaged during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide members as intermediary elements between the mating surfaces and optical fibers. These guide members physically prevent the optical fibers from being clamped between the mating surfaces while still allowing secure attachment of the connector to the cable through the crimp body.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimp body is divided into first and second crimp body portions that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows the optical fibers to be positioned and protected during assembly, with the guide members integrated into the segmented structure to prevent clamping while enabling secure attachment.
2Productivity
If fiber optic connectors are pre-assembled in advance, then installation time is reduced, but fiber damage may occur during the assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are pre-integrated into the crimp body structure before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that fiber protection is built-in from the start, allowing rapid assembly without the risk of fiber damage occurring during the crimping process.
3Strength
If the crimp body is designed with mating surfaces that clamp fibers, then secure attachment is achieved, but fiber damage becomes progressive and problematic shortly after activation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members serve as protective intermediaries that maintain the spacing between the mating surfaces and optical fibers. This prevents direct contact and clamping forces from reaching the fibers, eliminating the progressive damage that would otherwise occur after initial assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fiber optic cable assembly having a fiber optic connector is disclosed. The fiber optic connector includes a crimp body having first and second crimp body portions. The first and second crimp body portions have respective mating surfaces and respective passageway portions that form a crimp body passageway when the first and second crimp body portions are assembled. The first mating surface includes one or more integrated guide members extending away from the first mating surface. The guide members are aligned with an inner surface of the first passageway portion to prevent optical fibers from being clamped between the mating surfaces when the first and second crimp body portions are assembled. The second crimp body portion may also include integrated guide members. A connector having such integrated guide members and a method of making a fiber optic cable assembly with such a connector are also disclosed.