Optical Fiber Fanout Housing with Telescoping Cavity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fanouts used in optical fiber telecommunication systems exhibit temperature sensitivity due to differential thermal expansion of materials, leading to increased optical loss at low temperatures, especially when exposed to environments like −40° C.

Innovation Solution

The optical fiber fanout device features a housing with a fiber telescoping cavity and deformable holding blocks that allow for arcs exceeding the minimum bend radius for optical fibers, accommodating differential thermal expansion while securing fibers and furcation tubes with adhesive, preventing peeling and allowing for modular design and efficient manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional optical fanout designs are used with fixed material compositions, then manufacturing is simplified, but temperature sensitivity increases due to differential thermal expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtemperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the housing by incorporating a telescoping cavity that allows dimensional adjustment. This enables the housing to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the optical fibers without transmitting stress to the connectors, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic element - the telescoping cavity - that allows the housing to change its dimensions in response to temperature variations. This dynamic adaptation enables the fanout to maintain reliability across temperature ranges while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid housing structures are used to secure fibers, then structural stability is improved, but thermal stress causes increased optical loss at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The telescoping cavity acts as a cushioning element that absorbs thermal stress before it can be transmitted to the optical fibers and connectors. By providing this protective buffer in advance, the design prevents thermal stress from causing optical loss while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If adhesive is applied freely in furcation tube holding blocks, then fiber securing is improved, but adhesive wicking causes misalignment and manufacturing defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber securing strengthVSAvoidfiber alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive only in specific localized areas within the furcation tube holding block rather than applying it freely throughout. This localized adhesive application provides sufficient fiber securing strength while preventing excessive adhesive from wicking and causing alignment defects, thereby resolving the contradiction between securing strength and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces temperature-induced optical loss, allows for up to 72 fibers to be managed effectively, and simplifies production by using a modular structure that minimizes material costs and sensitivity to temperature variations, meeting industry standards like Telcordia GR-2866.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature sensitivity is generally due to differential thermal expansion moduli of the materials comprising the fanout

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

securing fibers and furcation tubes with adhesive, preventing peeling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS7613376B2Optical fiber fanout devices and methods for forming the same

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Optical fiber fanout devices include a housing having a fiber telescoping cavity therein. An optical fiber tubing receiving opening in the housing extends to the fiber telescoping cavity. The optical fiber tubing receiving opening is configured to secure a plurality of optical fiber tubes therein. An optical fiber receiving opening in the housing also extends to the cavity. The optical fiber receiving opening is displaced from the optical fiber tubing receiving opening by a distance selected to define an arc for an optical fiber extending from the optical fiber receiving opening to the optical fiber tubing receiving opening that exceeds a minimum bend radius for the optical fiber.