Fiber-Optic Adapter With Strain Relief For Stiff Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-optic connectors face challenges in accommodating dissimilar types, leading to alignment and stability issues, particularly with the increased stiffness of modern fiber optic cables, which can result in signal attenuation and potential fiber breakage due to external forces.
Innovation Solution
An adapter designed to receive both multifiber and hardened multifiber connectors, featuring engagement mechanisms, alignment features, and a shroud to ensure secure and stable connections, mitigating external influences like side loading, rotational, and tensile forces, while allowing for proper alignment and mating of dissimilar connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fiber optic cables are made stiffer for outdoor applications, then cable strength and durability are improved, but torque and external forces are more readily transmitted to the plug ferrule, causing alignment issues and potential fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the stiff outdoor fiber optic cable and the closure system. It includes a strain relief mechanism that intercepts and dissipates torque and external forces before they can be transmitted to the connector ferrule, thereby protecting the optical fibers from breakage while maintaining cable strength
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter incorporates strain relief features and flexible cable management elements that cushion and absorb mechanical stresses before they reach the connector assembly. This preemptive cushioning prevents force transmission to the ferrule, maintaining alignment stability even with stiff armored cables
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapters for dissimilar connectors are designed to accommodate different connector types, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple connector types through configurable internal components. The adapter body includes adjustable alignment features and interchangeable interface elements that allow it to mate with different connector standards without requiring multiple specialized adapters, thereby achieving versatility without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into modular segments including a fixed adapter body, interchangeable interface components, and adjustable alignment mechanisms. This segmentation allows the basic structure to remain simple while enabling compatibility with different connector types through interchangeable parts, reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional port designs are used with single ferrule reception, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to connect dissimilar connectors is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter implements a nested structure where an inner ferrule holder is positioned within the outer port housing. This nested arrangement allows the port to maintain its simple external form for easy manufacturing while accommodating different ferrule configurations internally. The inner component can be adjusted or replaced to support dissimilar connector types without redesigning the entire port structure
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter for a fiber-optic plug is disclosed, the adapter configured to be received in a port of a fiber-optic apparatus, the adapter comprising: a first opening proximate a first end of the adapter, the first opening configured to receive a multifiber fiber optic connector; a second opening proximate a second end of the adapter, the second opening configured to receive a hardened multifiber connector; an adapter body extending longitudinally between the first end of the adapter and the second end of the adapter and defining an internal cavity therethrough, the adapter body comprising: a first engagement mechanism at the first end of the adapter for engaging with the port of the fiber-optic apparatus; a second engagement mechanism between the first end of the adapter and the second end of the adapter for engaging with the multifiber fiber optic connector; a third engagement mechanism at the second end of the adapter for engaging with a hardened multifiber connector; a locating feature for locating the hardened multifiber connector in the adapter; and an alignment mechanism for aligning the adapter with the fiber-optic apparatus