Fiber Optic Breakout Assembly with Integrated Mounting Flanges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber optic breakout assemblies and mounting members are cumbersome, complex, and inefficient, lacking cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness in fiber optic applications.

Innovation Solution

The development of improved fiber optic breakout assemblies and associated mounting members with mating features, including a clamshell housing and snap-fit mechanisms, that allow for easy branching of fiber optic cables from a bundle and provide secure, versatile, and cost-effective mounting solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breakout assemblies use shrink-sleeved tubes or limited planar panels, then fiber optic cables can be bundled, but mechanical mounting capability is lost and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical mounting capabilityVSAvoidbreakout assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the breakout function and mounting function into a single integrated housing structure. The housing includes both the breakout region for separating fiber optic cables and mounting members (flanges with holes) for mechanical attachment to racks or cabinets, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and shrink-sleeved tubes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the breakout region, provides structural support, enables mechanical mounting through integrated flanges, and facilitates cable management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breakout assemblies are designed for specific applications, then mounting is possible, but adaptability to different configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific mountingVSAvoidmounting member configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting members are designed as separate flanges that can be attached to the housing in different configurations. The flanges include multiple holes that can be used in various patterns to accommodate different mounting requirements, allowing the same basic housing to be adapted to different applications without redesigning the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If conventional breakout regions lack integrated mounting means, then cable branching is simple, but mechanical stability and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical mounting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The breakout region and mounting means are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The housing includes both the breakout region for separating fiber optic cables and mounting members (flanges with holes) for mechanical attachment to racks or cabinets, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and shrink-sleeved tubes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2783249B1Breakout assemblies and associated mounting members for fiber optic applications
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 ORTRONICS INC
  • EP2783249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2783249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2783249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Advantageous breakout assemblies and associated mounting members for use in fiber optic applications are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for improved fiber optic breakout assemblies and associated mounting members (e.g., mounting panels) that include mating features. The present disclosure provides for improved systems/designs for breakout assemblies and mounting members for use in fiber optic applications, and wherein the breakout assemblies and mounting members are cost-effective, efficient and/or user-friendly. Improved, convenient, low-cost and effective systems, assemblies and methods are provided for easily breaking/branching out one or more fiber optic cables/fibers from a bundle or harness containing a plurality of fiber optic cables/fibers by utilizing advantageous breakout assemblies and mounting members that include mating features, and related assemblies.