Fiber Optic Cable Connector With Diagonally Offset Apertures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center networking solutions using parallel optical fiber infrastructure are cumbersome, prone to increased insertion loss, and occupy a lot of space, making them inefficient as demand increases.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cable and adapter housing system with diagonally offset apertures for communicative coupling and a shuffle function, reducing physical matings and eliminating the need for dedicated shuffle devices, while using expanded beam optical lensing to minimize signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional patch panels and discrete duplex fibers are used to implement optical fiber infrastructure, then connectivity between devices can be achieved, but the system consumes a large amount of space and is cumbersome to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fiber optic connections and shuffle functions into a single integrated connector body and adapter housing. The connector body houses multiple fiber portions with apertures that can be physically contacted or optically coupled, eliminating the need for separate patch panels and discrete duplex fibers. This merging of functions reduces space occupancy while maintaining connectivity capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body and adapter housing serve multiple functions: they provide physical protection for fiber portions, enable communicative coupling through apertures, support both physical contact and expanded beam optical lensing modes, and implement shuffle functions to couple devices to multiple other devices. This multi-functionality replaces multiple separate components, reducing overall space requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional patch panels and discrete fibers are used, then device connectivity is provided, but the implementation is cumbersome and prone to increased insertion loss
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple fiber connections into a single integrated connector body with aligned apertures, the patent reduces the number of connection interfaces. Fewer interfaces mean fewer opportunities for misalignment and contamination, thereby reducing insertion loss while maintaining device connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces expanded beam optical lensing as an intermediary mechanism between fiber portions. The lensing system expands and refocuses light, providing a more tolerant coupling interface that reduces sensitivity to misalignment and contamination, thereby reducing insertion loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated shuffle devices are used to enable shuffle function, then device communication is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shuffle function directly into the connector body and adapter housing structure. The diagonally offset aperture arrangement and opposing receptacle configurations enable shuffle functionality without requiring separate dedicated shuffle devices, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining the capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body and adapter housing serve as both connection interfaces and shuffle elements. The first receptacle with slots for first orientation and the second receptacle with slots for second orientation enable the shuffle function to be performed by the same components that provide physical connection, eliminating the need for additional dedicated shuffle devices.
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 configuration simplifies infrastructure implementation, reduces insertion loss by half, and minimizes operational effort, providing efficient and reliable connectivity between devices with reduced space occupancy.
Implementation Method 1
expanded beam optical lensing
Implementation Method 2
expanded beam optical lensing
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments described herein are directed to a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic adapter housing. The cable comprises a connector body that houses a plurality of fiber portions. The connector body has a face comprising a plurality of rows of apertures for exposing respective ends of the fiber portions. Each aperture of a particular row are diagonally offset from nearest aperture(s) of an adjacent row. The housing comprises first slots having a first orientation and opposing second slots having a second orientation. The first slots are configured for the insertion of cables having the first orientation, and the second slots are configured for the insertion of cables having the second orientation. Such a configuration enables a shuffle function, where a device coupled to a cable inserted into a first slot is communicatively coupled to other devices each connected to a respective cable inserted into a respective second slot.