Fiber Optic Connectors With Multi-Diametrical Sealing Flexure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic connectors lack robustness and reliability in various environmental conditions and installation scenarios, requiring enhanced designs that maintain quick and trouble-free connections while protecting optical fibers from undue stress.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber optic connectors and assemblies featuring a connector housing, ferrule, cable adapter, adapter extension, and multi-diametrical sealing flexure, which provide a customized connectorization profile with a multicomponent bending stiffness profile and non-destructive flexural relief points, ensuring secure and flexible connections under transverse loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fiber optic connector designs are used, then the connection process is quick and simple, but the robustness and reliability under various environmental conditions and installation scenarios is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion with a sealing flexure, an adapter portion with a receptacle, and a strain relief member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide overall robustness and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing flexure is pre-installed within the body portion to create a sealed environment before the optical fiber is inserted. This beforehand cushioning protects the fiber from environmental factors and mechanical stress, enhancing reliability without requiring complex external protective structures.
2Ease of operation
If the connector structure is simplified for quick connection, then ease of operation is improved, but protection of optical fibers from undue stress is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief member is pre-configured in the adapter portion to automatically engage with the optical fiber upon insertion. This preliminary action ensures that stress protection is activated immediately during the quick connection process, without requiring additional manual steps or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing flexure acts as an intermediary element between the optical fiber and the external environment. It provides a flexible barrier that protects the fiber from stress and environmental factors while allowing the simple push-in connection mechanism to remain effective.
3Strength
If the connector is made more robust with additional protective features, then reliability under transverse loads is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing flexure and strain relief functions are merged into a integrated adapter assembly that combines the body portion, sealing flexure, and strain relief member. This merging provides enhanced strength and protection against transverse loads while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure with fewer discrete components.
4Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is added to protect the optical fiber, then reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible sealing flexure made from elastomeric material is used instead of rigid sealing mechanisms. This flexible film can be easily molded and integrated into the body portion, providing effective seal integrity while remaining simple to manufacture using standard elastomeric molding processes.
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
The solution enhances the robustness and reliability of fiber optic connections by distributing bending stress and maintaining a seal under various loads, including bends of up to 90 degrees, thus protecting the optical fibers and ensuring reliable performance in diverse environments.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-diametrical sealing flexure comprises a cable engaging portion engaging an outer cable surface of the fiber optic cable, a housing engaging portion engaging an outer housing surface of the connector housing, and an intermediate flexure portion extending from the cable engaging portion to the housing engaging portion and engaging an outer extension surface of the adapter extension
Data Source
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AI summary
Fiber optic connectors, connector housings, connectorized cable assemblies, and methods for the connectorization of cable assemblies are provided with particular cable adapter features, adapter extensions, multi-diametrical sealing flexures, subcutaneous sealing elements, and combinations thereof, for improved connector and cable performance, integrity, and durability.