Fiber Optic Fan-Out Assembly for Fast Watertight Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic cable transition methods require complex and time-consuming processes to separate optical fibers, remove protective cladding, and route them into furcation tubes, lacking efficient and watertight enclosure solutions.
Innovation Solution
A clamshell housing with resilient alignment disks and heat-shrinkable cover forms a watertight seal around furcation tubes, simplifying the assembly process and ensuring a secure connection to electronic equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fiber optic cable transition methods are used, then optical fibers can be separated and routed into furcation tubes, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The furcation tubes are pre-installed into the housing before the housing is sealed, allowing the optical fibers to be routed into the tubes during a simpler, faster process. The tubes are positioned in advance with proper alignment, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustment during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into separable halves that can be assembled around the furcation tubes and optical fibers in a modular fashion. This segmentation allows for easier installation and sealing, reducing the overall assembly complexity and time required compared to a monolithic structure.
2Reliability
If optical fibers are separated and routed into furcation tubes, then individual fibers can be connected to electronic equipment, but the enclosure lacks watertight sealing
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal ring or gasket is used between the housing halves to create a watertight seal. This flexible element conformally contacts the housing surfaces and seals around the furcation tubes, providing reliable protection against moisture without requiring a complex multi-component sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is integrated into the housing structure itself rather than being a separate complex subsystem. The housing halves are designed with built-in sealing surfaces and features that work together to provide watertight protection, simplifying the overall enclosure design while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If multiple optical fibers are transitioned from trunk cable to jumper cables, then individual connections can be established, but the process lacks efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The furcation tubes are pre-positioned in the housing with proper alignment and spacing before the housing is closed. This preliminary arrangement of tubes eliminates the need for complex real-time fiber routing and positioning operations, significantly improving assembly efficiency and reducing the complexity of the transition process.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure itself provides alignment features and guidance that automatically position the furcation tubes and optical fibers correctly during assembly. The design allows the components to self-align and self-position without requiring complex external alignment tools or procedures, thereby increasing productivity and reducing process complexity.
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
Facilitates a streamlined and sealed transition of optical fibers from trunk cables to jumper cables, enhancing assembly efficiency and preventing leakage.
Implementation Method 1
heat-shrinkable cover forms a watertight seal
Implementation Method 2
resilient alignment disks
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
An optical fan-out assembly includes: a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and a surrounding jacket; a housing comprising first and second mating halves that mate to form a cavity, each of the first and second halves having opposite first and second ends and first and second lips adjacent respective first and second ends; the second half having a window, wherein the first lips create a seal with the cable jacket; a disk with a plurality of holes, a plurality of slots, and having a periphery, wherein a respective one of the plurality of slots extends between each hole and the periphery, the disk adjacent to and forming a seal with the second lips of the first and second halves; and a plurality of furcation tubes, each of the furcation tubes being inserted into a respective hole; wherein the optical fibers extend through the cavity, and each optical fiber is received in a respective furcation tube.