Fiber Optic Mounting with Pre-Terminated Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fusion splicing method for connecting high fiber-count backbone cables in data centers is labor-intensive, operator-dependent, and disruptive, leading to significant downtime and financial losses when expanding the network to connect additional buildings.
Innovation Solution
An equipment mounting arrangement for fiber optic networks that includes a mounting frame with terminal supports and a cable mount, allowing for the connection of additional fiber optic cables without disrupting live data by 'parking' unused connectors until needed, using a system of terminals, cable guides, and parking devices to manage fiber optic connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusion splicing is used to connect additional buildings to the backbone cable, then optical connectivity is achieved, but network downtime and operational disruption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-terminating optical fibers with connectors and storing them in splice enclosures before they are needed. This allows connectors to be ready and waiting, so when a building needs to be connected, the process is simply a matter of plugging in the pre-prepared connector rather than performing time-consuming fusion splicing during operational hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the splicing operation from the active network environment by performing all fiber termination and connector preparation offline in the splice enclosure, separating the connection preparation from the actual network operation. This allows the main network to remain operational while connection preparations are made in advance.
2Reliability
If fusion splicing is performed to connect additional buildings, then optical connections are established, but labor intensity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
All complex fusion splicing and fiber termination work is performed in advance during off-hours, transforming a complex operational task into a simple plug-and-play connection. The preliminary preparation includes stripping, cleaning, splicing, and connector attachment, reducing on-site work to merely connecting pre-prepared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice enclosure acts as an intermediary that houses pre-terminated connectors and facilitates easy connection to the backbone cable. Instead of performing complex splicing operations directly at the network connection point, the system uses pre-prepared connectors stored in the splice enclosure as intermediaries.
3Adaptability or versatility
If splice enclosures are opened to perform additional fusion splicing, then new buildings can be connected, but existing connections may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fiber connection process into separate, independent connector units that can be individually accessed and connected without affecting other connections. Each building connection has its own dedicated connector in the splice enclosure, allowing selective connection or disconnection without impacting other buildings' connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
All connection准备工作 is completed in advance with individual connectors prepared and stored in the splice enclosure. This means that when expansion is needed, only the specific connector for the new building needs to be accessed, while all existing connections remain undisturbed and continue to function normally.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment mounting arrangement for a fiber optic network is disclosed. The equipment mounting arrangement includes a mounting frame and a plurality of terminal supports connected to the mounting frame. Each of the plurality of terminal supports carries at least one terminal bracket and the at least one terminal bracket includes a plurality of shelves. The arrangement further includes a plurality of terminals and at least some of the plurality of shelves includes a respective one of the plurality of terminals. The arrangement includes a cable mount for supporting a plurality of fiber optic cables, where each of the plurality of fiber optic cables has a terminated end including a plurality of fiber optic connectors configured to be connected to the plurality of terminals in the equipment mounting arrangement. A method for configuring a fiber optic network using the equipment mounting arrangement is also disclosed.