Fiber Optic Multiport Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic multiports are excessively bulky and inflexible, making them unsuitable for smaller storage spaces and requiring a large surface area for mounting, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic multiport design featuring a housing with interlocking structure and flexible extensions that support optical fibers and ports, allowing for compact configuration and easier access, with the ports being separated from the housing to reduce bulkiness and improve accessibility in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is made tough and weatherable to support outdoor storage, then reliability is improved, but the housing becomes excessively bulky and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The multiport device is divided into a housing portion and a separate port assembly that can be detached. This segmentation allows the housing to be optimized for weather resistance while the port assembly can be configured for compactness and flexibility in tight spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The port assembly is designed to be movable and reconfigurable relative to the housing. Ports can be positioned at different locations and orientations, allowing the device to adapt to various installation environments including tight underground pits while maintaining a compact overall form factor.
2Ease of manufacture
If all ports are mounted on the same face of the housing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the device becomes too boxy and inflexible for smaller storage spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The port assembly is separated from the main housing, allowing ports to be arranged in configurations that extend beyond a single face. This segmentation enables adaptation to various spatial constraints while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Ports are arranged in three-dimensional space rather than being constrained to a single plane. The port assembly can extend in multiple directions from the housing, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions to accommodate tight spaces while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized mounting interfaces.
3Volume of moving object
If the housing surface area is reduced to fit smaller spaces, then volume is improved, but the ports become cramped and harder to access
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of ports from the main housing into a distinct assembly allows the housing to be compact while the port assembly provides adequate spacing and accessibility. The modular design enables ports to be positioned for easy access without increasing the overall housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The port assembly acts as an intermediary between the compact housing and the external environment. It provides a transition zone that maintains port accessibility while allowing the main housing to be reduced in size for fitting into smaller underground storage spaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fiber optic multiport (210) includes a housing (212), a multi-fiber connector (214) coupled to the housing, a plurality of optical fibers (216), extensions (218), and ports (220) connected to distal ends of the extensions. The housing defines an enclosure (224) and may seal off the enclosure from the environment. The plurality of optical fibers (216) are connected to and extend from the multi-fiber connector (214) into the enclosure (224). The extensions have proximal ends attached to the housing (212) and the extensions project away from the housing. The extensions support sub-sets of the plurality of optical fibers, and the extensions are flexible such that the extensions may bend independently of one another.