Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Retention Component for Universal Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic connectors face challenges in adapting to different fiber optic cable designs due to variations in cross-sectional shapes, dimensions, and materials, making it difficult to securely terminate cables during installation and use, especially when customers want to use a specific connector with a different cable design.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cable assembly comprising a retention component and retention body with an insertion end and passage, allowing for secure attachment to the cable jacket, enabling quick, easy, and cost-effective termination of various cable designs by modifying the retention components and passage to accommodate different types and sizes, and allowing for deformation of the cable jacket for robust strain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fiber optic connector is designed for a specific fiber optic cable design, then the termination is secure and reliable, but the connector cannot be adapted to other fiber optic cable designs with different cross-sectional shapes, dimensions, or materials
Solution Approach 1:
The retention body is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple fiber optic cable designs. The retention component features a retention portion that can be deformed to match different cable cross-sectional shapes, and a connector interface portion that maintains consistent connector compatibility. This allows a single retention body design to serve multiple cable types while ensuring reliable termination for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention component incorporates a deformable retention portion that can dynamically adapt its shape during installation. The retention portion is designed to be deformable under compression forces applied during the termination process, allowing it to conform to the specific cross-sectional shape of the fiber optic cable being terminated, thereby ensuring reliable mechanical attachment across different cable designs.
2Reliability
If the retention component is made robust to withstand pulling and side-load forces, then the termination reliability is improved, but the termination process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retention component is pre-configured with a retention portion and a connector interface portion in specific geometric relationships before installation. The retention portion is pre-formed to be deformable and positioned to engage the cable jacket, while the connector interface portion is pre-positioned to receive the connector. This preliminary configuration allows the installer to simply apply compression force to crimp the retention component, achieving both robust mechanical attachment and connector retention in a single quick action without complex multi-step processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the retention component is designed to accommodate different cable designs, then the adaptability is improved, but the structural complexity of the retention body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention component is segmented into two distinct functional portions: a retention portion for engaging the fiber optic cable and a connector interface portion for receiving the connector. The retention portion is designed to be deformable to accommodate different cable cross-sectional shapes, while the connector interface portion maintains a standardized geometry for connector compatibility. This segmentation allows the retention body to handle cable variability through the deformable retention portion without increasing the complexity of the overall structure or the connector interface.
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 provides a flexible and robust method for terminating fiber optic cables of various designs, ensuring secure attachment and strain relief, while allowing for quick and cost-effective adaptation to different cable types and connector styles, enhancing the usability and reliability of fiber optic connections.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one retention component deforms the cable jacket where attached
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cable assembly for terminating a fiber optic cable along with a method for making the same are disclosed. The fiber optic cable assembly comprises a fiber optic cable having at least one optical waveguide and a jacket, at least one retention component, and a retention body. The retention component is attached to a portion of the jacket of the fiber optic cable to form a retention component sub-assembly. The retention body has an insertion end and a passage extending at least partially along a length of the retention body. The retention component sub-assembly is inserted into the passage so that the at least one retention component is secured to the retention body to complete the fiber optic cable assembly.