Fiber Ribbon Strain Relief Clamp for Circuit Boards
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber ribbons in electronic and communication systems are prone to failure due to bending or twisting, which compromises performance and can result in catastrophic breaks, especially in tight spaces like circuit boards where strain relief and proper routing are challenging.
Innovation Solution
A strain relief clamp with a first and second attachment portion, monolithically formed, featuring a live hinge or tether, and protrusions orthogonal to the optical fiber ribbon, allowing adjustable clamping to secure the ribbon without kinking or bending, and coupling to circuit boards or active optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the optical fiber ribbon is routed through tight spaces on circuit boards, then the system can achieve compact layout and integration, but the ribbon is prone to bending, twisting, and catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is installed beforehand at the fiber ribbon path to establish a protected routing channel before the ribbon is routed through tight spaces. This preliminary positioning prevents bending and twisting by maintaining proper spacing and alignment throughout the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary component between the fiber ribbon and the circuit board environment. It provides a mechanical interface that isolates the ribbon from harmful bending forces while maintaining compact system layout, mediating between the ribbon's flexibility needs and the board's space constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the fiber ribbon is made more flexible to navigate tortuous paths, then routing becomes easier, but the ribbon becomes more susceptible to bending beyond its limits and fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp modifies the physical parameters of the routing path by maintaining consistent spacing and preventing sharp bends. It changes the effective curvature radius and tension parameters along the ribbon path, allowing the ribbon to navigate tortuous paths without exceeding its bending limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp provides beforehand cushioning by establishing a protected path that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses before they can cause fiber damage. It cushions the ribbon against bending forces and twisting moments that would otherwise lead to catastrophic failure.
3Reliability
If strain relief is implemented to prevent fiber ribbon failure, then reliability improves, but the available space for routing becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp utilizes a thin, flexible structure that provides effective strain relief without occupying significant volume. Its slender profile and flexible materials allow it to relieve tension and prevent fiber damage while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for dense circuit board routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp redirects the fiber ribbon into a different spatial dimension or plane, allowing strain relief to be achieved vertically or laterally rather than requiring additional horizontal routing space. This dimensional transition enables compact integration while maintaining reliability.
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 clamp effectively relieves strain and prevents optical fiber ribbon failure by securely clamping the ribbon in all six degrees of freedom, ensuring reliable signal transmission without damage, even in tortuous paths, while minimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
The first surface and the second surface are moveably coupled with a live hinge or a tether
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for clamping and relieving strain in a set of optical fiber ribbon. The strain relief clamp includes a first attachment portion and second attachment portion configured to secure the strain relief clamp to a system component and a set of optical fiber ribbons to the strain relief clamp. When secured the strain relief clamp is configured to relieve strain in the set of optical fiber ribbons.