Fiber Transition Housing with Removable Bulkhead Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber transition housings lack the ability to simultaneously accommodate different connectorization applications, such as adapterized fiber cables, fusion splices, and mechanical splices, making them inefficient for high-bandwidth optical connections.
Innovation Solution
The enclosure design includes a backplate with a removable bulkhead bracket that houses adapters for connectorized applications and splice retention clips for fusion and mechanical splices, allowing for simultaneous accommodation of various connectorization methods and easy access for insertion or removal of splices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the enclosure is designed to accommodate only adapters for connectorized fiber cables, then the adapter connection function is simple and reliable, but the enclosure cannot simultaneously accommodate fusion splices and mechanical splices, reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is designed with multiple functional zones: an adapter housing region for connectorized applications, and a splice retention region with clips for fusion and mechanical splices. The backplate integrates both adapter mounting capabilities and splice retention features, allowing a single enclosure to serve multiple connectorization purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure interior is segmented into distinct functional areas: adapters are housed in specific regions with appropriate mounting structures, while splices are retained in separate zones using retention clips. This segmentation allows each component type to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall enclosure versatility.
2Ease of operation
If the bulkhead bracket is fixed to the backplate, then the adapter housing is stable and secure, but access to splice retention clips is difficult, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead bracket is designed with a hinge connection to the backplate, transforming it from a fixed static structure to a dynamic, movable component. This allows the bracket to be rotated between a closed position (providing structural stability) and an open position (providing access to splice retention clips), combining both stability and ease of operation requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the enclosure accommodates both adapters and splices in separate regions, then simultaneous support for different connectorization applications is achieved, but the overall enclosure size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splice retention clips are integrated into the bulkhead bracket structure itself, with clips positioned within or alongside the adapter housing region. This nesting approach allows splice retention functionality to be embedded within the existing adapter housing space, accommodating both adapters and splices without proportionally increasing enclosure size.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure configured to simultaneously accommodate different connectorization applications includes a backplate and a bulkhead bracket and splice retention clips coupled to the backplate. The bulkhead bracket includes openings configured to house adapters for a first connecterized application. The splice retention clips are configured to accommodate one or more of a fusion splice protector and a mechanical splice for a second connecterized application. The bulkhead bracket, with or without an adapter, is configured to be uncoupled from the backplate to allow access to the splice retention clips for insertion or deletion of the fusion splice protector or the mechanical splice. The bulkhead bracket is configured to be recoupled with the backplate and over the splice retention clips.