Fibre-Optic Adapter Sleeve for Sealed Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber optic adapters can only securely connect fiber optic cables with different types of connectors and lack protection against environmental influences for cables with the same type of connector, limiting their application and exposure to moisture.

Innovation Solution

A fiber optic connection arrangement featuring a dual-section adapter with distinct external and internal sections, utilizing external and internal threads for secure alignment and sealing, allowing connection of cables with the same type of connectors while maintaining protection against environmental influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fiber optic adapter is designed with different connection devices for external and internal cables, then it can securely connect cables with different connector types, but it cannot securely connect two cables with the same connector type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to connect different connector typesVSAvoidsecurity of connection for same-type connectors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into an outer section with a first connection device for external cables and an inner section with a second connection device for internal cables. The outer section can be detached to expose the inner section, allowing the same adapter to securely connect two internal cables with identical connector types by using only the inner connection devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the second connection device is arranged in an inner area not exposed to environmental influences, then internal cables are protected from moisture, but the adapter cannot provide sealed protection for external cable connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from moistureVSAvoidsealed connection for external cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is segmented into an outer section and an inner section that can be detached from each other. The outer section includes sealing means that can be engaged to provide a sealed connection for external cables, while the inner section provides protection for internal cables. This segmentation allows the adapter to provide sealed protection for external cable connections when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sealing means are added to the first connection device for external cables, then moisture protection is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidstructure of connection devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer section is designed with multi-functionality: it provides mechanical connection for external cables, incorporates sealing means for moisture protection, and includes attachment means for detaching from the inner section. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2676160B1Fibre-optic connecting arrangement and adapter sleeve
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2676160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2676160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2676160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fibre-optic connecting arrangement (21) which comprises a fibre-optic adapter (2), wherein the fibre-optic adapter (2) has a first connection device (38) for a first connection plug (11) and a second connection device (6) for a second connection plug (17), wherein the first and the second connection device (38, 6) are different, wherein the fibre-optic adapter (2) has at least a first adapter-side fastening means, wherein the first adapter-side fastening means is in the form of an external thread (8) with a first adapter-side nominal diameter, wherein the connecting arrangement (21) also comprises an adapter sleeve (26), wherein the adapter sleeve (26) has a first end section (27) with a first opening (28) and a second end section (29) with a second opening (30), wherein the first end section (27) has a first sleeve-like fastening means, wherein the first sleeve-like fastening means is in the form of a first internal thread (36), wherein the first internal thread (36) has a first sleeve-side nominal diameter, wherein the first sleeve-side nominal diameter corresponds to the first adapter-side nominal diameter, wherein the adapter sleeve (26) is screwed onto the adapter-side external thread (8) in such a way that at least the second connection device (6) is arranged in an internal volume (47) of the adapter sleeve (26), and to an adapter sleeve (26).