Flexible Fiber Organizer for Routing, Storage, and Splicing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber management systems are cumbersome and require additional structures for routing, storing, and splicing optical fibers, lacking a seamless solution for flexible and fixed fiber management.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, film-like substrate that integrates fiber routing, storage, and splicing functionalities, with adhesive retention and resilient fiber management tabs, allowing for both fixed and loose fiber handling without additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hard plastic trays with added structures are used for fiber management, then fiber routing and storage functionality is provided, but device complexity increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fiber management functions (routing, storage, splicing support) into a single flexible substrate, eliminating the need for separate hard plastic trays and added structures. The flexible substrate integrates adhesive regions for routing, fiber management structures for storage, and splice support capabilities all in one component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides adhesive regions for fixed fiber routing, contains fiber management structures for loose fiber storage, and supports splicing operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate structures are used for fiber routing, storage, and splicing, then specific functions are well-defined, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges fiber routing, storage, and splicing support into a single integrated flexible substrate, eliminating the need to handle multiple separate parts. The substrate includes adhesive regions for routing, fiber management structures for storage, and splice support areas, all in one component that can be deployed as a single unit, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrating multiple functions, the substrate is segmented into distinct functional regions (adhesive regions for routing, fiber management structures for storage, splice support areas) that can be independently used as needed. This segmentation within integration allows operators to access specific functions without dealing with multiple separate components.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed fiber routing structures are used, then fiber routing precision is improved, but adaptability for loose fiber management is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate employs local quality by providing adhesive regions for precise fixed routing where needed, while simultaneously providing non-adhesive fiber management structures for flexible loose fiber storage in other areas. This spatial differentiation of properties allows the same substrate to provide both precision routing and flexible management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate transitions from a purely fixed routing approach to a dynamic system that can accommodate both fixed adhesive bonding and flexible non-adhesive fiber management. The fiber management structures can be configured to provide constrained or unconstrained fiber storage depending on the operational requirements, enabling adaptability while maintaining routing precision.
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
Provides a compact, efficient, and flexible solution for managing optical fibers, ensuring bend radius compliance and preventing kinking, with integrated splicing and storage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible, film-like substrate includes adhesive for retaining first lengths of optical fibers along a desired fiber routing path
Implementation Method 2
The fiber management tabs can be capable of being resiliently flexed relative the main body from an at rest position to a flexed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a fiber management device or system for facilitating routing and storing optical fibers. The fiber management device includes a flexible, film-like substrate that has optical fiber management, storing functionality, and splicing functionality all on one film-like substrate. The flexible, film-like substrate can provide a routing path for routing optical fibers onto a flexible planar substrate that can be temporarily supported by, mounted on or attached to the flexible planar substrate. The flexible, film-like substrate can accommodate fibers that are in a multi-fiber (e.g., ribbon) configuration or a single fiber configuration.