Furcation Body With Attachment Grooves For Drop Cable Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic cable furcation processes are cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly when transitioning from large, rigid outdoor-rated drop cables to smaller unprotected tubes, as existing products provide inadequate protection and are not robust enough, requiring improved furcation assemblies and methods.
Innovation Solution
A furcation body with a channel and attachment grooves that can be quickly and easily secured to fiber optic cables without tools or adhesives, accommodating various cable sizes and constructions, and optionally crimped or adhesive-attached for robustness, featuring a passageway for furcation tubes to protect optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional furcation products are used to transition from large rigid drop cables to small tubes, then fiber optic cable furcation can be achieved, but the assembly is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The furcation body integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides cable attachment via attachment grooves, houses the furcation tube within its channel, and protects fibers during transition. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate protective elements and simplifies the assembly process, enabling quick installation without tools or adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
The furcation body is designed with distinct functional sections: a front section with attachment grooves for securing to the drop cable, a channel forming a passageway for fiber routing, and a back section sized for receiving the furcation tube. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall assembly simplicity.
2Reliability
If traditional furcation products are used, then cable furcation can be performed, but the transition from drop cable to tube is not robust and provides inadequate protection
Solution Approach 1:
The furcation body provides pre-established mechanical protection through its robust channel structure and attachment grooves that securely fasten to the drop cable before fiber insertion. The back section is specifically sized to receive and protect the furcation tube, ensuring protection is in place before any fiber handling occurs, preventing damage during the furcation process.
3Measurement precision
If manual routing and individual connection of each optical fiber is performed, then precise fiber connections can be achieved, but the process takes a great deal of time
Solution Approach 1:
The furcation body is pre-configured with a channel that forms a passageway extending from the front to back end, and attachment grooves are pre-formed for securing to the cable. This preliminary preparation allows fibers to be routed through the pre-established channel without requiring time-consuming manual alignment, while still achieving precise connections at the furcation tube interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Furcation bodies and furcation assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a furcation body includes a channel forming a passageway extending from the front end to a back end of the furcation body. The furcation body may accommodate different styles and/or sizes of fiber optic cables. For instance, the furcation body may be secured to either a buffer tube of a buffered drop cable or a cable jacket of an unbuffered drop cable. Additionally, assemblies may include a furcation tube secured to the furcation member back end for protecting the optical fiber extending from the furcation body and/or a fiber optic connector. Furcation assemblies having multiple fibers are also disclosed.