Heat-Shrink Furcation Tubes for High-Density Fiber Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic cable assemblies face challenges in reducing the cross-dimensional width at the furcation end due to the size of connection interfaces and furcation tubes, which limits their installation in space-constrained pathways.
Innovation Solution
The use of transformable furcation tubes made from heat shrink material that can change from an expanded to a contracted configuration, allowing for a high packing density of optical fibers and minimizing the cross-sectional width of the cable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional rigid furcation tubes are used, then the structural stability is maintained, but the cross-dimensional width of the cable assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using transformable furcation tubes that can change their configuration from expanded to contracted states. The tubes are designed to be flexible yet maintain structural integrity, allowing them to dynamically adjust their diameter to minimize the cross-dimensional width of the cable assembly while maintaining stability during installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the furcation tubes through thermal expansion and contraction. The tubes are made from heat shrink material that changes its diameter in response to temperature variations, enabling the cable assembly to achieve a compact configuration with reduced cross-dimensional width while maintaining structural stability when needed.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of optical fibers is increased, then the bandwidth capacity is improved, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by arranging multiple optical fibers and ribbons within the transformable furcation tubes in a compact, space-efficient manner. The tubes can be contracted to accommodate high fiber counts while minimizing the overall space requirement, allowing numerous fibers to be nested within a small cross-sectional area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dimensionality change by transitioning the furcation tubes between expanded and contracted configurations. This dimensional transformation allows the cable assembly to pack a high number of optical fibers into a compact space during the contracted state, effectively increasing fiber density without permanently increasing the space requirement.
3Volume of moving object
If transformable furcation tubes are used, then the cross-dimensional width is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses manufacturing complexity by utilizing heat shrink material that can be processed through well-established thermal contraction techniques. The transformable furcation tubes are manufactured in an expanded state for ease of assembly, then thermally contracted to their final compact configuration, leveraging existing manufacturing processes to minimize complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining heat shrink material with structural reinforcement elements. This composite construction allows the furcation tubes to achieve both the transformable property for width reduction and the necessary structural integrity, while the materials themselves are designed to be compatible with standard manufacturing techniques.
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
This approach enables the use of a smaller pulling grip, facilitating the installation of fiber optic cable assemblies in fixed-size pathways by reducing the cross-dimensional width and accommodating increased fiber densities.
Implementation Method 1
transformable furcation tubes made from heat shrink material that can change from an expanded to a contracted configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cable assembly having a reduced cross-dimensional width includes a fiber optic cable carrying a plurality of optical fibers and having a furcation formed at an end thereof. The furcation includes a furcation housing and a plurality of furcation tubes extending from the furcation housing. Each of the plurality of furcation tubes is configured to receive a number of the plurality of optical fibers. The furcation further includes at least one connection interface terminating the optical fibers received in each of the plurality of furcation tubes. At least one of the furcation tubes has a diameter substantially equal to a theoretical minimum diameter corresponding to the number and size of the optical fibers received therein, and may be formed from a heat shrink material. A method of making such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.