Hybrid Cable for Optical and Electrical Port Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing approaches fail to effectively enable communicative coupling between information handling systems with optical and electrical network interfaces, limiting connectivity between systems with different network standards.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid cable assembly with electrically-conductive wires terminated at one end with an optical port for optical network ports and at the other end with an electrical connector for electrical network ports, allowing for connectivity between systems with optical and electrical interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate optical and electrical cables are used to connect information handling systems with different network interfaces, then connectivity between systems with different network standards is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity between systems with different network standardsVSAvoidcable assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines optical and electrical conductors into a single hybrid cable assembly, merging two separate connectivity solutions into one integrated cable. This allows simultaneous support for both optical and electrical network interfaces without requiring separate cables, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability between different network standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid cable assembly is designed with universal applicability by incorporating both optical and electrical conductors that can connect to different types of network interfaces. The single cable can serve multiple functions by connecting optical ports and electrical ports, making it adaptable to various information handling systems regardless of their specific network interface type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If optical transceiver modules are used in information handling systems without electrical network interfaces, then optical communication capability is achieved, but ease of operation decreases due to lack of mechanical cable release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical communication capabilityVSAvoidcable installation and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid cable assembly acts as an intermediary solution that bridges the gap between optical and electrical network interfaces. By incorporating both optical and electrical conductors in a single cable with unified connectors, it provides mechanical cable release functionality while maintaining optical communication capability, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11677471B2Hybrid cable for optic and copper port connectivity

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A cable assembly may include a cable having a plurality of electrically-conductive wires and an optical port termination at a first end of the cable for terminating the plurality of electrically-conductive wires and configured to electrically couple to an optical network port integral to an information handling system and configured to receive an optical transceiver module.