Indexed Cable Arrangement for Fiber Enclosure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber optic enclosures face challenges in managing varying lengths of subscriber cables effectively, requiring a solution that can index optical lines between multi-fiber connectors while ensuring environmental sealing and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A cable arrangement with indexed optical lines between ruggedized and non-ruggedized multi-fiber connectors, where the dropped optical line is optically coupled to a splitter arrangement, and the second multi-fiber connector is either external or sealed within the enclosure, allowing for re-enterable access and environmental sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second multi-fiber connector is sealed within the enclosure, then environmental sealing is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sealingVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is designed with a removable cover that allows the second multi-fiber connector to be sealed within the enclosure for environmental protection while enabling easy access when needed. The cover can be removed to expose the connector for installation or maintenance, then replaced to restore sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic accessible state through the removable cover mechanism. This allows the system to adapt between maintaining environmental sealing and providing connector accessibility based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If optical lines are indexed between multi-fiber connectors with varying cable lengths, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable length managementVSAvoidconnector indexing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical cable system is segmented into multiple indexed positions within the enclosure, allowing different cable lengths to be accommodated by distributing optical lines across multiple connector positions. This segmentation enables flexible cable management without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-fiber connectors are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide environmental sealing, enable optical signal transmission, and facilitate cable length adaptation through indexing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11579392B2Indexing cable arrangement and enclosure for use therewith

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

An indexed cable arrangement can be installed in a re-enterable housing. The optical fibers of the cable are indexed between a first; ruggedized multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector. The second multi-fiber connector may be non-ruggedized and disposed within the housing (e.g., at an adapter) or ruggedized and disposed external of the housing (e.g., terminating a stub cable). One or more drop lines are terminated by respective non-ruggedized, single-fiber connectors disposed within the housing. In certain examples, drop lines may be split into multiple connectorized single-fiber outputs.