Multi-drop Closure System for Fiber Optic Splicing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Field splicing of optical fiber drop cables to main cables is time-consuming, expensive, and often results in low-quality splices due to the need for careful cable access and splicing in challenging weather conditions and locations.

Innovation Solution

A multi-drop closure system with an enclosure and ganged drop plug that allows for sealed insertion of drop cables, with optical fibers extending into a splice chamber for easy splicing, while maintaining environmental sealing and reducing the need for field access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If field splicing is performed to connect drop cables to main cables, then fiber optic network connectivity is achieved, but installation time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber optic network connectivityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention pre-assembles multiple drop cables into a ganged drop plug unit at the factory before field installation. This preliminary assembly includes organizing the cables, preparing connectors, and configuring the internal structure, so that during field installation, the entire pre-configured unit is simply inserted into the enclosure and connected to the main cable, eliminating time-consuming field splicing operations for each individual drop cable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple individual drop cables into a single integrated ganged drop plug assembly. Multiple cables that would traditionally be handled and spliced separately are merged into one unitized component with a common connector interface, allowing simultaneous connection of multiple drop cables to the main cable through a single insertion and connection operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If field splicing is performed to connect drop cables to main cables, then fiber optic network connectivity is achieved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber optic network connectivityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ganged drop plug is pre-manufactured and pre-configured in a controlled factory environment, allowing for efficient mass production and quality control. This shifts manufacturing complexity from field installation to factory production, reducing skilled labor requirements and installation costs at the deployment site while maintaining high connection quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention divides the fiber optic network into modular components: main cable, ganged drop plug with pre-organized drop cables, and enclosure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured independently, with the ganged drop plug as a standardized reusable unit that reduces overall system cost through economies of scale

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If field splicing is performed in challenging weather conditions and locations, then fiber optic network connectivity is achieved, but splice quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber optic network connectivityVSAvoidsplice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Critical precision operations such as cable preparation, fiber alignment, and connector attachment are performed in advance in a controlled factory environment where precision tools and stable conditions ensure high-quality connections. This removes precision-critical operations from the field, eliminating the impact of weather and location on splice quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ganged drop plug is designed as a self-contained unit with pre-prepared fibers and integrated alignment features that automatically ensure proper positioning during insertion. The design incorporates self-aligning mechanisms and pre-configured connection points that reduce the skill level and precision required during field installation, allowing reliable connections even by less experienced technicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If conventional splice closures are used for each drop cable, then individual cable protection is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protectionVSAvoidclosure system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention consolidates multiple individual cable management functions into a single ganged drop plug unit that houses multiple drop cables together with a unified connector interface. This merging reduces the number of separate closure components needed, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining protective functionality for all drop cables through the single integrated unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7668432B2Multi-drop closure systems and methods for fiber optic cabling

Publication Date: 2010.02.23 BISON PATENT LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Multi-drop closure systems for fiber optic cabling include an enclosure and a ganged drop plug. The enclosure defines a splice chamber therein and has a main cable access opening and a drop cable access opening into the splice chamber. The drop cable access opening is displaced from the main cable access opening. The ganged drop plug is configured to be sealingly inserted into the drop cable access opening. The ganged drop plug has a plurality of drop cables extending therefrom.