Optical Cable Connector With Protective Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunication service providers face high maintenance costs and environmental exposure issues with outdoor network interface devices (NIDs) and optical network terminals (ONTs) due to harsh weather conditions, and customers may damage optical fiber connectors when attempting to connect them, leading to service disruptions and increased costs for both parties.

Innovation Solution

A protective insert for interconnecting optical fibers with a removable attachment mechanism and a protective cover, allowing customers to safely connect optical fibers without damaging them, and optionally including a signaling mechanism to indicate connection status, thus shifting maintenance responsibilities to the customer and reducing service provider intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If NID and ONT are installed outside customer premises to enable fiber optic connectivity, then service coverage and connectivity are improved, but maintenance costs and environmental exposure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidenvironmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the network interface into two segments: a weather-resistant NID installed outside customer premises for connectivity, and a protective insert with ONT installed inside the customer's protected environment. This segmentation allows the NID to provide service coverage while the ONT remains protected from environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective insert acts as an intermediary component between the outdoor NID and the indoor ONT. It includes a protective cover that shields the ONT from environmental exposure while maintaining optical connectivity through the insert's optical interface, effectively mediating between the need for outdoor installation and the need for indoor protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If customers connect optical fibers themselves to save maintenance costs, then service disruption is reduced, but risk of damaging optical fiber connectors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidconnector integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective insert is designed to enable customers to perform self-service connection of optical fibers without requiring skilled technicians. The insert includes user-friendly attachment mechanisms and protective features that allow customers to safely connect and disconnect optical fibers themselves, reducing maintenance costs and service disruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The protective insert includes a protective cover and cushioning elements that shield the optical fiber connectors from damage during customer connection operations. This beforehand protection prevents accidental damage to expensive optical components while customers perform the connection themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Extent of automation

If NID is installed outside customer premises as service provider property, then service provider control is maintained, but responsibility for maintenance and environmental control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider controlVSAvoidmaintenance responsibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments maintenance responsibility by installing the NID outside customer premises (service provider controlled) while placing the ONT inside the customer's premises (customer responsible). The protective insert facilitates this segmentation by providing a protected environment for the ONT, allowing clear division of maintenance responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective insert is designed as a relatively simple, replaceable component that can be easily installed and removed. If damage occurs or needs replacement, it can be quickly swapped without requiring complex field operations, making it an economically viable solution for transferring maintenance responsibility to customers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS9052488B2Optical cable connector

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for interconnecting two optical fibers using a protective insert, wherein the protective insert includes a connective segment that provides optical communication connection between the two optical fibers. Furthermore the protective insert includes two attachment mechanisms adjacent to the connective segment with each of the two attachment mechanisms adapted to removably attach one of the two optical fibers to the connective segment. Such a protective insert may be implemented inside a network interface device (NID) or with a wall-plate to be installed inside customer premises in a manner that allows a customer to easily interconnect a home network cable to an optical network terminal.