Optical Cable Assembly with Exposed Fiber for Guide Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing optical fiber networks require complex and costly operations at the end user's location, including exposing the optical fiber, polishing the end face, and using large connectors that make it difficult to pass the cable assembly through cable guides, leading to increased planning and man-hours.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly with an exposed optical fiber at the free end, fixedly surrounded by a connecting element, which can be mechanically assembled after passing through the cable guide, allowing for a simple connector mounting at the end position without complex finishing operations, and incorporating a spring element for load absorption and protective elements for easier passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication connector is mounted to the free end of the communication cable before passing through the cable guide, then the connector can be securely connected, but the cable assembly becomes too large to pass through the cable guide
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into multiple components: a connecting element that fits within the cable sheath, a separate communication connector body, and intermediate components. This segmentation allows the cable with connecting element to pass through the cable guide first, after which the larger connector body is assembled at the destination, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and passage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element is nested within the cable sheath, and the communication connector body is subsequently assembled around this nested structure. This nested arrangement minimizes the external diameter during the passage phase while maintaining the complete connector structure for reliable connection at the destination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical fibre is exposed and the connector is assembled at the end user's location, then the connection can be made, but complex and costly operations including polishing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibre is pre-exposed and the connecting element is pre-installed on the cable before passing through the cable guide. This preliminary action prepares the fibre for connection while keeping the fibre exposure minimal and protected, reducing the complexity of operations needed at the end user's location compared to assembling a complete connector from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex polishing and finishing operations are extracted from the field installation process and performed during manufacturing at the factory. The cable is delivered with a pre-prepared connecting element that requires only simple assembly at the destination, removing the need for complex equipment and skilled labor at the end user's location.
3Reliability
If a complete connector is mounted to the cable end before installation, then the connection is secure, but wide cable guides and extensive planning are required
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system is segmented into a compact connecting element that fits within the cable sheath for passage, and a separate connector body that is assembled at the destination. This segmentation allows the use of narrow cable guides during installation while still achieving secure connector connection afterward, eliminating the need for wide cable guides.
4Productivity
If the cable assembly with complete connector is passed through the cable guide, then the connector is ready for use, but it is difficult to pass through the cable guide from the starting position
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is pre-installed on the cable in a compact form that fits within the cable sheath before passing through the cable guide. This preliminary preparation creates a streamlined profile that easily passes through narrow cable guides, after which the complete connector is assembled at the destination, improving both passage ease and installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of passing the complete connector through the cable guide and then connecting it, the invention inverts the sequence: the compact connecting element is passed through first, and the complete connector body is assembled at the destination. This inverted approach makes the passage operation easy while still achieving the secure connection goal.
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
Enables the passage of the cable assembly through cable guides with reduced diameter requirements, allowing for efficient installation with minimal operations at the end user's location and preventing damage to the optical fiber, while maintaining effective signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
any loads exerted on the end faces of an optical fibre end and the connecting element can be absorbed by the compression of the spring element
Implementation Method 2
propelling it along the duct by fluid drag of a gaseous medium, e.g. air
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cable assembly for communication purposes, comprising a communication cable having a first free end, which cable can be passed through a cable guide from a starting position to an end position with its front end, and a communication connector, wherein the cable is built up of at least an optical fibre, which is coaxially surrounded by at least one cable sheath, within which at least one strain relieving element is present, and wherein the communication connector can be mounted to the first end of the communication cable in communicative contact with the optical fibre. According to the invention, the cable assembly is to that end characterised in that in order to make it possible to pass the communication cable through the cable guide, the optical fibre is exposed at the free, front end of the cable, which end is fixedly surrounded by a connecting element, which can be mechanically connected to the communication connector after the communication cable has been passed through the cable guide. Thus, the communication connector can be connected in communicative contact to the optical fibre by means of a simple mechanical operation after the cable assembly has been led to the end position, whilst on the other hand no complex and costly finishing operations, such as polishing, need to be carried out at the end user's location.