Hauling Grip for Optical Cables with Braided Sleeving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hauling shrouds for optical cables are bulky, expensive, and inefficient, causing pulling forces to be applied directly to optical connectors and fibers during installation, which can lead to damage and require skilled operators.

Innovation Solution

A pulling eye assembly with a cord separate from the braided sleeving allows for the application of pulling forces directly to the strength members of the optical cable, minimizing contact with connectors and fibers, and includes a braided sleeving design that shields the connection zone to prevent damage during routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hauling shroud is used to protect connectors during cable routing, then connector protection is improved, but the device becomes bulky and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector protectionVSAvoidhauling shroud structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the protection function from a bulky hauling shroud and implements it through a compact braided sleeving that shields only the critical connection zone between cord and reinforcing yarns. This selective protection approach maintains reliability while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The braided sleeving is nested within the hauling grip structure, integrating the protection function into the existing cable assembly rather than adding a separate external shroud. This nested arrangement provides connector protection while minimizing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If pulling forces are applied directly to connectors during cable routing, then routing efficiency is improved, but connector and fiber damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing efficiencyVSAvoidconnector integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cable structure into distinct functional zones: a hauling grip section for force application, a protected connection zone with braided sleeving, and a connector section. This segmentation allows pulling forces to be applied efficiently to the grip while the braided sleeving isolates the connector zone from damaging stresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The braided sleeving acts as an intermediary protective layer between the reinforcing yarns and the optical connectors. It shields the connection zone from pulling forces and mechanical damage during routing, enabling efficient cable installation without compromising connector integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If pre-connectorized optical fibers are used to simplify connections, then installation ease is improved, but vulnerability to pulling damage during routing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidfiber connector protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The braided sleeving provides beforehand cushioning protection to the pre-connectorized optical fibers during the cable routing process. By shielding the vulnerable connection zone before any damage can occur, it allows the use of convenient pre-connectorized fibers without compromising their protection against pulling forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Device complexity

If a compact hauling grip design is used to reduce bulk, then device complexity is reduced, but protection capability during routing may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehauling grip structureVSAvoidconnector shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by providing concentrated braided sleeving protection specifically at the connection zone where reinforcing yarns attach to the cord. This localized protection approach maintains overall device simplicity while ensuring critical areas receive enhanced shielding against pulling forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3485307B1Hauling grip for optical cables comprising pre-connectorized optical fibers
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 PRYSMIAN SPA
  • EP3485307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3485307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3485307B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hauling grip (10) for pre-connectorized optical cables comprises a cord (20) having a first end portion (21), a second end portion (22) opposite to the first end portion (21) and an intermediate portion (23) extending between the first end portion (21) and the second end portion (22), the first end portion (21) being designed for being connected to reinforcing yarns (102) of an optical cable (100), a braided sleeving (30) having a first portion (31) designed for enclosing at least one optical connector (200) of the optical cable (100) and a length of the optical cable, the braided sleeving (30) having a second portion (32) extending away from the first portion (31) in a direction opposite to the length of the optical cable (100), at least a length of the intermediate portion (23) of the cord (20) extending outside said braided sleeving (30), wherein the cord (20), in its intermediate portion, is connected to said second portion (32) of the braided sleeving (30).