Compact Optical Connector with Flared Cable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connectors are too long and bulky for use with bend-insensitive fibers, consuming valuable space and causing excessive cable bending, especially when dealing with cables of larger diameters, which can lead to signal attenuation and equipment interference.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical connector design featuring an elongated cable retention member with a ferrule and spring, and a short cable support with a radially outward flare to limit cable bending, accommodating cables with outside diameters greater than 900 μm and ensuring the fiber remains above its minimum bend radius.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable supports and boots are used to prevent cable bending, then the connector length increases to 32-60 mm, but this consumes valuable equipment space and causes excessive cable bending near the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a compact ferrule assembly for optical coupling, a short cable support section for mechanical reinforcement, and an integrated boot structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently without requiring excessive overall length, resolving the contradiction between adequate cable support and compact connector size.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable support and boot structures are nested within or integrated with the connector housing, eliminating the need for separate external support components. The ferrule is nested within the connector body, and the cable support features an integrated boot that conforms to the connector structure. This nesting reduces the overall connector length while maintaining adequate cable bend radius control.
2Reliability
If longer cable supports and boots are provided to ensure minimum bend radius, then cable bending is controlled, but the connector length increases and interferes with equipment cabinet door closure
Solution Approach 1:
The cable support structure incorporates flexible elements and articulated joints that allow dynamic adaptation to different cable routing configurations. The boot structure can flex and conform to the connector housing, enabling the connector to maintain proper cable bend radius while accommodating various installation positions without interfering with equipment cabinet door closure.
3Length of moving object
If shortened optical connectors are used to reduce space consumption, then equipment space is optimized, but they are only suitable for cables with outside diameters of 900 μm or less and minimal handling
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates a universal cable support structure with adjustable geometry that can accommodate multiple cable types and diameters. The ferrule assembly and cable support interface are designed to accept various cable configurations, while the integrated boot provides adaptable mechanical reinforcement. This multi-functionality allows the shortened connector to maintain versatility across different cable specifications while keeping the overall length compact.
4Reliability
If robust cable supports are used for traditional fibers, then cable bending is prevented, but the connector becomes unnecessarily complex and lengthy for bend-insensitive fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates unnecessary support components that were required for traditional fibers but are not needed for bend-insensitive fibers. The cable support structure is reduced to only the essential elements needed to maintain minimum bend radius, removing redundant boots, clips, and external supports. This extraction simplifies the connector structure while maintaining adequate protection for bend-insensitive fibers.
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
The solution provides a sturdy, space-efficient optical connector that effectively limits cable bending, reducing signal attenuation and equipment interference, while allowing for flexible use with bend-insensitive fibers of varying diameters.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is provided in the retention member and urges the ferrule toward the front end of the connector housing
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector has a housing, and a retention member for retaining a cable with a fiber that has a specified minimum bend radius. A rear portion of a connector ferrule and spring are seated in the retention member, a front end of the member engages the connector housing, and the spring urges the ferrule toward the front of the connector housing. An elongated cable support has an axial passage that opens at a front end and at a back end of the support for receiving the cable, and the front end of the support is joined at the rear of the retention member. The passage in the support has a radially outward flare at the back end which acts to limit the cable from bending in the vicinity of the connector, so that the cable fiber is not strained below the specified minimum bend radius.