Optical to Electrical Backshell Connector for Reduced Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connectors are difficult to maintain, especially in applications where the cable is frequently connected and disconnected, due to the need for frequent inspection and cleaning, which is time-consuming and challenging, especially in systems with multiple connectors.
Innovation Solution
The novel backshell connector integrates optical receiver subassemblies with photodiodes and matching circuits within a single package, converting optical signals to electrical signals within the connector, eliminating the need for optical interfaces and reducing maintenance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical fiber connectors are used for frequent connection and disconnection, then data transmission capability is maintained, but maintenance difficulty increases due to frequent inspection and cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical interface (which requires cleaning and inspection) with an electrical interface. The backshell connector converts optical signals to electrical signals internally, allowing the external connection to be purely electrical. This substitution eliminates the need for optical connector cleaning and inspection while maintaining connection frequency adaptability.
2Productivity
If multiple optical connectors are used in a system, then data transmission capacity is increased, but time consumption for inspection and cleaning increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By converting the interface type from optical to electrical at the backshell level, the patent eliminates the need for cleaning and inspection operations entirely. This allows systems with multiple connectors to maintain high data transmission capacity without the proportional increase in maintenance time that would otherwise be required for each additional optical connector.
3Reliability
If optical interfaces are used in portable field systems, then signal transmission is achieved, but operational complexity increases due to cleaning and inspection requirements in field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optically-dependent interface with an electrical interface at the connection point. This substitution maintains signal transmission reliability while eliminating the field-operational complexity of cleaning and inspecting optical connectors, making the system much easier to operate in portable and field conditions.
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
This solution provides a reliable and efficient electrical interface, simplifying maintenance, reducing the need for optical cleaning, and allowing for easier troubleshooting and scalability, while improving system performance by integrating optics inside the cable backshell.
Implementation Method 1
a photodiode and a matching circuit integrated into a single package to reduce parasifics and improve performance
Data Source
AI summary
An optical cable backshell connector for an optical cable having a plurality of optical fibers and a protective jacket. The novel backshell connector includes a backshell housing secured to the protective jacket and a mechanism disposed within the housing for converting optical signals from the optical fibers into electrical signals. In an illustrative embodiment, the backshell includes a plurality of receiver subassemblies, each receiver subassembly adapted to receive an optical signal from one of the optical fibers and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. The backshell also includes an electrical output connector adapted to output the electrical signals to an electronics module. In a preferred embodiment, each receiver subassembly includes a photodiode and a matching circuit integrated into a single package. An optical ferrule is attached to each fiber for coupling the fiber to the receiver subassembly.