Optical Fiber Connector With Single-Ring Multi-Cable Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connectors in high-density interconnect panels face challenges in reducing size, improving ease of deployment, and enhancing modifiability while maintaining backward compatibility with existing data center equipment.
Innovation Solution
A multifiber ferrule and a single crimp ring configuration for optical fiber connectors that allow multiple optical fiber cables to be terminated through a single back post, enabling side-loading and secure attachment, thereby reducing the footprint and facilitating easy deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple optical fiber cables are terminated using individual connectors, then each connector can be properly assembled and secured, but the device footprint increases and deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual connector functions into a single integrated connector housing that can terminate multiple optical fiber cables simultaneously. The housing includes a single crimp ring that secures multiple strength members to a common back post, eliminating the need for multiple separate connectors and reducing overall footprint while maintaining proper termination for each cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate and terminate multiple different optical fiber cables through a single back post. The crimp ring and back post configuration allows the same housing structure to handle various cable types and fiber counts, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate specialized connectors for each cable.
2Ease of operation
If a single crimp ring is used to secure multiple strength members, then assembly is simplified and deployment is easier, but the structural complexity of the crimping mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crimp ring is designed as a single integrated component that combines the functions of multiple individual crimping operations into one action. By securing all strength members to the back post through a single crimp ring, the assembly process is simplified to one unified operation rather than multiple separate crimping steps, reducing assembly complexity despite the enhanced structural design of the ring itself.
3Productivity
If multiple connectors are installed in a data center panel, then sufficient fiber connections are provided, but floor space consumption increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate connector installations into a single multi-cable connector unit that provides the same connection density. By consolidating multiple cable terminations into one housing with a shared back post and crimp ring, the solution achieves high connection density while occupying significantly less floor space in data center panels compared to traditional individual connector installations.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector can terminate a plurality of optical fiber cables, each with a jacket encasing at least one optical fiber and a strength element. A connector housing has a back post. The optical fibers of the plurality of optical fiber cables extend into the connector housing through the back post. A single crimp ring crimps the strength members of the plurality of optical fiber cables onto the back post. In a method of terminating a plurality of optical fiber cables, the cables are inserted through a single crimp ring, optical fibers of each of the cables are terminated in a multifiber ferrule, the cables are loaded into a back body of a connector housing, and strength members of the cables are crimped onto a back post using a single crimp ring.