Optical Fiber Coupling Device With Offset Stacked Patch Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fibre coupling devices face challenges in managing and maintaining high-density connections due to closely co-located connectors, leading to physical difficulties and increased risk of fatigue or failure, especially in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
The optical fibre coupling device employs stacked patch strips with offset connectors in two transverse directions, providing improved access and visibility, along with sloped faces and a removable parking strip, to facilitate easy connection and maintenance without disturbing adjacent connectors, and includes a securing mechanism to prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If optical fibre connectors are arranged in high-density configuration to manage increasing number of connections, then the number of connections that can be managed increases, but the accessibility and visibility of individual connectors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of connectors to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple patch strips are stacked vertically, with connectors arranged in offset patterns across different heights. This dimensional transition allows high connector density while maintaining accessibility, as connectors on different vertical levels can be accessed independently without interfering with adjacent connectors in the same horizontal plane.
2Area of stationary object
If optical fibre connectors are placed in close proximity to maximize space utilization, then space efficiency improves, but the risk of disruption or damage to adjacent connectors during maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector array is segmented into multiple independent patch strips stacked vertically. Each patch strip contains a subset of connectors that can be accessed and maintained independently. This segmentation isolates maintenance operations to specific vertical sections, preventing disruption to connectors on other levels, while still achieving high space utilization through the compact stacked arrangement.
3Area of stationary object
If connectors are arranged in a compact stacked configuration, then device footprint is reduced, but visibility and identification of individual connectors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each patch strip is designed with locally optimized connector positioning and spacing. The offset arrangement ensures that connectors on adjacent strips are horizontally displaced, creating local clearances that improve visibility. Additionally, the vertical stacking with offset patterns creates natural viewing angles that expose individual connectors, enhancing identification while maintaining a compact overall footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber coupling device and a method are disclosed. The optical fiber coupling device includes a first patch strip having a first plurality of optical fiber connectors arranged along a face of the first patch strip and a second patch strip having a second plurality of optical fiber connectors arranged along a face of the second patch strip. The first and second patch strips are in a stacked arrangement where the second plurality of optical fiber connectors is offset from the first plurality of optical fiber connectors in a first and a second direction transverse to a stacking direction. The offsetting improves access to the individual optical fiber connectors which assists an operative when managing or maintaining optical fiber connections and helps to reduce the likelihood of fatigue or failure since adjacent optical fiber connections are undisturbed during this process and the optical fiber connections may be easily accessed without needing to move or manipulate adjacent patch strips.