Optical Fiber Distribution System with Spool Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for distributing optical fibers from a riser cable to multiple drop cables lack simplicity and scalability in FTTH applications, failing to efficiently connect and manage the optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a first furcation area with a fiber optic adapter to create a tether cable, which is wound onto a spool device and further separated into individual optical fibers using a second furcation area, each connected to a splice storage device for connection to drop cables, allowing for scalable and efficient distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a system for distributing optical fibers from a riser cable to multiple drop cables is designed, then the connection efficiency and organization of optical fibers is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple furcation areas, spool devices, and splice storage devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a first furcation area for initial fiber separation, a spool device for cable management, a second furcation area for further separation, and individual splice storage devices for each drop cable. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by winding the tether cable onto a spool device, transforming a linear cable management problem into a three-dimensional solution. This allows excess cable length to be stored compactly while maintaining the minimum permissible bending radius, effectively adding a rotational dimension to the distribution system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to be scalable to accommodate increasing numbers of drop cables, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal components that can serve multiple functions: the spool device manages both cable storage and bending radius compliance, the furcation areas handle both initial and secondary fiber separation, and the splice storage devices provide standardized connection points for any number of drop cables. This universality enables easy scaling without requiring fundamentally different system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with dynamic scalability, allowing the number of splice storage devices and corresponding drop cables to be increased or decreased based on demand. The modular nature of the splice storage devices enables the system to adapt its capacity dynamically without compromising the core distribution functionality.
3Reliability
If excess lengths of the tether cable are stored on a spool device while complying with the minimum permissible bending radius, then the cable management and protection are improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spool device utilizes a curved, circular geometry to store the tether cable, ensuring that the cable always maintains its minimum permissible bending radius. The circular path of the spool naturally enforces the bending radius constraint, protecting the optical fibers from damage while providing compact cable storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool device employs a flexible winding mechanism that allows the tether cable to be wound and unwound smoothly while maintaining proper curvature. The flexible nature of the spool structure enables it to accommodate cable movement and tension changes without compromising the bending radius protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for distribution of optical fibers, specifically for furcation of optical fibers of a first fiber optic cable, in particular of a riser cable (10), which comprises a plurality of optical fibers, to a plurality of second fiber optic cables, in particular to a plurality of drop cables (11), each comprising a single optical fiber, having a first furcation area, which is associated with the first fiber optic cable, in order to tap off a subset of the optical fibers of the first fiber optic cable in the form of a tether cable (13), whereby the tether cable (13) can be supplied to a spool device (14) in order to store any excess length of the tether cable (13) while complying with the minimum permissible bending radius of the optical fibers, and having a second furcation area, which is associated with the spool device (14), in order to separate the optical fibers of the tether cable (13), whereby the separated optical fibers of the tether cable (13) can each be supplied to an individual splice storage device (17), whereby in each individual splice storage device (17) one spliced joint between a separated optical fiber of the tether cable (13) and an optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable can be placed. (Figure 1)