Multi-port Optical Terminal Assembly with External Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-port splitter boxes used in fiber optic networks become too large for installation in field settings due to the need to house input optical fibers, output optical fibers, and optical splitters within the enclosure, making them unsuitable for passage through narrow ducts and underground installations.
Innovation Solution
The multi-port optical connection terminal assembly design includes an enclosure with an internal cavity, an input orifice, and optical connection nodes, where at least a portion of the optical splitter's body is disposed outside the enclosure, allowing the input optical fiber to be outside and the output optical fibers to be inside, reducing the overall size and enabling easier installation through narrow passageways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical splitter and all optical fibers are housed inside the enclosure, then the optical connection terminal assembly maintains complete functionality, but the enclosure size becomes too large for field installation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connection terminal assembly is divided into two functional segments: the optical splitter and its input/output fibers remain outside the enclosure, while only the output fibers and connection nodes are housed inside. This segmentation allows the enclosure to be significantly smaller while maintaining complete optical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical splitter and its associated fibers are extracted from the enclosure and positioned externally. This extraction reduces the internal volume requirements of the enclosure, enabling it to pass through narrow ducts and passageways for field installation while preserving the splitting function through external mounting.
2Ease of operation
If the enclosure size is reduced for easier installation, then installation ease improves, but the complexity of housing all optical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into external optical splitter and internal connection nodes, the design simplifies the enclosure's internal arrangement requirements. The enclosure only needs to accommodate output fibers and connection nodes, not the entire optical path, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining ease of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Extracting the optical splitter from the enclosure eliminates the need for complex internal mounting structures. The external mounting provides a simple, straightforward installation process where the enclosure only needs to house the output components, significantly easing installation while reducing overall device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the optical splitter body is placed outside the enclosure, then the enclosure size is reduced, but the mechanical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A furcation structure serves as an intermediary component that mechanically connects the external optical splitter to the internal connection nodes. This intermediary simplifies the mechanical connection by providing a dedicated interface structure, reducing the complexity of direct connections while enabling the compact enclosure design.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-port optical connection terminal assemblies, related terminals and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a multi-port optical connection terminal assembly may include an enclosure including an internal cavity, an input orifice, and optical connection nodes. The multi-port optical connection terminal assembly may also include an optical splitter comprising a body, an input optical fiber, and output optical fibers. At least a portion of the body of the optical splitter may be disposed outside the internal cavity of the enclosure. The input optical fiber of the optical splitter may be disposed outside the internal cavity of the enclosure, and the plurality of the output optical fibers of the optical splitter may be disposed inside the internal cavity. In this manner, the enclosure of the multi-port optical connection terminal assembly is not required to be sized to completely contain the optical splitter.