Preconnectorized Optical Cable Assembly Strain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical cable assemblies face challenges in securing tensile elements efficiently and reliably to plug connectors, particularly under high-strain relief forces, which complicates the deployment of optical waveguides to the last mile of communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A preconnectorized optical cable assembly with a plug connector featuring a crimp housing and tensile element securing components, such as sleeves or clamps, that securely attach tensile elements like metal wires or aramid fibers to the connector, ensuring effective strain relief and high pull force resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical connectors are used to connect optical waveguides in the field, then optical connections can be made without factory polishing equipment, but the connection reliability and precision deteriorate due to lack of specialized polishing equipment and trained craftsmen
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connectors are pre-terminated and pre-polished at the factory before the cable is deployed to the field. This preliminary action ensures that the critical polishing and alignment work is completed under controlled factory conditions with specialized equipment, while field installation only requires simple connector mating operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If tensile elements are embedded in the cable jacket, then the cable structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but accessing and strain-relieving the tensile elements becomes challenging when terminating the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The tensile elements are extracted from the cable jacket at the termination point, allowing them to be accessed and secured to the connector assembly. This extraction enables field technicians to properly strain-relieve the tensile elements without requiring complex disassembly of the cable structure.
3Strength
If higher strain-relief forces are required for cable assemblies, then the cable can withstand greater pull forces, but strain-relieving the cable to the connector becomes more challenging and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief function is merged with the connector assembly itself. The connector housing incorporates integrated strain relief features that work together with the tensile element securing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex strain relief components and simplifying the overall assembly process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A preconnectorized optical cable assembly (1000) comprises an optical cable (100) comprising an optical transmission element (110) comprising at least one optical waveguide (111), and a plurality of tensile elements (120) being embedded in a cable jacket (130). The cable assembly (1000) comprises at least one plug connector (200) being attached to an end section (101) of the cable (100). According to a first embodiment of the cable assembly (1000), the plurality of tensile elements (120) is secured between a crimp housing (220) and a crimp band (230) of the plug connector (200). According to a second embodiment of the cable assembly (1000), the cable assembly (1000) may comprise at least one tensile element securing component (250) in which the plurality of tensile elements (120) is attached. The crimp housing (220) comprises at least one groove (226) for receiving the at least one tensile element securing component (250).