Pre-ferrulized Cable Assembly for Narrow Guide Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication cable installation techniques face difficulties in passing pre-ferrulized cable assemblies through narrow cable guides with sharp bends, leading to increased labor costs and complex finishing operations at end user locations.

Innovation Solution

A pre-ferrulized cable assembly with a suction plug and semi-finished connector is designed to pass through narrow cable guides, featuring a connecting element with a spring element and protective sleeve, allowing easy assembly of the communication connector after installation, reducing the need for complex polishing and minimizing damage to optical fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complete communication connector is mounted to the free end of the communication cable before passage, then the connector is ready for use, but the cable assembly cannot pass through narrow cable guides with sharp bends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector readinessVSAvoidpassage through cable guide

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into two parts: a semi-finished connector mounted on the cable that can pass through the cable guide, and a complementary connector that is assembled at the destination. This segmentation allows the cable assembly to pass through narrow cable guides while still achieving complete connector functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The semi-finished connector is prepared in advance and mounted on the communication cable before passage through the cable guide. This preliminary preparation enables the cable to be pushed through the guide without requiring complete connector assembly at the destination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the communication cable is passed through the cable guide from the starting position to the end position with a semi-finished connector, then the cable can pass through narrow guides, but complex finishing operations must be carried out at the end position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassage through cable guideVSAvoidfinishing operations at end position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector assembly process is segmented into preliminary mounting of the semi-finished connector (done before cable passage) and complementary connector assembly (done at destination). This reduces the complexity of operations required at the end position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The semi-finished connector is prepared and mounted in advance before cable passage, transferring most of the preparation work to the starting position and minimizing complex operations at the end position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical fiber is exposed and mounted in the connector in situ, then the connector can be assembled at the end position, but polishing and finishing operations increase labor costs and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein situ connector assemblyVSAvoidpolishing and finishing operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber is exposed and the semi-finished connector is mounted in advance before cable passage. This preliminary preparation reduces the time required for polishing and finishing operations at the end position, as the fiber is already prepared for connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a complete connector with considerable diameter is used, then the connector is functional, but wide cable guides must be installed in the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector functionalityVSAvoidcable guide diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is segmented into a compact semi-finished portion that fits within narrow cable guides and a complementary portion that provides full functionality. This allows functional connectors to be used without requiring wide cable guides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The semi-finished connector has a compact diameter suitable for narrow cable guides, while the complementary connector provides the full functionality and larger dimensions needed for complete connector operation. Each part has optimized dimensions for its specific role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient installation of communication cables with low insertion loss and high return loss, reducing installation time and labor costs, while allowing passage through tight bends and minimizing damage to optical fibers and connectors.

Implementation Method 1

a suction plug (21) attached to the semi-finished connector (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS8454244B2Method for installing a communication cable assembly

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 DRAKA COMTEQ BV

AI summary

Disclosed is a modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly that facilitates installation of an optical fiber communication cable through narrow cable guides having sharp bends. The pre-ferrulized cable assembly includes a communication cable having a free, front end, a semi-finished communication connector, and a suction plug. The invention further relates to efficient methods for installing the modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly through a cable guide.