Rotatable In-Line Fiber Optic Terminals for Post-Install Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cabling infrastructure requires significant labor, installation time, and costs due to misalignment and deformation memory issues in pre-engineered fiber optic cables, which are not adequately addressed by existing pre-connectorized solutions.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cable assembly with rotatable and axially movable terminal assemblies that allow for reorientation of optical interfaces relative to the cable, enabling alignment correction post-installation and reducing installation time and labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If pre-connectorized fiber optic cables are used, then installation time is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates due to deformation memory issues
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly is designed with movable components that allow dynamic adjustment of the optical interface position and orientation. The housing can be repositioned along the cable length and rotated to different angular positions, enabling alignment correction after the cable has been installed and is subject to deformation memory effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the positional parameters of the optical interface along the cable and the angular parameters of the terminal assembly. By adjusting these parameters post-installation, the alignment can be optimized to compensate for cable deformation and ensure precise optical connections.
2Device complexity
If terminal assemblies are fixed in position, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to correct alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly incorporates movable housing and rotatable components that provide adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The movement mechanisms use straightforward mechanical designs with minimal components, achieving high adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be positioned at different locations along the cable, rotated to various angular positions, and used with different fiber optic configurations. This multi-functionality provides high adaptability while using a standardized design that doesn't substantially increase complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If optical interfaces are fixed relative to the cable, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to misalignment with network equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly uses simple mechanical movement mechanisms that allow easy repositioning and rotation during installation. The housing can be moved along the cable and rotated to align with network equipment using straightforward manual operations, significantly improving ease of operation without complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is pre-manufactured with the terminal assembly in a default position, making manufacturing simple. However, the terminal assembly is designed to be easily repositioned and reoriented during installation to correct any alignment issues, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cable assembly including a fiber optic cable carrying a plurality of optical fibers. A terminal assembly is coupled to the fiber optic cable along a length of the cable and is where a subset of the optical fibers terminate. The terminal assembly includes a fiber optic adapter optically connected to the subset of the optical fibers. The fiber optic adapter is rotatable about an axis of the fiber optic cable between two or more positions. A portion the terminal assembly is axially movable along a length of the fiber optic cable from a locked position in which the fiber optic adapter is not rotatable about the axis to an unlocked position in which the fiber optic adapter is rotatable about the axis. A method of making and installing such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.