Rotating Fiber Optic Connector for Cable Feeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ninety-degree connectors for fiber optic cable harnesses are difficult to feed through due to the challenge of bending cables at a ninety-degree angle, especially with pre-terminated cables having a connector attached, making it hard to connect them to a cabinet or node.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a swiveling mechanism that allows the fiber optic cable harness to be connected in a straight position, providing an access window for easier cable feeding and a rotating design that aligns passageways to facilitate the passage of cables through the connector, reducing the need for a ninety-degree bend.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional ninety-degree connector is used, then the connector provides a fixed angled connection, but it is difficult to feed fiber optic cables through the connector due to the ninety-degree bend requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a rotatable second portion that can pivot between a first position (aligned with the first portion) and a second position (at a ninety-degree angle). This dynamic capability allows the connector to transition from a straight configuration during cable installation to an angled configuration for final use, resolving the contradiction between ease of cable feeding and the need for angled connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to be positioned in the first position during the preliminary cable feeding stage, where the passageways are aligned to facilitate easy cable insertion. After cables are successfully fed through, the connector is then rotated to the second position for operational use. This preliminary positioning action resolves the feeding difficulty while maintaining the required angled connection capability.
2Reliability
If pre-terminated cables with connectors are used, then the cables are ready for immediate connection, but they are particularly difficult to feed through a ninety-degree connector
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable second portion allows pre-terminated cables to be easily installed by positioning the connector in the first position during installation, eliminating the difficulty of forcing cables through a fixed ninety-degree angle. The same dynamic mechanism maintains connection readiness by allowing the connector to be rotated to the second position for operational use, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the connector maintains a fixed ninety-degree position, then the connection geometry is stable, but access to the interior for cable feeding is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a static ninety-degree design to a dynamic design where the second portion can rotate. During cable feeding, the connector is positioned in the first position where the passageways are aligned, providing stable geometry for cable passage. After installation, the connector rotates to the second position to achieve the required ninety-degree connection geometry, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is temporarily positioned in the first position as a preliminary step to allow easy access to the interior and straightforward cable feeding. Once cables are installed, the connector is rotated to the second position to establish the stable ninety-degree connection geometry required for operation, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and geometric stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for connecting a cable harness having a fiber optic cable to a node that is configured to enhance feeding of the fiber optic cable through the connector, including: a first portion configured to connect to a node; and a second portion configured to connect to a cable harness having a fiber optic cable. The first and second portions may be configured to allow the fiber optic cable to pass through the first and second portions; the second portion may be configured to rotate relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position; and the second portion and the first portion may be configured to provide access to an interior of the connector from an area outside of the connector when the first and second portions are in the first position so as to enhance feeding of the fiber optic cable through the connector.