SC-Type Optical Fiber Connector Sub-Assembly for Conduit Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single mode optical fibers require tighter mechanical tolerances for termination, making field termination challenging and costly, especially when pre-terminated cables cannot fit through protective conduits due to the size of SC-type connectors, leading to increased time and expense in installing optical fiber connections.
Innovation Solution
A Subscriber Connection (SC)-type optical fiber connector sub-assembly with a ferrule holder and carrier that are moveable along the ferrule axis, featuring a spring biasing mechanism and crenellations, allowing the sub-assembly to be inserted into conduits without disassembly, and minimizing radial dimensions to fit within standard conduits, with inner and outer housings providing push/pull engagement/disengagement functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If SC-type connectors are pre-terminated on single mode optical fibre cables, then field termination time is reduced, but the connector size prevents insertion through protective conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a compact sub-assembly that can be inserted through the conduit, and a larger housing assembly that is attached afterward. The sub-assembly includes the ferrule, ferrule holder, and spring mechanism, while the housing provides protection and push/pull functionality. This segmentation allows the critical termination portion to fit through conduits while maintaining full connector functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule holder is nested within the ferrule holder carrier, with the spring mechanism contained within the carrier structure. The entire sub-assembly is designed to fit within the dimensional constraints of standard protective conduits, with components arranged concentrically along the ferrule axis to minimize radial dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If the ferrule holder and carrier are made relatively moveable along the ferrule axis, then push/pull engagement is enabled, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule holder is designed to move dynamically relative to the ferrule holder carrier along the ferrule axis. A spring mechanism provides the necessary elastic force to enable push/pull engagement and disengagement. The spring is contained within the carrier structure, allowing the moving component to have the necessary degrees of freedom while maintaining a compact overall form factor.
3Volume of moving object
If radial dimensions of the sub-assembly are minimized, then insertion through conduits is enabled, but engagement feature integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement feature is designed to extend axially along the ferrule axis rather than radially outward. This dimensional reorientation allows the engagement feature to be integrated into the sub-assembly without increasing radial dimensions, enabling insertion through standard conduits while maintaining manufacturability and functionality.
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
Enables convenient and cost-effective field termination of single mode optical fibers by allowing the sub-assembly to be inserted into conduits without disassembly, facilitating the installation of optical fiber connections while maintaining reliable push/pull engagement/disengagement functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biasing means acting between the ferrule holder carrier and the ferrule holder to bias the ferrule holder along the ferrule axis in a direction away from the ferrule holder carrier
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical fibre connector, and in particular to a Subscriber Connector (SC) -type push/pull optical fibre connector and to a method of forming and using such a connector. The SC-type optical fibre connector (101) comprises an optical fibre (8), a cylindrical ferrule (14), a ferrule holder (16), a spring biasing means (17), a ferrule holder carrier (50), an inner housing (120), and an outer housing (40). The optical fibre (8) is held within the ferrule (14) along an axis (5) of the ferrule, the optical fibre (8) being terminated at an end face (34) of the ferrule. The ferrule holder and carrier are relatively moveable with respect to each other along the axis between limits defined by an interaction between the carrier and the holder. The inner housing (120) is fixedly connected to the ferrule holder carrier (50). The inner housing (120) has a receptacle for a socket to receive a projecting ferrule portion. The spring biasing means (17) is provided between the ferrule holder (16) and the ferrule holder carrier (50) so that the projecting portion of the ferrule is spring biased along the ferrule axis (5) towards the receptacle portion of the inner housing (120). The optical fibre connector sub-assembly (60) is mechanically integral prior to assembly of the inner and outer housings (120, 40) about the sub-assembly. The radially outermost surfaces of the sub-assembly (60) define a cylindrical envelope of the sub-assembly. The ferrule holder carrier (50) has a groove (78) in the envelope and the inner housing (120) has a radially inwardly projecting feature for locating with the groove when the inner housing is assembled to the optical fibre connector sub-assembly (60).