Splice Enclosure Arrangement for Fiber Optic Cable Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables longer than 18 feet pose challenges in exposing terminal segments for connectorization due to friction within the cable, making it difficult to slide out optical fibers for connector installation.
Innovation Solution
A technique involving splicing a shorter second fiber optic cable segment to a longer first segment, allowing optical fibers to be slid out for connectorization, and then reinserting them for secure coupling within a splice enclosure for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If fiber optic cable length is increased to extend network coverage, then service area is improved, but fiber extraction difficulty increases due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into a first cable segment (longer portion) and a second cable segment (shorter portion). The second cable segment is specifically designed to be short enough to allow fiber extraction while the first cable segment provides the necessary length for network coverage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the function of extending coverage from the function of enabling fiber extraction.
2Ease of operation
If excess fiber length is extended beyond cable jacket for connector installation, then connectorization ease is improved, but fiber retention difficulty increases due to cable friction
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into two portions where the second cable segment provides the excess fiber length needed for connector installation while the first cable segment maintains fiber retention. The splice connection joins these segments, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve both fiber extraction ease and fiber retention stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice connection acts as an intermediary element that joins the first and second cable segments. It enables the second segment to provide excess fiber for connectorization while the first segment maintains the fiber within the cable structure, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of fiber extraction and fiber retention.
3Ease of operation
If shorter cable segment is spliced to longer segment for fiber extraction, then fiber exposure is improved, but splice protection requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splice enclosure serves multiple functions: it protects the splice connection, provides strain relief for the fibers, and maintains the structural integrity of the cable assembly. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving the necessary fiber exposure and protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber cable includes a first cable segment; a second cable segment; and a splice enclosure. The first cable segment can have a different configuration than the second cable segment. The splice enclosure is coupled to the strength member and strength component of the first cable segment and the second cable segment. One example splice enclosure includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member. The strength component can be glued to one end of the splice enclosure and the strength member can be clamped or otherwise retained by another end of the splice enclosure.