Shuttle Pluggable Optical Connector Reducing Module Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current standard optical connectors, such as duplex LC adapters, occupy significant space within networking modules and circuit packs, limiting the room for other critical components like heatsinks and mechanical components due to their large size and dual connectivity requirements.
Innovation Solution
The Shuttle Pluggable Optical Connector (SPOC) design, which includes a shuttle body with a fiber slot, a connection assembly featuring a ferrule flange fiber termination, split sleeve, and retention clip, securely aligns and connects optical fibers internally within the module, reducing the overall size and freeing up space for other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard optical connectors (duplex LC adapters) are used for optical connections, then reliable optical connectivity is achieved, but significant space within the module is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector is divided into two separate components: an external optical connector on the faceplate and an internal optical connector within the module. This segmentation allows each connector to be optimized independently, with the internal connector being significantly smaller since it only needs to mate with the external one, not provide full connectivity by itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal optical connector is designed to nest within the module housing in a compact configuration. The connector components (ferrule, sleeve, retention mechanism) are arranged in a nested or compact linear fashion along the fiber path, minimizing the volume required while maintaining functional integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard optical connectors are used with dual connectivity requirements, then both external and internal connectivity are achieved, but room for other components like heatsinks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connectivity function is segmented between external and internal connectors. The external connector handles external connectivity, while the internal connector handles internal connectivity. This segmentation allows the internal connector to be minimized in size since it only needs to provide the internal connection interface, freeing up space for heatsinks and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design optimizes the arrangement of components along the fiber axis and in the transverse plane, utilizing available space in multiple dimensions. The compact internal connector is positioned to minimize its footprint in the plane perpendicular to the fiber axis, while extending minimally along the axis, thereby preserving space in all dimensions for other components.
3Volume of stationary object
If space is reduced for optical connectors, then room for heatsinks and other components is increased, but assembly complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The internal optical connector is pre-assembled as a complete subassembly including the ferrule, sleeve, retention mechanism, and fiber termination before installation into the module. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final module assembly process, as the pre-assembled unit can be installed as a single component, reducing the complexity of assembling individual small parts in the constrained module space.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the internal optical connector subassembly: fiber termination, alignment, retention, and connection to the external connector. By combining these functions into a single integrated unit, the number of separate components and assembly steps is reduced, offsetting the benefits of compact design with simplified assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber connector of a networking module faceplate assembly includes a shuttle body, a connection assembly, and a retention clip. The shuttle body including a fiber slot extending across the shuttle body and adapted for an optical fiber to extend therethrough. The connection assembly is adapted to connect the optical fiber of the networking module to an external optical fiber connector. The connection assembly includes a ferrule flange fiber termination, a split sleeve, and a ferrule. The ferrule flange fiber termination positioned within the shuttle body and adapted to splice to an end of the optical fiber. A length of the optical fiber connector can be less than half a length of the external optical fiber connector.