Two-Piece Spring Push for Large Fiber Optic Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard components for terminating large outer diameter fiber optic cables with MT ferrules, such as the spring push, require a two-piece design to accommodate the cable diameter, necessitating quick assembly and robustness to withstand field forces while ensuring secure attachment and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece spring push design featuring a main body and cap that frictionally connect, with projections and openings for secure alignment and retention, allowing for assembly over terminated optical fibers and enhanced structural integrity through crimp band and strain-relief boot application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-piece spring push is used, then the assembly process is simpler, but it cannot accommodate large outer diameter fiber optic cables and requires disassembly of the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The spring push is divided into two separate pieces: a main body portion and a cap portion. The main body can be assembled into the connector first, followed by the cap portion. This segmentation allows the spring push to be installed on large diameter cables without requiring disassembly of the connector, as each piece can be independently positioned and secured.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a two-piece spring push is used, then compatibility with large diameter cables is achieved, but the assembly requires additional alignment and securing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The cap portion includes asymmetric alignment features such as a protrusion that fits into a corresponding recess in the main body, and a keyway that aligns with a key in the main body. These asymmetric features ensure proper orientation and simplify the assembly process by providing natural alignment cues, reducing the complexity of securing the two pieces together.
3Ease of repair
If a two-piece spring push is used, then field application is enabled, but the connection between pieces must be robust enough to withstand field forces
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features (protrusion and recess) and retention features (keyway and key) are merged into a single integrated connection system. This combination ensures that the cap portion is both properly aligned and securely retained to the main body, creating a robust connection that can withstand field forces while maintaining the ability to be assembled and disassembled in the field.
4Ease of operation
If the spring push is made larger to pass over large diameter cables, then assembly is enabled, but the final component size is unnecessarily large
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the spring push into two pieces, the outer diameter of each individual piece can be optimized. The main body and cap portion can each have a smaller diameter than a single-piece design would require to pass over the cable, yet when assembled together they form the complete functional component. This allows the spring push to be assembled over the cable without requiring an unnecessarily large overall size.
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
The two-piece spring push design enables rapid and secure attachment to fiber optic connectors, ensuring robustness and reliability under field forces while maintaining alignment and structural integrity, meeting standards like FOCIS 5 and IEC-61754-7.
Implementation Method 1
The cap and main body are secured to one another only by friction caused by mating the main body and cap
Data Source
AI summary
A two-piece spring push includes a main body portion and a cap. The cap is attached to the main body portion through frictional or interference fits of projections and openings in the two-piece spring push. The two-piece spring push allows for the use of the spring push on larger diameter optical cables as the spring push is assembled on the optical fibers after the optical fibers are terminated in an optical ferrule.