Patent Application
20120093467
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fiber optic connectors and more particularly to an optimized fiber optic connector used where greater density of connection is desired.
2. Description of Background
Optical fibers have become the preferred medium for data processing in telecommunication and networking industries for a number of reasons. For one, fibers are flexible and can be bundled as cables. In addition, use of fiber optics is especially advantageous when utilized for long distance communication and related applications since fibers permit data transmission over longer distances at higher bandwidths and data rates. Use of optical fibers over metal wires is preferable because optical fibers enable signals to travel along them with little loss and with minimal electromagnetic interference. For short distance applications, use of fiber optic cabling leads to more efficient use of office footprint because a single fiber can often carry much more data than many electrical cables.
An optical fiber is often a cylindrical shaped dielectric waveguide that transmits light along its axis through total internal reflection. The fiber consists of a core that is surrounded by a cladding layer, both of which are made from dielectric materials. The core carries the light pulses which the cladding allows for the reflecting of the light pulses back in to the core. The core and the cladding are then often protected by a layer of buffer coating to protect them from moisture or other forms of damages. The ends of the fibers must be carefully cleaved and then spliced together either mechanically or by fusing them together such as with an electric arc. Consequently, due to the structure of a fiber optic cable making fiber connections more complex than electrical wire or cable connections and often even require special connectors to enable removable connections.
In addition to the complexity of connections, density of required connections pose another challenge in the use of fiber optic connections. The popular use of fiber optic cables and the need for specialized connectors have led in recent years to overcrowding in connection areas. The advent of technology and the popular use of fiber optics have created need for arrays of densely populated connectors and cable in a given area in many devices that are not always easy to handle.
Access to fiber optic connectors in these dense array areas is difficult due to limited room for fingers or other tools that require just as much room. In computing environments, especially those that entail complex designs and sophisticated high connectivity devices, the greater density of connection required can lead to crucial accessibility issues that if not addressed properly will create critical performance problems.
Consequently, an improved system and related methods of actuation is required in connection with use of fiber optic connectors and cable especially in dense connection areas. A desirable method and system provides easy actuation and access such that the cables connector combinations can engage and disengage with one another and/or to other devices with precision.
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through an apparatus and related method that is provided for connecting fiber optic cables to devices. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fiber optics connector enabled to receive a cable containing one or even a bundle of optical fibers. An actuation sleeve with extendable features is disposed on opposing sides of the connector. The apparatus also includes an actuation sheath engageable with the connector with sleeve(s) and cable(s). The actuation sheath has a plurality of side members connected to one another by a handle area such that the handle area can be used to engage and disengage the actuation sheath with cable and connector as a single unit from the device.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to drawings,
In one embodiment, each apparatus 110 is enabled to receive one cable containing one fiber or a bundle of optical fibers along with their connector assemblies as desired. In the case of
In
In one embodiment as shown in
In the embodiment shown, the extendable feature has a mushroom like or knob like structure comprising of an outer and an inner component. The inner component which will directly be disposed adjacent to the connector 140 is narrower in diameter such that when engaged with a complementary keyhole receiving part, the narrower component slides into the keyhole and the wider component prevents movement and thus locks the feature in place. Such a keyhole arrangement is provided as part of the receiving area of actuation sheath 300 as will be discussed later in conjunction with
The side members 310 and handle area 340 form together a receiving area, which appears as a central opening in this embodiment, for receiving the connector/cable strain relief boot assembly 140/130 as shown previously in
In one embodiment, the actuation sheath 300 includes receiving areas 320 on its sides 310 for securely engaging with the actuation sleeve 200 as discussed in
The receiving area 320 can be disposed anywhere along the side members 310. In this embodiment, the areas 320 are distanced from the handle area 340 to provide ease of access to the handle area. In other embodiments, it is possible to change the location of areas 320 and features 200 so that they are disposed on other sides/areas and to even dispose them asymmetrically. It is also possible to use more than two or even a single actuation sleeve/area and a single complementary extendable feature.
In one embodiment, lockable features are included in the receiving areas 320 or the extendable features (or together as an engaged unit) such that as to ensure a secure fit as known to those skilled in the art. However, the keyhole slot design provided in this embodiment is also designed to work as a form of lock that limits action of the sleeve/feature.
The handle area 340 of the actuation sheath 300 can also include an engage/disengage tab or grip area 346 used for engaging and disengaging the apparatus 110 including connector 140 with sleeve and cable strain relief boot 130 as a single unit together such as by simple pushing and pulling action. The handle area 340 can also include another area used for labeling shown by numerals 344. In one embodiment of the present invention, the side members 310 have a tapered end at the handle area 340 end to allow for better visibility of the labeling area and for better access to the (pull) grip area 346. The tapered ends are shown and referenced by numerals 315. The tapering at the ends can be selectively enlarged or narrowed, or disposed asymmetrically (or symmetrically) to enable access and as per other desired applications.
In the embodiment of
Similarly, while the gripping area 346 is shown to be a slightly rounded edge of the handle area 340 and is substantially horizontal, again as appreciated by those skilled in the art, this is not a requirement. The grip area 346, can be provided vertically, at an angle, pivot-able, slide-able or even include a pull tab or other design that moves or extends in and out the area and/or from a first position to a second position selectively, again to enable the engaging and disengaging movement of the sheath and the gripping action in a way that optimizes maximum access as per different applications.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the actuation sheath 300 may be designed in a variety of sizes. In such an embodiment, sheaths of different sizes may be used in conjunction with one another in a manner as to make accessing them easier when stacked in a horizontal or vertical row. Alternatively, the length of the handle of the sheath can be varied accordingly. For example, in an array arrangement, the actuation sheaths on the upper level may be shorter than on lower levels of the array to this end. In other embodiments, the sheaths that are arranged in an array may be of graduated length so that each one is slightly longer or shorter than the one adjacent or on their immediate top or bottom rows, again as a means to ease access. An example of this is provided in the illustration of
Referring back to
In one embodiment of the present invention, retention features are also provided on inner side members 310 of the sheath 300. The retention features are referenced by numerals 330 as shown. The retention features 330, can but do not need to, be of the same dimensions or be disposed in exactly symmetrical positions on opposing side members 310. In fact, in the embodiment shown in
Looking back at
It should also be noted that in different embodiments, the shape of the retention features 330 can vary from one another or be selectively chosen to fit a particular application. For example, in the figures shown, the top portion of the retention feature are narrower than the bottom portion such as to provide for the rotational, stress and tensile forces in or other directions and/or to cater to the particular arrangement of the cable(s) structure. However, as appreciated by those skilled in the art, other arrangements are also possible in alternate embodiments.
The actuation sheath 300 can be manufactured of a number of materials including plastics, metals or a combination of them. In addition, as known to those skilled in the art, the actuation sheath 300 can be fabricated either as a single unitary unit or as a plurality of units. For example the side members 310 and the handle area 340 can be fabricated as individual units and then assembled together or be of a single manufactured unit.
In addition the receiving area, which in this embodiment includes the central opening, can be made larger or smaller by varying the angle and attachment of the side members 310 to the handle area 340. This latter may be achieved by selectively fabricating the sheath's 300 dimensions as per a desired application or by allowing the sides members 310 and the handle area 340 individually or both to engage or disengage with one another in a way that makes the central area larger or smaller. For example, in one instance fasteners can be provided to allow one or both sides members 310 to get closer or further from one another by sliding or moving against the handle area 340 that is connecting them. In another example, the labeling area 346 can move from a first to a second position to make the central opening area longer or shorter as desired. As known to those skilled in the art, other arrangements or a combination of arrangements can be used to achieve alternate embodiments as desired.
While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.
