Patent Publication Number: US-2023140141-A1

Title: Fiber optic cable management systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is being filed on Mar. 31, 2021 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/003,043, filed on Mar. 31, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications cable management devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to fiber optic cable management systems and methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various devices are used to manage, store and/or protect optical fibers and optical splices. These devices may include trays that have relatively hard plastic constructions and include added structures for routing optical fibers and splicing locations. Improvements in fiber management are needed for optical fiber accessibility, handling, managing, and storing. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a fiber optic management assembly or system for managing optical fibers, such as in fiber optic equipment, such as closures. 
     The fiber optic management system can include a telecommunications equipment, such as a closure, including a base; a cover; at least one mounting structure positioned within the base of the telecommunications equipment; at least one fixation element; and at least one optical fiber mounted to the at least one fixation element. The fixation element mounts to the mounting structure to mount the optical fiber to the base of the telecommunications equipment. 
     In certain examples, the at least one fixation element can take the form of a fixation tag mounted to the optical fiber. The fixation tag can mount to the at least one mounting structure to manage the at least one optical fiber within the telecommunications equipment. The fixation tag can take the form of a flexible foil mounted to at least part of the optical fiber. 
     In some embodiments, there is more than one optical fiber mounted to the fixation tag. 
     In some embodiments, there is more than one fixation tag for the optical fiber or fibers. 
     In some embodiments, the mounting structure includes a post for receiving the fixation tag. 
     In some embodiments, the mounting posts can include retention portions, such as a shoulder or an enlarged portion to increase retention of the fixation tag. 
     In some embodiments, the post is one post and a plurality of other posts are provided for additional fixation tags. 
     In some examples, the flexible foil is used for manufacturing the fiber optic circuit with the various fiber optic cables of the circuit. In some cases, the fiber optic circuit can include loose fibers, ribbonized fibers, or fibers contained within a flex foil. 
     The fixation element or elements hold the optical fiber or fibers in a desired location within the closure or other device so that the fiber or fibers are not damaged or excessively bent. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber management cable assembly where the optical fiber circuit extends from one end to an opposite end. The ends can be spliced to other fibers or connectorized with single fiber connector(s) or multifiber connector(s). The fiber management cable assembly can include at least one flexible foil element, and optical fibers mounted to the one or more flexible foil elements. 
     In certain examples, the fiber management cable assembly can include a plurality of flexible foil elements. The plurality of flexible foil elements can include at least one management feature for managing optical fibers attached thereto within a telecommunications equipment. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of assembly. The method can include a step of providing a fiber management cable assembly. The fiber management cable assembly can include one or a plurality of fixation elements. The method can also include one or a plurality of optical fibers mounted to the one or the plurality of fixation elements. The method can further include a step of mounting the one or the plurality of fixation elements to one or more mounting structures located within telecommunications equipment. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications equipment. In certain examples, the telecommunications equipment can include a housing including a base and a plurality of fiber optic adapters secured to the housing. The fiber optic adapters can include connector ports accessible from inside the housing. 
     In certain examples, the telecommunications equipment can include a plurality of mounting structures positioned within the base and a plurality of fixation tabs. The plurality of fixation tabs can include a foil. 
     In certain examples, the telecommunications equipment can include a plurality of optical fibers mounted to the plurality of fixation tabs. The plurality of fixation tabs can be mountable to the plurality of mounting structures to manage the optical fibers within the housing. 
     In certain examples, the optical fibers can have connectorized ends that plug into the connector ports of the fiber optic adapters. 
     The various aspects characterized above in this section can be used together or separately in enclosure arrangements. 
     These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view showing multiple layers of an example fiber management cable assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is top, plan view of a fiber management cable assembly depicting an example flexible fiber circuit. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view of a fiber management cable assembly including a fixation element and optical fibers mounted to the fixation element in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic view of examples of multiple fixation elements defining a cutout region in a variety of shapes in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 - 6    are perspective views of the fixation element of  FIG.  3    positioned in a telecommunications equipment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  7 A-C  show examples of some top profiles for the mounting posts of the equipment. 
         FIGS.  8 A-C  show examples of some side profiles for the mounting posts of the equipment. 
         FIGS.  9 - 12    show various telecommunications equipment with fixation elements for mounting optical fibers in the equipment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed generally to a fiber optic management system that includes fiber fixation elements, for example film elements, or flexible foil elements. In certain examples, the fixation elements of the present disclosure can be arranged and configured for use within a telecommunications equipment. The fixation elements can be utilized to position optical fibers within the telecommunications equipment. 
     In certain examples, the optical fibers can be terminated by a fiber optic connector or fiber optic connectors. Non-limiting examples of connectors include MPO style connectors, and single or duplex fiber connectors, such as LC or SC type connectors. 
     The fixation elements can include one or more (typically, multiple) optical fibers attached to and supported by a flexible planar substrate, such as a Mylar™ or other flexible polymer substrate. Although specific examples herein depict and describe planar substrates, it should be appreciated that other substrate configurations, e.g., in which a substrate fix optical fibers in and/or across multiple planes are also contemplated. In certain examples, the optical fibers can extend past ends of the film elements so that they can be terminated to optical connectors, which can be coupled to fiber optic cables or other fiber optic components through mating optical connectors. 
     The film elements can be constructed from preformed fiber optic circuits. Example fiber optic circuits is disclosed in PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/053935 (WO2019/070682A2), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The fixation elements allow for quicker installation of the optical fibers into a telecommunications device such a closure. In one example, retention posts in the equipment interact with fixation tags of the optical circuit allow for rapid assembly of the optical circuit to the equipment. 
     Turning to  FIG.  1   , a schematic view of a fiber management cable assembly  10  is illustrated. The fiber management cable assembly can include an example film element  12  (e.g., a flexible foil element; a fiber fixation tab, a fiber fixation tag, a PET foil) and one or more optical fibers  14 . The film element  12  can include a composite structure that includes at least three layers of which one layer is a flexible planar substrate  16 , a silicone coating layer  18 , and an adhesive layer  20 . That is, the flexible planar substrate  16  may have a siliconized side to facilitate release and an opposite, adhesive side. 
     Example adhesives include epoxy, light curable adhesive (e.g., ultraviolet light curable adhesive), thermo-form adhesive, thermo-set adhesive, index-matching adhesive or other adhesives. In certain examples, the adhesive layer  20  can be deposited on top of the flexible planar substrate  16 . 
     In certain examples, the film element can be a multi-layer substrate that can include: a first planar flexible substrate layer (e.g., base substrate layer, bottom substrate layer, bulk substrate), an adhesive layer (e.g., epoxy), and an optional second planar flexible substrate layer (e.g., top substrate layer), although alternatives are possible. 
     In certain examples, the flexible planar substrate  16  may be formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, it would be understood that PET is simply one non-limiting example polymer that may be used to form the flexible planar substrate  16  of the present disclosure, and other polymers having similar characteristics can be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, such as Mylar™. 
     The adhesive layer  20  on the flexible planar substrate  16  may be adapted to support the optical fibers  14 . That is, one or more optical fibers  14  can be routed on the flexible planar substrate  16 , typically with a needle extending from a robotic arm, and then secured to the flexible planar substrate  16  with the adhesive layer  20 , which is allowed to set or cure. 
     In certain examples, an additional optional layer of material  22  can be applied on top of the optical fibers  14  and the adhesive layer  20  to affix the optical fibers  14 . Any suitable material can be used for this purpose. In one non-limiting example, an elastomer such a silicone coating can be applied on top of the optical fibers  14  and the adhesive layer  20 . The silicone coating layer  18  may be used to supplement the adhesive layer  20  to fix the optical fibers  14  onto the flexible planar substrate  16  and to cover the adhesive layer  20  to limit tackiness. 
     The film element  12  described above is one example of a fixation element for the optical fiber or fibers to be used with telecommunications equipment. 
     The method of assembly of the fiber management cable assembly  10  provides a number of advantages. For example, the assembly of the fiber management cable assembly  10  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure allows a designer or technician to fix the optical fibers  14  in a predictable and automated manner such that a desired orientation or layout of the optical fibers  14  can be achieved. The film elements  12  are preferably constructed with a foil adapted to fix the optical fibers  14  within a telecommunications equipment  24  (see  FIG.  5   ) that optimizes fiber bend radius limits and requirements. In certain examples, the telecommunications equipment  24  can be a closure, a module, a panel, or a tray, although alternatives are possible. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the flexible film-like substrate optionally having a flexibility that flexes up to but not beyond a minimum bend radius of an optical fiber intended to be managed. In one example, the optical fiber is a G657A or G652D optical fiber. 
     In one example, a plurality of different types of optical fibers are intended to be fixed by the film elements, and the minimum bend radius beyond which the film elements do not flex corresponds to the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber having the highest minimum bend radius of the optical fibers. 
     Preferably, the film elements  12  do not break or kink to ensure the safety and protection of the optical fibers  14 . In certain examples, the film elements  12  are bendable in such a way that the optical fiber bend radius requirements are respected and satisfied. 
     In other examples, the film elements  12  may have a flexibility that allows the film elements to flex along a bend smaller than a minimum bend radius of the optical fiber or fibers being managed. 
     Turning to  FIG.  2   , a schematic top view of the example fiber management cable assembly  10  (e.g., final product cut from bulk substrate) including an example flexible fiber circuit is illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     Various optical fibers  14  are shown organized and supported by a plurality of film elements  12 . In certain examples, the fiber management cable assembly  10  can include loose fibers  14   a  or single stranded fibers that are not coated. The loose fibers  14   a  can be left as a bare fiber. In other areas, the fiber management cable assembly  10  can include ribbonized fibers  14   b.  The ribbonized fibers  14   b  can be coated fibers. 
     The fiber management cable assembly  10  can include a first fiber optic circuit  26  and a second fiber optic circuit  28  that each include ribbonized fibers  14   b.  An example method of preparation of the first and second fiber optic circuits  26 ,  28  is disclosed in PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/053935 (WO2019/070682A2), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     That is, the first fiber optic circuit  26  can include six sets of twelve fibers that can be connectorized with a multi-fiber connector (not shown). That is, ends of the optical fibers  14   b  can be cleaved and polished in preparation of being terminated to a multi-fiber connector. 
     In certain examples, the loose fibers  14   a  or the ribbonized fibers  14   b  may be connected to other ribbons or connector (multi-fiber/simplex) stub fibers via a splicing operation. The second fiber optic circuit  28  may also include six sets of twelve fibers that may be connectorized later or later spliced. 
     In certain examples, identification flags  30   a,    30   b  can be provided on the fiber management cable assembly  10  as a marker for correctly orienting and identifying the optical fibers  14   b  from one end of a piece of telecommunications equipment to an opposite end. 
     Turning to  FIG.  3   , a schematic view of another example fiber management cable assembly  10   a  is depicted. The fiber management cable assembly  10   a  can include a film element  12   a  and three sets of twelve ribbonized fibers  14   b  and loose fibers  14   a  mounted to the film element  12   a.  In the example depicted, the film element  12   a  defines a cutout region  32  that has a shape or configuration of a plus-sign, although alternative shapes are possible. The cutout region  32  of the film element  12  can be cut out into multiple shapes and/or sizes. For example, the cutout region  32  of the film element  12  can be cut or torn out as indicated at a perforated line  34  (e.g., cutting line, scored line). The cutting process can be accomplished by any known cutting techniques. For example, any known arrangements, operations, controlling machines or devices for cutting-out, stamping out, punching, perforating and also for severing may be used. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , multiple film elements  12   a - h  are depicted. The film elements  12   a - h  can each include the cutout region  32 . In certain examples, the film elements  12   a - h  may each include the perforated line  34  (e.g., cutting line, scored line) about the cutout region  32 . Tearing along the perforated line  34  of the cutout region  32  allows a portion of the material of the film element  12  to be removed to create an opening  36  (e.g., fixation holes, apertures) therein. 
     In certain examples, the film element  12  may include a plus-sign opening  36   a,  a triangular opening  36   b,  a U-shaped opening  36   c  or a circular opening  36   d.  It will be appreciated that any number of shapes are possible. The cutout region  32  of the film elements  12   a-h  can be used to frictionally mount the film elements  12   a-h  to structure positioned within the telecommunications equipment  24 . In certain examples, the U-shaped opening  36   c  can be fixed at one end  38  and unattached at the other end  40  to create a flap that may be flexed up to allow the U-shaped opening  36   c  to receive structure on the telecommunications equipment  24 . In addition, structure located within the telecommunications equipment  24  can be received within the triangular, circular, or plus-sign openings  36   a,b,d  to frictionally mount the film elements  12   a-h  thereto. 
     The film elements  12  can take the shape of a square, rectangle, or circle, although alternatives are possible. In certain examples, the film elements  12   a-d  can have a curved edge at a first end  42  and a substantially straight edge at an opposite, second end  44 , although alternatives are possible. In certain examples, the film elements  12   e-h  may have two substantially straight edges at the first and second ends  42 ,  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , an example fiber optic management system  46  is depicted in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     The fiber optic management system  46  can include the telecommunications equipment  24  having a base  48 , at least one mounting structure  50  positioned within the base  48  of the telecommunications equipment  24 , at least one film element  12 , and at least one optical fiber  14  mounted to the at least one film element  12 . 
     In certain examples, the at least one mounting structure  50  includes a plurality of mounting structures, the at least one film element  12  includes a plurality of film elements, and the at least one optical fiber  14  includes a plurality of optical fibers  14 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  6   , the at least one film element  12  can be removably and frictionally mounted to the at least one mounting structure to manage the at least one optical fiber  14  within the telecommunications equipment  24 . In certain examples, the at least one mounting structure  50  includes at least one post  52  (e.g., support, catch) located within the telecommunications equipment  24 . The post  52  can be arranged and configured to be received in the opening  36  of the film element  12 . That is, the opening  36  defined in the at least one film element  12  can be adapted to receive the at least one mounting structure  50  such that the at least one film element  12  and the at least one optical fiber  14  can be attached or mounted in the base  48  of the telecommunications equipment  24 . For example, when the film element  12  is mated with the mounting structure  50 , the mounting structure  50  is inserted through the opening  36  defined in the film element  12  to fix or hold the optical fiber  14  in a fiber optic module, in a fiber optic housing, to a fiber optic panel, to a fiber optic frame, to a fiber optic tray or elsewhere. In certain examples, multiple film elements  12  may be mounted to a single mounting structure  50 . 
     The fiber management cable assembly  10  including the film elements  12  and the optical fibers  14  can be arranged and configured such that the optical fibers  14  can be positioned in a pre-determined and fixed routing path within the telecommunications equipment  24 . The film elements  12  can be used as a fiber management or routing tab such that separate retainers, lips, or fingers are not needed to fix or manage the optical fibers  14  within the telecommunications equipment  24 . 
     In certain examples, the film elements  12  can be used for constraining lengths of optical fibers  14  loosely arranged on the telecommunication equipment  24 . That is, the film elements  12  can be used to manage optical fibers  14  that are not adhesively attached. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of assembly. The method can include a step of providing the fiber management cable assembly  40  that has a plurality of film elements  12 . The method can also include a step of mounting a plurality of optical fibers  14  to the plurality of film elements  12 . The method can further include a step of frictionally fixing the plurality of film elements  12  to selectively mounted structures  50  located within the telecommunications equipment  24 . In certain examples, the method can include a step of cutting the plurality of film elements  12  to define the openings  36  therein. In certain examples, the method can include a step of connectorizing the plurality of optical fibers  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7 A-C , various example shapes for the posts  52  are shown. Post  52   a  is generally cylindrical. Post  52   b  is generally square. Post  52   c  is generally triangular. 
       FIGS.  8 A-C  shows various examples of the posts  52  from a side view.  FIG.  8 A  shows a cylindrical post  52   d.    FIG.  8 B  shows a post  52   e  with a retention flange  56  to improve the retention of the film element  12 .  FIG.  8 C  shows an enlarged tip  58  to improve the retention of the film element  12 . 
     With the optical circuit managed by the fixation tags  12  (for example film tags), the fibers are mounted to the equipment in an easier operation than feeding loose fibers under overhanging tabs. 
     With the optical circuit managed by the fixation tags  12  (for example film tags), the fibers are mounted to the equipment for longer term retention than feeding loose fibers under overhanging tabs. In other words, the fibers are less likely to pop out and get caught in an interface between a cover and a base or in a hinge area. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 - 12   , various examples of equipment  24  are shown where film elements  12  are used to secure fibers to a base  48  for example.  FIG.  9    shows a fiber management tray  60  for use in managing the fibers in the equipment, including fiber slack.  FIGS.  9 - 12    show MPO connectors  62  mounted on the ends of ribbon cables.  FIG.  12    shows a splice  64  for connecting the fibers of the fiber assemblies  10  to one another. The splice  64  can be secured on a tray like tray  60 . 
     From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.