Fiber routing systems and methods
AssigneeCommScope Technologies LLC
InventorsJeroen Claesen, Debora Dockx, David James Mather, Jozef Christiaan Mathieu Versleegers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to fiber management systems and methods for facilitating assembling fiber optic devices in an efficient manner by allowing pre-processed and tested optical fibers to be pre-routed on a substrate prior to installation in their corresponding fiber optic devices.
Claims29
A method for manufacturing an optical circuit layout for an optical connection device including a plurality of optical connection locations arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration, the method comprising:
- using a digital map corresponding to the multi-dimensional configuration of optical connection locations to control a robotic device which routes a plurality of optical fibers on a substrate, wherein the optical fibers are pre-tested optical fibers each having at least one pre-processed end that is a pre-connectorized end including a fiber optic connector, wherein the optical fibers are routed by the robotic device along fiber routing paths defined by the digital map, and wherein the optical fibers are routed on the substrate with the pre-processed ends of the optical fibers being positioned in a multi-dimensional arrangement that corresponds to the multi-dimensional configuration of the optical connection locations, wherein the optical fibers with pre-connectorized ends form optical pigtails, and wherein the optical pigtails are staged for ready access by the robotic device within packaging including spools having flanges defining channels in which pre-defined lengths of the optical fibers are coiled and holders for holding the fiber optic connectors at defined mounting locations on the packaging, wherein the holders are positioned at outer radial peripheries of the spools radially outside the channels, with the optical fibers being coiled within the channels radially between the connectors and spooling surfaces of the spools.
A method for manufacturing an optical circuit layout for an optical connection device including a plurality of optical connection locations arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration, the method comprising:
- using a digital map corresponding to the multi-dimensional configuration of optical connection locations to control a robotic device which routes a plurality of optical fibers on a substrate, wherein the optical fibers are pre-tested optical fibers each having at least one pre-processed end, wherein the optical fibers are routed by the robotic device along routing paths defined by the digital map, and wherein the optical fibers are routed on the substrate with the pre-processed ends of the optical fibers being positioned in a multi-dimensional arrangement that corresponds to the multi-dimensional configuration of the optical connection locations;
- wherein the optical fibers have connectorized ends at the time the optical fibers are routed on the substrate, wherein a driven roller and a press roller are carried by a fiber routing head, and wherein a connector gripper for grasping the connectorized ends and for positioning the connectorized ends on the substrate is carried with the fiber routing head.
A method for manufacturing an optical circuit layout for an optical connection device including a plurality of optical connection locations arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration, the method comprising:
- using a digital map corresponding to the multi-dimensional configuration of optical connection locations to control a robotic device which routes a plurality of optical fibers on a substrate, wherein the optical fibers are pre-tested optical fibers each having at least one pre-processed end that is a pre-connectorized end including a fiber optic connector, wherein the optical fibers are routed by the robotic device along routing paths defined by the digital map, and wherein the optical fibers are routed on the substrate with the pre-processed ends of the optical fibers being positioned in a multi-dimensional arrangement that corresponds to the multi-dimensional configuration of the optical connection locations, wherein the optical fibers with pre-connectorized ends form optical pigtails, and wherein the optical pigtails are staged for ready access by the robotic device within packaging including spools having flanges defining channels in which pre-defined lengths of the optical fibers are coiled and holders for holding the fiber optic connectors at defined mounting locations on the packaging, wherein the holders are defined at least partially by the flanges, the channel of each spool extending around an exterior radial periphery of the spool and between the flanges, and wherein the optical fibers are coiled between the flanges and around spooling surfaces of the spools and the connectors positioned over the coiled fibers and between the flanges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.