Adjustable Cable Clamp for Telecommunications Enclosure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications enclosures face challenges in maintaining a secure seal around fiber optic cables due to potential misalignment, which can lead to leaks and contamination, especially when cables of varying sizes and strength members are used.
Innovation Solution
The development of a cable clamp assembly that includes a jacket clamp and a strength member clamp, which can be adjusted to accommodate different cable sizes and positions, allowing the cable to centralize relative to the seal block, thereby reducing the likelihood of leaks. The clamp assembly can be mounted to the enclosure before or after cable insertion, and various mounting methods are provided to ensure proper sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed seal block is used to seal cables, then the sealing structure is simple, but cable misalignment occurs leading to leaks when cables of varying sizes are used
Solution Approach 1:
The seal block is made movable relative to the frame, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to accommodate cables of varying sizes and maintain proper alignment with the cable opening, thereby preventing leaks while keeping the sealing structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the seal block is changed as a variable parameter, allowing it to move to different locations along the cable to ensure proper sealing alignment regardless of cable size variations
2Device complexity
If the cable position is fixed relative to the seal block, then the mounting structure is simple, but the cable cannot centralize leading to potential leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The cable clamp assembly incorporates movable components that allow the cable to move and centralize itself relative to the seal block, ensuring proper alignment and sealing integrity while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single clamp assembly design is used for all cable sizes, then the device is versatile, but precise alignment and sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly includes movable elements that can adjust their position dynamically to accommodate different cable sizes while maintaining precise alignment, achieving both versatility and manufacturing precision with a single design
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameters of the clamp assembly components are made variable, allowing them to adjust to different cable diameters and ensure precise alignment and sealing for various cable sizes
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications closure (10) comprising cables (46), a cover (20), an interior frame (30), the frame (30) holding telecommunications equipment (32), and a seal block (40) sealing the cover (20) closed relative to one or more cables (46) which enter the closure (10). The frame (30) defines a plurality of clamp assembly holders (36). A plurality of clamp assemblies (60, 160, 260) are provided, each clamp assembly (60, 160, 260) for holding a cable including a jacket (48), interior optical fibers (52), and at least one interior strength member (50). Each clamp assembly (60, 160, 260) includes a jacket clamp assembly (64, 164, 264) moveable relative to the frame, and including a wrap (68) which mounts around the jacket, and a strength member clamp assembly (80, 180, 280) moveable relative to the frame. The wrap (68) wraps around the jacket (48) and is adjustable for different jacket diameters. The strength member clamp assembly (80, 180, 280) is mountable in a plurality of positions relative to the jacket clamp assembly (64, 164, 264) to account for variations in the relative location of the strength member relative to the jacket clamp assembly. The clamp assembly (60, 160, 260) is moveable relative to the frame (30) wherein the cable (46) is allowed to move to a proper position relative to the seal block (40) so as to reduce the likelihood of a leak by being centrally positioned relative to the cable opening through the seal block.