Bulkhead Adapter Plate Angled Mounting Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable management systems for fiber optic terminations in telecommunications infrastructure face challenges with cost and organizational effectiveness due to the complexity and scale of the infrastructure, often resulting in manufacturing issues such as bowing and deformation of adapter plates during the bending process, which affects the flatness and proper fit of adapters.
Innovation Solution
A bulkhead adapter plate assembly with angled adapter mounting openings formed through a reduced number of bending operations, improving flatness characteristics and reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing the number of bending procedures required, allowing for efficient mounting and secure positioning of adapters within cable management panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If multiple bending operations are performed to form adapter mounting openings, then the adapter plate can achieve complex shapes and angles, but the flatness of the adapter plate deteriorates due to bowing and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter plate is designed with pre-formed angled mounting openings in the flat sheet material before bending operations. This preliminary configuration allows the openings to be created without subsequent bending that would cause deformation, thereby maintaining flatness while achieving the required angled geometry for adapter mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter plate is divided into distinct functional zones: flat mounting surfaces and angled opening sections. By segmenting the plate design, the angled openings are isolated from the critical flat mounting surfaces, allowing each zone to serve its purpose without compromising the other's integrity during manufacturing.
2Shape
If multiple bending operations are performed to create angled openings, then the desired angular geometry is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The angled mounting openings are pre-configured in the flat sheet material before any bending operations occur. This eliminates the need for multiple bending steps to create the angles, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the required geometric precision for adapter mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle-forming operation is extracted from the bending process and performed separately during the opening creation stage. This separation allows the angled geometry to be established without involving complex multi-step bending sequences, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Shape
If multiple bending operations are performed, then angled openings can be formed, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The angled mounting openings are established in the flat sheet material before bending operations begin. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for time-consuming multiple bending cycles, thereby reducing total manufacturing time and improving production efficiency while maintaining the required angled geometry.
4Ease of operation
If adapters are mounted on a non-flat adapter plate, then mounting can proceed, but the fit and alignment of adapters deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter plate maintains flatness by pre-forming angled openings before bending, ensuring that the mounting surface remains planar. This preliminary configuration allows adapters to be mounted with proper fit and alignment, as the flat surface provides a stable base while the pre-formed angles accommodate the mounting geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A bulkhead adapter plate that mounts to a face panel of a cable management panel, and a method of making the bulkhead adapter plate. The plate including angled adapter mounting openings formed by performing a minimum number of bending operations.