Cable Covering Assembly for Fast Dust Sealing in Fiber Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing sealing methods for cable connections in data center distribution cabinets are inadequate for high volumes of cabling, leading to inefficiencies and increased labor and time in installation, as they fail to effectively protect cables from debris and dust.

Innovation Solution

A cable covering system comprising a sheet with embedded strings and fasteners, such as magnets or zippers, designed to be coupled to distribution cabinets, which can be tensioned to create a seal around trunk cables, preventing debris and dust entry while securely attaching to the cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional sealants or sealing methods are used for cable connections in distribution cabinets, then cables are protected from debris and dust, but installation time and labor increase significantly for high volumes of cabling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from debris and dustVSAvoidinstallation time and labor
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into modular components: a sealant member with adhesive properties and a separate cover member that wraps around cables. This segmentation allows for rapid assembly where the cover member can be simply wrapped and secured with velcro fasteners, eliminating time-consuming traditional sealing processes while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealant member incorporates self-adhesive properties that allow it to bond to itself and the cabinet surface without requiring additional adhesives or complex fastening mechanisms. The velcro fasteners enable self-securing of the cover member, allowing installers to quickly seal cables without requiring specialized tools or extensive labor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional sealants are used for cable sealing, then cables are protected from debris and dust, but the sealing process becomes complex and time-consuming for high fiber-count cables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from debris and dustVSAvoidsealing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system separates the protective functions into distinct components: the sealant member provides the sealing interface and the cover member provides the protective enclosure. This segmentation simplifies each component's design and assembly, reducing overall process complexity compared to traditional monolithic sealing methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealant member uses pressure-sensitive adhesive properties that activate upon contact, changing from an inactive state to a bonded state without requiring additional chemicals, heat, or complex application processes. This parameter-based activation simplifies the sealing process while maintaining effective protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional sealing methods are applied to high volumes of cabling, then adequate protection is achieved, but labor and time requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from debris and dustVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-adhesive sealant member and self-securing velcro fasteners enable rapid deployment of sealing protection without requiring specialized tools, multiple operators, or extensive installation time. This dramatically improves productivity when sealing high volumes of cables in distribution cabinets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member is designed as a flexible wrapping structure that can accommodate varying cable volumes and configurations. This flexibility allows a single sealing operation to protect different quantities of cables, improving productivity across diverse installation scenarios without requiring multiple specialized sealing solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cable covering system significantly reduces installation time and labor by providing an efficient sealing solution for high-fiber-count cables, protecting them from debris and dust, and ensuring secure attachment to distribution cabinets.

Implementation Method 1

a string embedded within a top portion of the sheet, wherein the string is operably coupled to the top portion of the sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a fastener embedded within the bottom portion of the sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4361693A1Cable coverings for local convergence points and fiber optic enclosures
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 CORNING RES & DEV CORP
  • EP4361693A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4361693A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4361693A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

In general, the present disclosure relates to a cable covering (100) for use on distribution cabinets (32) and the corresponding methods of using and assembling the cable covering (100) onto the distribution cabinets (32).