Cable Retention Device Uniform Pressure Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fiber optic cable retention devices cause signal attenuation due to concentrated pressure on the cables, leading to fiber crush and inadequate retention, as they lack a specific housing to prevent cable displacement and distribute pressure uniformly.

Innovation Solution

A cable retention device comprising a housing element with a channel and a retaining element with a 'C'-shaped cross-section, ensuring uniform pressure distribution across the cable's surface, preventing displacement and crush by locking the cable between grooved faces and a shoulder, thus providing secure anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wedge-like element is inserted into a hollow body to constrict the optical drop, then the optical drop is retained and anchored, but the pressure is concentrated on spaced shoulders causing drop attenuation and fiber crush

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical drop retentionVSAvoidfiber crush and signal attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transitioning from concentrated pressure at discrete spaced shoulders to distributed pressure through grooved faces that contact the optical drop along its length. The grooves create multiple contact points that locally distribute the constriction force, preventing fiber crush while maintaining retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element is segmented into multiple grooves rather than a single continuous constriction point. This segmentation distributes the retention force across multiple locations along the optical drop, eliminating the harmful concentration of pressure at isolated shoulders while maintaining effective anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If spaced shoulders are used to retain the optical drop, then the drop is held in position, but the drop may move within the hollow body upon wedge insertion compromising attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidoptical drop position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The optical drop is preliminarily positioned within the hollow body before the wedge-like element is inserted. The grooves are pre-formed to guide and constrain the drop into the correct position, ensuring stability from the outset rather than relying on the wedge insertion process to secure the drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves act as an intermediary structure between the wedge-like element and the optical drop. They mediate the interaction by providing a guided path and constriction mechanism that securely holds the drop in place during wedge insertion, preventing displacement while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If pressure is concentrated on isolated points through the wedge system, then the optical drop is locked, but forces are not distributed across the entire drop surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking forceVSAvoidpressure distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional point contact at spaced shoulders to two-dimensional surface contact through grooved faces. The grooves create extended contact areas along the optical drop, distributing the locking force across multiple dimensions and ensuring uniform pressure distribution while maintaining effective retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3620835B1Cable-retention device
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 FABRIS VALCIR
  • EP3620835B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3620835B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3620835B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The present patent application relates to a cable retention device (6) useful for fiber optic cable retention, suspension and anchoring, of the drop type (3) and is provided with a retaining element (1) and a housing element (2), which once coupled retain a drop (3) between them allowing the manipulation of the drop.