Cable Trough Fittings with Integrated Spring Couplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing systems for optical fibers and other cables in telecommunications facilities require numerous components for joining trough members, fittings, and trumpets, leading to increased costs and system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cable trough system that incorporates curved fittings and trumpet members with integrated spring members and guiding surfaces, allowing for tool-less, auto-locking coupling of trough members without separate couplers, reducing the number of parts and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate couplers are used to join trough members, fittings, and trumpets, then the cable routing system achieves reliable connections, but the number of components increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coupler functionality directly into the fitting and trumpet members by integrating spring members and guiding surfaces into these components. This merging eliminates the need for separate coupler components while maintaining the connection function, thereby reducing system complexity and component count while preserving connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting and trumpet members are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide cable routing guidance through curved surfaces, structural support through their geometry, and connection coupling through integrated spring members. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate couplers, reducing component count while maintaining reliable connections
2Reliability
If separate couplers are used to join trough members, fittings, and trumpets, then the cable routing system achieves secure connections, but the cost increases due to more parts
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler functionality is merged into the fitting and trumpet members themselves through integrated spring members and guiding surfaces. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts from multiple separate components to integrated multi-functional elements, lowering material costs and assembly complexity while maintaining secure connections
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated spring members and guiding surfaces provide multiple functions including connection coupling, cable guidance, and structural support within single components. This reduces the quantity of parts needed while ensuring secure connections through the multi-functional design
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used for cable routing, then the system is adaptable to equipment changes, but the space requirements and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the coupler functionality into the fitting and trumpet members, the system maintains adaptability through its modular component design while reducing assembly complexity. The integrated spring members and guiding surfaces allow for tool-less assembly and easy reconfiguration, preserving versatility while simplifying the overall assembly process
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 system simplifies cable routing by reducing the number of components needed, minimizing costs and space requirements while maintaining secure cable management and adaptability to changes in equipment needs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member positioned in the space. The space is sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member of the cable trough system, and wherein the spring member is positioned to engage the terminal end of the trough member to couple the trough member to the fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting for a cable trough system, the fitting including a bottom wall and side walls extending from at least a first terminal end to a second terminal end and forming a trough therebetween, the side walls being curved in a longitudinal direction, and an end portion formed at each of the first and second terminal ends, the end portion including first and second guiding surfaces defining a space therebetween, and a spring member positioned in the space. The space is sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member of the cable trough system, and wherein the spring member is positioned to engage the terminal end of the trough member to couple the trough member to the fitting. Other cable routing devices can also be used.