Telecommunications Closure Gripping Elements for Cable-Safe Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications closures lack robust gripping elements for lifting and moving, which can damage cables due to reliance on cables as handles, especially with thinner and less robust cables becoming prevalent.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating protruding gripping elements, such as flanges with through holes or elongate receptacles, that are designed to withstand significant lifting forces and repeated use without compromising structural integrity, allowing for safe handling and movement of closures without damaging cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cables are used as handles for lifting the closure, then the closure can be lifted without additional gripping elements, but the cables may be damaged due to lateral strain
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented by adding separate gripping elements (flanges with through-holes or elongate receptacles) that are distinct from the cable structure. This allows the lifting function to be separated from the cable, preventing cable damage while maintaining closure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements act as an intermediary between the lifting force and the closure body. Instead of applying force directly to the cables, the gripping elements provide a dedicated interface for lifting tools, mediating the mechanical stress away from the cables.
2Reliability
If gripping elements are added to the closure, then cable damage is prevented during lifting, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping elements are merged with the closure housing structure, forming an integrated assembly. The flanges are molded or attached as part of the closure body, eliminating the need for separate lifting components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements serve multiple functions: they provide lifting points for moving the closure, offer structural reinforcement to the housing, and can potentially serve as mounting points for other components. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the closure is fully loaded with telecommunications equipment, then the closure provides necessary functionality, but the weight increases making lifting more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping elements are designed in advance to accommodate the maximum expected weight of the loaded closure. The structural reinforcement is built into the design before the closure is installed and loaded, ensuring adequate lifting capability from the outset regardless of the equipment weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements are designed with variable parameters (size, thickness, material properties) that can be adjusted based on the expected load. The structure can be optimized for different weight classes of closures, allowing the same design approach to scale with functionality requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Telecommunications closures and systems and associated methods of moving or lifting the telecommunications closures. The closures are provided with one or more protruding gripping features which can be gripped by hand and/or with a tool in order to move or lift the closure without having to grip a telecommunications cable entering the closure.