Compact Optical Fiber Connection Box with Integrated Cassette
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber connection boxes are bulky due to their large thickness, which is aesthetically unappealing and poses a risk of accidental damage to coiled fibers when the cover is removed.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical fiber connection box design with a minimal thickness of approximately 25 mm, featuring a rear housing open towards the rear and a fiber coiling cassette molded into the housing body, where the cassette is completely enclosed within the rear housing, protecting the fibers when the cover is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the box includes a rear housing, front housing, cassette, and cover, then the connection box provides complete protection and functionality, but the total thickness becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rear housing and front housing into a single integrated housing structure. The rear housing and front housing are combined into one piece that contains both the rear opening for cable access and the front opening for connector access, eliminating the need for separate housing components and reducing overall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette is nested within the housing structure, with the front face of the cassette forming the front wall of the connector housing. The connector housing is in turn nested within the main housing body, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes the overall thickness of the connection box.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is removed for access, then the connection box allows maintenance and installation, but the coiled optical fibers become directly accessible and vulnerable to accidental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection box is segmented into distinct functional zones: a connector housing area for connector access and a cassette area for fiber coiling. The partition wall between these zones provides structural support and protection, allowing the fiber housing to remain intact even when the cover is removed for connector maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector support is designed to be movable relative to the housing, allowing it to pivot between a closed position that protects the connectors and an open position that allows access. This dynamic element provides protection during normal operation while enabling easy maintenance when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cassette is made separate from the housing, then the components can be manufactured independently, but the overall device complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a single integrated component that incorporates both the rear housing and front housing functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying both the manufacturing process and the final assembly steps while maintaining all necessary functional features.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fiber optic connection box for a main cable (5) to end-user optical fibers, comprising a rear housing (4) for the main cable, a connector holder (1) for connectors (1A), and a fiber coil cassette (6), formed within a housing body (2) having a closing base (7) delimiting said rear housing and a front portion pivotally mounted on the housing body (2) near one of its side walls (2A), said pivoting front portion being said connector holder (1). According to the invention, said rear housing (4) is open at the rear, and said cassette (6) is molded into said base (7) of the housing body and delimits a rear channel (7A) for housing the main cable (5).