Crawler-Based Fiber Patch Cord Apparatus for Automated Port Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber patch cord systems have complex structures and inefficiencies in accuracy, timeliness, and simplicity during optical fiber maintenance, particularly due to the need for multiple robots and a large space occupation in fiber distribution terminals.
Innovation Solution
A fiber patch cord apparatus with a crawling unit, clamping unit, and pulling/insertion unit that moves along a crawling guide rail on a port panel, allowing for automatic and precise pulling and insertion of fiber patch cords, simplifying the system structure by reducing the need for multiple robots and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robotic arm is used to move through a two-dimensional port panel for fiber patching operations, then automated fiber maintenance is achieved, but the system requires additional column change and movement modules that increase the volume of the fiber distribution terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the port panel into multiple independently movable mold strip groups arranged in columns. Each mold strip group can move along guide rails to different positions, allowing the crawling robot to access any adapter port by moving along guide rails. This segmentation eliminates the need for a large two-dimensional port panel and additional column change modules, thereby reducing the overall volume of the fiber distribution terminal while maintaining automated fiber maintenance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional port panel layout to a three-dimensional arrangement where multiple one-dimensional mold strip groups are stacked and can move independently. The crawling robot moves along guide rails in a specific direction to access adapter ports on different mold strip groups. This dimensional transformation allows compact space utilization while achieving full automation for fiber patching operations across all ports.
2Extent of automation
If multiple robots are disposed on a space matrix structure port panel to handle row and column directions, then complete fiber patching control is achieved, but the robots occupy large space and reduce the number of adapter ports that can be disposed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the port panel into multiple mold strip groups arranged in columns, with each group containing multiple adapter ports. A single crawling robot moves along guide rails to access adapter ports on different mold strip groups sequentially. This segmentation allows one robot to service all ports by moving along the guide rail path, eliminating the need for multiple robots and thereby freeing up space for additional adapter ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The crawling robot is designed as a universal device that can perform fiber patching operations on any adapter port located on any mold strip group by moving along the guide rails. This multi-functional robot replaces the need for specialized robots for different row and column directions, reducing the total number of robots required and maximizing the space available for adapter ports.
3Device complexity
If a two-dimensional port panel with fixed adapter ports is used, then simple structure is maintained, but manual patching operations lack accuracy and timeliness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic elements to the port panel structure by making the mold strip groups movable along guide rails. The crawling robot moves dynamically to different positions on the guide rail to access specific adapter ports. This dynamic capability enables automated, accurate, and timely fiber patching operations while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through the use of guide rails and movable mold strip groups.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber patch cord apparatus and a port panel, which may simplify a structure of the fiber patch cord system. The fiber patch cord apparatus includes a crawler configured to move to a corresponding position of a source adapter port along a crawling guide rail provided by a port panel, a clamper configured to clamp a fiber patch cord on the source adapter port, and a puller and inserter configured to pull the fiber patch cord out of the source adapter port and a controller that is configured to control the fiber patch cord apparatus to move on a crawling guide rail, where the controller is further configured to control a mold strip group on the port panel to move. The embodiments of the present invention are used to pull and insert a fiber patch cord.