Fiber Tray Assemblies With External Serpentine Slack Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movement of optical fibers within tray-based rack-mount fiber enclosures causes undesirable optical loss due to loosening of connectors and bending below the maximum threshold bend radius.
Innovation Solution
A serpentine fiber routing path is provided externally to the fiber tray, utilizing a bridge with a bend radius protector and channel assembly to manage slack fibers, minimizing internal fiber movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fibers are routed internally within the tray, then the tray structure is compact and simple, but fiber movement causes optical loss due to connector loosening and bending below minimum radius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fiber routing path from the internal tray structure and relocates it to an external serpentine channel. This separation allows the tray to remain compact while the external channel handles fiber movement, preventing internal fiber displacement and maintaining optical connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a serpentine (S-shaped) routing path that utilizes external space dimensions rather than confining fibers to the internal tray plane. This dimensional transition creates a buffer zone that absorbs movement forces without transmitting them to the optical connectors.
2Reliability
If a serpentine fiber routing path is provided externally to the tray, then fiber movement is minimized within the tray, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional elements into an integrated external routing assembly: the serpentine channel, bend radius protectors, and engagement members are combined into a unified structure that attaches to the tray. This integration reduces the number of separate components while achieving comprehensive fiber protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The external serpentine channel acts as an intermediary element between the fixed optical connectors in the tray and the moving external environment. It absorbs mechanical stresses and movements, preventing them from reaching the connectors while maintaining a relatively simple attachment interface to the tray.
3Reliability
If bend radius protectors are used to maintain optimal bend radii, then optical loss is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bend radius protectors are implemented as flexible guide elements within the serpentine channel that passively maintain proper fiber curvature through their geometric design. These flexible components conform to the serpentine path and automatically guide fibers through appropriate bend radii without requiring active control or complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fiber tray assembly includes a tray, a first tray member and a second tray member, where the tray is slidably attached to the first tray member and the second tray member. The fiber tray assembly also includes at least one fiber routing sub-assembly coupled to the tray. The at least one fiber routing sub-assembly includes a channel assembly having a top plate and a bottom plate that define a channel, a router coupled to an end of the channel assembly, the router including one or more slots for routing one or more optical fibers, and at least one bridge including a bend radius protector and an engagement member. The engagement member is operable to pivotally attach to the tray, and the channel assembly, the router, and the at least one bridge define a serpentine fiber routing path that is external to the tray.