Fiber Access Terminal Moisture Barrier Plate with Punch Out

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber access terminals face challenges in protecting telecommunications equipment from contaminants such as weather, water, debris, and animals, which can disrupt fiber optic services by allowing moisture and animal entry into the terminal.

Innovation Solution

A fiber access terminal design featuring a base and dome cover with removable covers made of compressible foam and plastic, which create sealed passageways to prevent contamination, along with a frame that holds telecommunications equipment and includes distribution cable clamps and splices, and optional punch-outs for custom cable access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fiber access terminal is opened for cable access and equipment installation, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination from weather, water, debris, and animals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable access and equipment installationVSAvoidcontamination from weather, water, debris, and animals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is divided into multiple sealed compartments and sections. The base unit, dome cover, and removable covers each seal specific areas, allowing selective access to different parts of the terminal while maintaining protection in other areas. This segmentation enables cable access and equipment installation in controlled zones without exposing the entire terminal to contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Removable covers serve as intermediary elements between the external environment and the internal equipment. These covers can be selectively removed to provide access to specific areas while the main dome cover and base remain sealed, acting as mediators that allow controlled interaction with the terminal interior without compromising overall protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealed dome cover and base are used to protect against contaminants, then protection from contamination is improved, but access for cable installation and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from weather, water, debris, and animalsVSAvoidaccess for cable installation and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal employs dynamic cover systems that can be opened and closed. The removable covers and dome cover can be selectively opened during installation and maintenance operations, then closed and sealed to provide protection during operation. This dynamic capability allows the terminal to transition between accessible and protected states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By dividing the terminal into sealed base, removable covers, and dome cover sections, the design allows selective access to specific areas without compromising the sealed protection of other areas. This segmentation enables maintenance personnel to access specific zones for cable installation while the rest of the terminal remains protected from environmental contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom break out areas are added to the cover for cable receipt, then adaptability for different cable configurations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom cable break out areasVSAvoidcover structure with multiple access points

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The removable covers are designed with universal applicability through standardized opening patterns and seal mechanisms. The same cover design can accommodate different cable configurations and break out areas by selectively removing or positioning covers, providing multi-functionality without requiring custom-designed covers for each cable layout scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the cover are designed with different properties to suit local requirements. Some areas have sealed constructions for protection, while other areas have configured openings for cable access. This local differentiation allows the cover to provide both protection and adaptability for various cable configurations without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7715683B2Fiber access terminal including moisture barrier plate with punch out

Publication Date: 2010.05.11 BISON PATENT LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A fiber access terminal includes a drop cable side and a distribution cable side. The sides are separated by a frame to which a variety of cable management and cable connections components may be mounted. Optical fibers are routed from drop and distribution cables through a plurality of routing paths to splice trays for connection to other optical fibers. The terminal includes a base and a dome cover mounted to the base defining an enclosed interior. Passageways between the base and the dome cover are closed by removable covers to limit moisture and animals from accessing an interior of the dome cover. A tether connects the removable covers to the frame. The removable covers include one or more break out regions configured for being removed to receive one or more cables.