Optical Fiber Cable Sealing Unit with Dual Retaining Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing units for optical fiber cable cabinets face challenges in maintaining a watertight seal while accommodating varying lengths of optical fiber cables, leading to inconvenience in stocking and selecting appropriate cable lengths, and compromising waterproofing due to cable movement.
Innovation Solution
A sealing unit with a gasket and dual retaining devices, each comprising channels with protruding surfaces that restrain longitudinal movement of optical fiber cables, ensuring secure attachment and maintaining watertightness without the need for collars or varying cable lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collar is provided on the cable to prevent it from being pulled out, then the cable can be retained, but the cable can still be pushed into the cabinet and move freely, compromising waterproofing
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is segmented into two separate devices: a first retaining device on the interior side of the gasket and a second retaining device on the exterior side. Each device has channels with protruding surfaces that restrain longitudinal movement of the cable from its respective side, working together to fully prevent cable movement and maintain waterproofing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket serves as an intermediary element between the two retaining devices, providing a seal around the cable while the retaining devices attach to opposite sides of the gasket. The channels in the retaining devices interface with the cable through the gasket structure, restraining movement without compromising the seal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables of different lengths are provided to accommodate varying distances between aperture and connector, then all positions can be accommodated, but it creates inconvenience in stocking and selecting appropriate cable types
Solution Approach 1:
The system becomes dynamic by allowing the cable to be cut to the required length after installation. The retaining devices constrain the cable longitudinally at both ends, enabling flexible positioning and cutting of the cable to any required length, eliminating the need to pre-stock multiple cable types.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable length parameter is changed from a fixed manufacturing specification to a variable parameter that can be adjusted after installation. The retaining devices enable the cable to be cut to any required length, transforming the system from requiring multiple pre-configured cable types to accepting a single cable type that can be customized in the field.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is allowed to move freely to accommodate different fiber lengths, then installation flexibility is improved, but the waterproofing of the cabinet is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is divided into two segments (first and second retaining devices) that work together to provide both flexibility and waterproofing. The segmentation allows the cable to be secured at multiple points without compromising the seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels in the retaining devices provide localized restraint at specific positions, allowing the cable to be flexible where needed while maintaining rigid restraint at the sealing interface to preserve waterproofing.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing unit for a cabinet containing optical components. A gasket defines a plurality of apertures configured to provide a seal around a plurality of optical fiber cables, wherein the gasket has an interior side intended to face the interior of the cabinet and an exterior side intended to face an exterior of the cabinet. A first retaining device is located on the interior side of the gasket, and a second retaining device is located on the exterior side of the gasket. The first and second retaining devices each include a plurality of channels, wherein each channel is aligned with a respective aperture of the gasket and each channel is configured to receive one of the plurality of optical fiber cables. Each channel has a profile defined by a plurality of protruding surfaces configured to restrain longitudinal movement of an optical fiber cable received therein.