Fiber Conduit Installation Tool With Drive and Pincher Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual installation of fiber optic cable drops through conduits is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors due to obstacles and the need for multiple technicians, leading to increased costs and potential customer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A modular fiber optic cable installation apparatus featuring a housing with interchangeable tubes for fiber optic cables and conduits, a pincher wheel, a drive wheel, and a drive shaft that can be powered by a standard drill, allowing for efficient pushing and threading of fiber optic cables through conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual hand-over-hand technique is used to push fiber drop through conduit, then installation can be completed with simple equipment, but installation time increases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pushing technique with a motorized mechanical system. The installation device uses an electric motor to rotate a spool that winds the fiber drop cable, automatically pushing it through the conduit without requiring manual hand-over-hand techniques, thereby significantly reducing installation time and labor intensity while maintaining equipment simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation device performs the installation process autonomously once set up. The motorized spool system automatically winds and pushes the fiber through the conduit without continuous manual intervention, allowing the system to service itself during the installation process and reducing the need for multiple technicians.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual installation technique is used, then equipment cost remains low, but installation complexity increases due to obstacles and multiple technicians required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual installation procedures with a motorized mechanical system. The device uses an electric motor and spool mechanism to automatically handle fiber routing through obstacles and conduit bends, reducing installation complexity while keeping equipment costs relatively low through the use of standard motor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation device incorporates adjustable parameters such as motor speed control and spool tension adjustment to adapt to different installation conditions including conduit bends, obstacles, and varying fiber types. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to handle complex installation scenarios without requiring equally complex manual procedures or multiple technicians.
3Reliability
If multiple technicians are used for manual installation, then installation can be completed, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized installation device performs the installation task autonomously, requiring minimal human intervention for setup and monitoring. This self-service capability eliminates the need for multiple technicians to physically push and guide the fiber through the conduit, significantly reducing labor costs while maintaining reliable installation completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human labor of multiple technicians with a motorized mechanical system. The electric motor and automated spool mechanism perform the physical work of pushing fiber through long conduits and navigating obstacles, converting labor costs into more efficient mechanical work while maintaining installation reliability.
4Device complexity
If manual pushing technique is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but installation time and customer dissatisfaction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual pushing with a motorized mechanical system. The electric motor rotates the spool at controlled speeds to rapidly wind and push the fiber through the conduit, reducing installation time from potentially hours to minutes while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and easy to deploy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus significantly reduces installation time and effort, minimizes errors, and allows for faster completion of fiber optic installations, thereby reducing costs and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a drive wheel and a pincher wheel... causing the fiber optic cable to be pushed into and through the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic installation device is disclosed for easily and efficiently installing fiber into an existing conduit in order to provide telecommunication and other services. The installation device includes a housing having first and second entry points. A first tube is releasably coupled to the first entry point, and configured for receiving a fiber cable, and a second tube is releasably coupled to the second entry point, and configured for receiving and securing an existing conduit so that the fiber optic cable can be pushed through and installed into the conduit. The cable is driven through the device via a drive wheel that is coupled to a drive shaft being driven by a standard electric drill. To prevent slippage of the cable, a pincher wheel is adjusted up or down via a knob to ensure the fiber optic cable remains in contact with the drive wheel throughout the installation process.