U-Shaped Fiber Optic Conduit for Shelf Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density fiber optic networks face space constraints in termination points, making it challenging to efficiently route and organize fiber optic cables within limited spaces, such as small cabinets and data centers, where traditional designs often lack adequate space for cable management and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A conduit structure with an elongated floor section and planar sidewalls forming a U-shaped enclosure, equipped with fastening and engagement anchors, is used to route fiber optic cables through a fiber optic shelf, allowing secure attachment to mounting rails and maintaining cable organization within the shelf, thereby optimizing space usage and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fiber optic cassettes are mounted in a horizontal array with front sides facing an open side of the shelf to provide easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the amount of available space to route cabling and make terminations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit utilizes the depth dimension of the shelf by extending from the front opening toward the rear, creating a three-dimensional cable management solution. This allows cables to be routed along the depth axis rather than competing for horizontal space, effectively adding a new spatial dimension for cable organization without interfering with front-access operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit acts as an intermediary structure between the cassette mounting area and the rear of the shelf. It provides a dedicated intermediate space for cable routing, separating cable management functions from the cassette access area. This mediator structure allows cables to pass through organized channels without obstructing the front-facing cassette ports or requiring additional horizontal space.
2Quantity of substance
If the shelf approaches maximum capacity with multiple arrays of fiber optic cassettes, then the quantity of fiber optic terminations is increased, but the space available for organizing fiber optic cables is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is divided into distinct functional segments: a fastening anchor portion for mounting, an elongated body for cable routing, and an engagement anchor for securing at the rear. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function efficiently. The elongated body is further conceptually divided into regions for different cable types or destinations, enabling organized segmentation of multiple cables as the shelf capacity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for cables, establishes organized routing paths, prevents cable tangling, and facilitates future cable additions. The same basic conduit design can be applied regardless of the number of cassettes or cable types, making it a universal solution that scales with shelf capacity without increasing complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a conduit is added to provide dedicated cable routing space, then cable organization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: mounting attachment, cable routing channel, and rear securing mechanism are merged into one component. This eliminates the need for separate cable trays, clips, and mounting brackets, actually reducing overall device complexity while providing stable cable organization. The U-shaped cross-section merges structural support with cable containment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit employs a thin-walled U-shaped enclosure that provides sufficient structural integrity for cable support while minimizing material usage and structural complexity. The elongated body acts as a flexible yet stable channel that can accommodate cable movement and expansion without requiring complex reinforcement or rigid support structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit for passing fiber optic cables through a fiber optic shelf includes a floor section and two sidewalls joining opposing sides of the floor extending towards a top of the conduit. The sidewalls and floor form a u-shaped enclosure having an opening at the top. A fastening anchor having a first tab joins the floor and extends away from the top perpendicular to the floor. A fastener perforation on the first tab is dimensioned to receive a fastener for affixing a fiber optic cassette to a fiber optic shelf. An engagement anchor joins the floor at an opposite end from the fastening anchor and extends away from the top. A protrusion on the engagement anchor extends towards the first tab so as to engage a fastener perforation of a mounting rail in the fiber optic shelf and secure the conduit to the mounting rail.