Fiber Optic Cross Connect Tray Extension for Cable Bend Radius Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical cross connect systems cannot fully extend trays out of the rack due to cable length and bend radius constraints, limiting access to the rear of fiber optic cassettes or splice boxes during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A cross connect system with slideable trays and a sliding engagement mechanism, featuring an elongate link member and locking mechanisms, allows trays to move between fully recessed, partially extended, and fully extended positions, ensuring easy access to both front and rear of the cassettes while maintaining a constant cable bend radius.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If trays are fully extended out of the rack, then access to the rear of cassettes or splice boxes is improved, but cable bend radius constraints are violated causing potential cable damage
Solution Approach 1:
The tray extension mechanism is segmented into multiple positions (fully retracted, partially extended, fully extended) with locking mechanisms at each position. This allows the tray to be stopped at an intermediate position where the cable maintains proper bend radius while the tray is extended enough to provide access to the rear of cassettes.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable management component acts as an intermediary between the tray and external cables. This component guides and supports the cable as the tray extends, ensuring the cable maintains proper bend radius even when the tray is fully extended, thus preventing cable damage while enabling full access.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If trays are partially extended to maintain cable bend radius, then cable safety is improved, but access to the rear of cassettes during maintenance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tray positioning system is made dynamic with multiple lockable positions rather than a fixed position. The tray can be extended to different positions depending on the specific maintenance need, allowing optimal balance between cable safety and access requirements for different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-latching, automatically securing the tray at the desired position without requiring additional fastening steps. This allows operators to quickly position and secure the tray at the optimal extension point for cable safety while maintaining ease of access.
3Length of moving object
If a sliding engagement mechanism with elongate link member is used, then tray extendability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding engagement mechanism provides more extension capability than initially needed, allowing the tray to extend beyond what would be required for basic access. This excessive action capability ensures that even with the added mechanism complexity, the system can achieve full extension for maximum accessibility when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate link member is designed as a slender, flexible component that can slide within a confined space. This thin-film-like structure provides the necessary mechanical advantage for full tray extension without occupying excessive space or adding significant structural complexity to the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cross connect system comprising a case defining a tray receiving space and at least one tray slideable in and out of the space between a first closed position, a second intermediate position and a third open or accessible position and a sliding engagment between a sidewall of the case and a side edge of the tray is disclosed. The sliding engagment comprises an elongate link member which is stationary as the tray is moved between the first closed position and the second intermediate position and moves with the tray as the tray is moved between the second intermediate and the third open position and such that the elongate link member does not interfere with fiber optic cables which are interconnecting external devices with devices on the tray. In a particular embodiment the link member is held stationary by a releasable locking mechanism.