Fiber Optic Module Chassis With Compressible Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic equipment chassis designs face challenges in efficiently inserting and removing fiber optic modules from both front and rear access points, particularly in supporting a high density of modules with varying orientations and configurations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates module guides with guide rails and movable tabs that allow for compression to disengage catches, enabling modules to be inserted and removed from either access point, with a geometry that allows for a smaller width to facilitate removal, and supports up to 52 modules in various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If modules are designed with fixed width to engage with guide rails, then module stability is improved, but module removal from both front and rear access points becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The module width is made dynamically adjustable through compressible tabs that can be pressed inward. During installation or removal, the tabs are compressed to reduce module width, allowing clearance past the guide rail ends. Once installed, the tabs return to their original position, providing stable engagement. This dynamic width adjustment enables both stable installation and easy removal from either front or rear access points.
2Reliability
If guide catches are designed to firmly engage with tab catches, then module retention is improved, but module insertion and removal operations become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tab catches are designed to be movable rather than fixed. During insertion or removal operations, the tabs can be compressed inward, causing the tab catches to disengage from the guide catches. This dynamic disengagement mechanism allows easy module insertion and removal while maintaining firm retention during normal operation when the tabs are in their uncompressed state.
3Quantity of substance
If chassis is designed to support high density of modules, then space utilization is improved, but access and operation of individual modules becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into multiple independent module guides, each capable of holding individual modules. This segmentation allows modules to be accessed, installed, or removed independently from adjacent modules. The front and rear access points provide additional segmentation of access paths, enabling operators to reach individual modules in high-density configurations without needing to remove neighboring modules.
4Ease of operation
If module geometry is designed for smaller width to facilitate removal, then module removal capability is improved, but module stability during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The module employs a dynamic width mechanism where compressible tabs can be pressed inward to temporarily reduce the module width. During removal operations, the tabs are compressed to create clearance for passing the module guide ends. During normal operation, the tabs maintain their original position, ensuring stable engagement with the guide rails. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between removable geometry and operational stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are described for a fiber optic equipment chassis. The chassis may have a bottom plate and a top plate positioned such that the plates form a front chassis access and a rear chassis access. The chassis may include five module guides each having module guide channels for insertion and removal of fiber optic modules. The modules have two guide rails and movable tabs arranged in tab pairs to the front and to the rear. A tab catch on each of the tabs is configured to engage with guide catches and disengage when either tab pair is compressed toward a centerline of the module. The geometry of the modules provide a smaller total width than a distance between adjacent module guides while either pair of tabs is compressed. The smaller width can support removal of the fiber optic module from both the front access and the rear access.