Fiber Optic Connector Parking Device Angled Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic terminal designs face challenges in efficiently storing and organizing large quantities of unused connectors and cables, leading to space constraints and potential interference between components, which can result in awkward equipment size and obtrusiveness.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic parking device with a support wall and platform featuring connector slips angled at an acute angle, integrated mounts, and spring arms to securely store and route connectors, reducing the need for sharp bends in cables and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large quantity of unused connectors are stored in the terminal, then the terminal can accommodate future connections, but the space within the terminal is consumed and the terminal becomes larger and more obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The parking device is integrated within the terminal structure, with connectors nested within the parking device housing. The spring arms are contained within the housing and collapse around connectors when inserted. This nesting arrangement allows the terminal to accommodate future connections without increasing overall terminal size, as each component is contained within the previous one.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking device utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by arranging connectors at angled orientations rather than linearly. The spring arms collapse radially around connectors from multiple directions, and the housing is positioned to optimize spatial utilization within the terminal footprint, thereby increasing storage capacity without proportionally increasing terminal area.
2Area of stationary object
If connectors are stored in a compact arrangement, then space is optimized, but cable routing becomes more difficult and may require sharp bends
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arms are designed with curved surfaces that collapse radially around the cylindrical connector bodies. This curved, radial collapse pattern allows cables to be routed smoothly around the connectors without sharp bends, as the curved geometry of the spring arms naturally guides the cable path while maintaining compact storage space.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional connector storage methods are used, then implementation is simple, but organization and space utilization are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The parking device is divided into multiple independent spring arms, each capable of holding a connector. This segmentation allows for modular assembly and straightforward manufacturing of individual components that can be easily assembled into the complete parking device. Each spring arm is a discrete unit that can be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking device combines multiple storage functions into a single integrated housing structure. The housing simultaneously provides structural support, cable management pathways, and protection for all spring arms and connectors. This merging of functions into one compact unit achieves efficient space utilization while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized manufacturing processes.
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 solution effectively organizes and routes fiber optic connectors and cables, reducing the required space for storage and minimizing interference, thus enhancing the compactness and usability of fiber optic terminals while maintaining efficient connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
Each slip may include a pair of spring arms spaced apart from each other that extend along the axis and that collapse around a connector body to hold the connector in the slip
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fiber optic parking device includes a support wall having front and rear sides, and also includes at least one mount extending outwardly from the rear side of the support wall and defining a first plane. The fiber optic parking device further includes a platform extending outwardly from the front side of the support wall and defining a second plane, the platform including a plurality of connector slips. Each of the connector slips extends along a corresponding axis parallel to the second plane and intersecting the first plane at an acute angle.