Fiber Optic Adapter Frame With Integrated Parking Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber optic terminal management systems lack efficient mechanisms for parking unused fiber optic connectors, leading to space constraints, accessibility issues, and the need for additional fiber optic slack.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an adapter frame with integrated parking elements adjacent to the adapter openings, allowing for efficient storage of unused fiber optic connectors without the need for additional slack, and a movable coupling mechanism that allows the adapter frame to transition between stowed and working positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated parking spaces for unused connectors are provided, then connector storage capability is improved, but accessibility to parking locations deteriorates and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector storage capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility to parking locations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter frame is designed to move between a stowed position (integrally with the mount) and a working position (disengaged and movable), adding a spatial dimension to the parking mechanism. This allows connectors to be easily accessed during maintenance while maintaining compact integration during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between storage capability and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If parking mechanisms are integrated into the fiber optic terminal, then space efficiency is improved, but the ability to accommodate unused connectors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidability to accommodate unused connectors
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for active connectors, offers parking spaces for unused connectors, and can move between stowed and working positions. This multi-functionality allows the same component to accommodate both active and unused connectors efficiently, resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If additional fiber optic slack is introduced for connector movement, then ease of connector parking is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connector parkingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter frame is designed as a movable component that can transition between stowed and working positions, providing dynamic adaptability during connector parking operations. This dynamic design allows easy connector access without requiring excessive static slack, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4556975A1Fiber optic cable management apparatus and terminal
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 CORNING RES & DEV CORP
  • EP4556975A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4556975A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4556975A1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2E

AI summary

This application relates to a fiber optic cable management apparatus and terminal. The fiber optic cable management apparatus comprises an adapter frame having a plurality of adapter openings arranged in a row; and a plurality of fiber optic adapters held in the plurality of adapter openings so as to be arranged in a row, the plurality of fiber optic adapters being configured to receive a predetermined number of fiber optic connectors of a first type. The adapter frame further comprises: a plurality of parking elements arranged in a row that is adjacent to the row of fiber optic adapters, the plurality of parking elements being configured to receive the predetermined number of fiber optic connectors of the first type in a manner such that each of the fiber optic connectors can be stored adjacent to one of the fiber optic adapters.