Cable Routing Guide for Fiber Optic Module Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables become disorganized, misaligned, and stressed when fiber optic equipment trays or modules are extended and retracted, leading to cable management issues in high-density installations.
Innovation Solution
A cable routing guide with an arm and guide piece that attaches to a structure, allowing the fiber optic cable to move without changing length as the equipment tray or module moves, and includes a retainer to maintain the cable without tension or stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fiber optic equipment tray or module is extended and retracted to allow technician access, then the technician can access fiber optic adapters without removing the module, but the fiber optic cables become pulled, displaced, disorganized, misaligned, and stressed
Solution Approach 1:
A cable routing guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the movable module and the fixed cable infrastructure. The guide includes a guide piece that receives and directs the fiber optic cable, and an arm that moves with the module while maintaining proper cable routing geometry, thereby mediating between module movement and cable stability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable routing guide is designed with dynamic characteristics where the guide piece can move relative to the arm, and the arm itself moves with the module. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to module position changes while maintaining cable alignment and preventing stress through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation
2Device complexity
If the fiber optic cables are routed directly to the movable module, then the connection is simple, but the cables become tensed or stressed during tray movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing guide serves as a mediator that intercepts and properly directs cable forces. By positioning the guide piece to receive cables at appropriate angles and locations, and using the arm as a moving support structure, the system prevents direct transmission of tensile and bending stresses to the fiber optic cables during module movement
Solution Approach 2:
The cable routing guide is positioned and configured in advance to anticipate and prevent cable stress before it occurs. The guide piece geometry and positioning are designed to maintain proper cable routing and prevent excessive bending or tension during the full range of module motion, cushioning against potential damage
Data Source
AI summary
A cable routing guide attached to a fiber optic apparatus, such as a module positioned on a fiber optic equipment tray is disclosed. The cable routing guide is adapted to receive a length of at least one fiber optic cable intended to be connected to a cable connection point, such as a fiber optic adapter disposed on the module. The cable routing guide allows the at least one fiber optic cable to move in response to the fiber optic equipment tray or the module moving between a first position and a second position in a manner such that the length of the at least one fiber optic cable from the cable routing guide to the fiber optic adapter remains substantially unchanged. Moreover, the at least one fiber optic cable that is received by the cable routing guide may be retained and maintained by the cable routing guide without being tensed or stressed. In this manner, the at least one fiber optic cable that is routed to and through the fiber optic apparatus may not be affected by the movement of the module frame, the module, and/or the adapter between the first and second positions.