Fiber Optic Splice Jacket With Rotating Patch Cords
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cable management systems face difficulties in accessing optical fiber fittings due to complex configurations and the requirement for additional parts, leading to increased costs and reduced fiber density.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an optical fiber fitting shirt with three U-shaped faces and guidance pawns, allowing for translation and rotation degrees of freedom, and a cassette design with rectilinear and curved grooves for enhanced mobility and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cassettes are arranged in fixed horizontal positions in prior art patch panels, then the structure is simple and stable, but access to optical fiber fittings becomes difficult and requires additional parts for movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed-position cassette design into a dynamic system where cassettes can move along guide rails. The guide pins in rectilinear grooves enable translational movement, allowing operators to access fittings by sliding cassettes horizontally rather than manipulating complex locking mechanisms or disassembling parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the movement function from complex mechanical assemblies and simplifies it to guide pins moving in grooves. This separates the access function from the structural framework, allowing cassettes to move independently along predefined paths without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If multiple additional parts are used for cassette movement in prior art, then mobility is achieved, but costs increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the movement guidance function into the cassette structure itself through integrated guide pins. Rather than adding separate actuators, motors, or complex mechanical linkages, the guide pins are incorporated directly into the cassette body, combining structural support with movement capability in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cassettes are designed to be self-moving through the rectilinear groove mechanism. Operators simply apply force to slide cassettes along the guide rails, and the guide pins automatically follow the groove paths. This eliminates the need for powered actuators, controllers, or additional mechanical assistance systems.
3Productivity
If connectors are fixed in cassettes, then structural stability is maintained, but access speed and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of connectors within cassettes. The guide pins allow cassettes to move to different positions along the panel, and the vertical orientation of connectors with their larger sides extending along the vertical axis allows for easy identification and access. This dynamic positioning system replaces fixed, hard-to-reach connector arrangements.
4Ease of operation
If horizontal connector arrangement is used in prior art, then space utilization is optimized, but access difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal connector arrangement to vertical orientation, where the larger sides of connectors extend along the vertical axis. This dimensional change allows operators to access connectors from the front of the panel with natural hand movements, while the cassettes themselves are arranged horizontally to optimize space utilization. The vertical connector orientation provides better ergonomics without sacrificing horizontal space efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
This fiber optic patch cassette contains at least one pair of fiber optic patch cords. The patch cords are mounted vertically in the cassette and are free to move along a longitudinal axis. In at least one pair of patch cords, both patch cords are also free to rotate about a vertical axis, with one patch cord rotating in a first direction and the other patch cord rotating in a second direction opposite to the first.