Fiber Optic Splicing Assembly Wall-Mounted Reel Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber optic splicing enclosures are unable to efficiently manage optical cables with diameters larger than standard fibers, leading to issues with storage and maintenance due to the need for reserved cable lengths and the inability to embed reels within mounting walls, affecting appearance and space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A fiber optic splicing assembly with a reel system that can be partially embedded in a mounting wall, featuring a retractable and expandable reel mechanism, allowing for axial movement and rotation, enabling efficient storage and management of optical cables and fibers while maintaining a compact appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a reel for pre-storing optical cable is provided in conventional fiber optic splicing enclosures, then the optical cable can be pre-stored, but the reel cannot be embedded and mounted in a mounting wall, occupying large volume and negatively influencing appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical cable storage capacityVSAvoidreel volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reel is nested within the mounting wall structure. The mounting wall contains a cavity that receives the reel, allowing the reel to be hidden inside the wall when not in use. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external reel housing while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from horizontal space occupation (external reel) to vertical space utilization (wall thickness). By embedding the reel within the mounting wall's depth dimension, the external footprint is minimized while preserving storage functionality.

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

2Ease of operation

If a reel is exposed outside the mounting wall, then the optical cable can be accessed, but it occupies large volume and has negative influence on appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The reel is extracted from the external space and relocated to the internal cavity of the mounting wall. Only the necessary cable access portion extends outward, separating the storage function (hidden) from the access function (visible).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reel is pre-positioned within the mounting wall during installation. The mounting wall structure is designed with a pre-formed cavity that accommodates the reel, eliminating the need for external mounting and preserving appearance from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If conventional fiber storing devices are used, then they can store redundant fiber, but they are not adapted to store optical cable having diameter larger than fiber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber storage capacityVSAvoidcable diameter compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reel mechanism is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate different cable diameters. The reel structure includes adjustable components and sufficient radial clearance to handle both thin fibers and thick optical cables, eliminating the need for device-specific configurations.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reel design allows parameter adjustments including radial width, axial length, and rotational inertia to accommodate varying cable diameters. The mounting wall cavity is dimensioned to provide adequate space for larger diameter cables while maintaining compatibility with standard fiber sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2883100B1Fiber optic splicing assembly
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 ADC COMM AUSTRALIA
  • EP2883100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2883100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2883100B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fiber optic splicing assembly mountable to a mounting wall with a mounting hole, comprising: a splicing panel of which a front side is configured to mount a fiber optic splicing device for splicing fibers; a fiber storing device configured to be at least partially received in the mounting hole, one end of the fiber storing device is removably mounted to the splicing panel. A reel of the fiber storing device has a contracting state where the reel is contracted within the mounting hole and an expansion state where the reel is extended out of the mounting hole. A cable or fiber having sufficient length is pre-stored in the reel before installing the splicing panel, an operator can conveniently and quickly pull the cable or fiber from the fiber optic splicing assembly, and manage and operate the redundant cable or fiber.