Fiber Panel with Pivoting Cable Storage for Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable management systems for optical fiber stubs in moveable panels face challenges in storing overlength slack, which hinders the ability to move panels between racks or cabinets without disrupting fiber connections.
Innovation Solution
A rack-mountable fiber cable distribution panel with a pivoting cable storage portion that encloses and manages slack lengths, incorporating a fiber connection portion with adapter or splice capabilities, allowing for secure storage and relocation of panels while maintaining fiber connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a panel stores fiber optic cables internally, then the panel can be moved without disrupting connections, but the cable management system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cable storage portion inside the main panel body, with the cable management portion nested within the storage portion. The fiber optic cables are routed through nested channels, with spare cable length stored in an inner nested compartment that can be accessed when needed, allowing the panel to maintain connections during relocation while managing cable complexity through hierarchical organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics through the movable cable storage portion that can pivot between a closed position (storing cables internally) and an open position (allowing cable access and management). This dynamic structure enables the panel to transition between different operational states: during relocation the storage portion remains closed to protect connections, while during maintenance it can be opened to manage cables, thus maintaining reliability without permanent complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a panel includes both cable storage and splice/adapter areas, then the panel becomes more versatile, but the panel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the fiber connection portion to serve multiple functions: it can accommodate both spliced connections and adapter connections within the same structural area. The cable storage portion also serves dual purposes by providing both protection for stored cable length and access to the fiber connection portion. This multi-functionality allows the panel to be versatile (supporting different connection types and relocation) without requiring separate dedicated areas for each function, thus controlling overall panel volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cable storage function and the fiber connection function into a single integrated cable storage portion. The storage portion contains both the cable management area and the fiber connection portion, combining what could have been separate components into one unified structure. This merging reduces the total panel volume while maintaining both the adaptability for different connection types and the relocation capability.
3Ease of operation
If slack cable is stored inside the panel, then the panel can be relocated easily, but the cable storage space requires additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cable storage portion into distinct functional zones: an outer structural shell providing protection and mounting, an intermediate cable management portion for organizing and routing cables, and an inner storage compartment for holding spare cable length. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated relocatable unit, making panel relocation easier without requiring excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic pivot mechanism that allows the cable storage portion to rotate between closed and open positions. This dynamic structure enables easy relocation (with the storage portion closed and cables protected) while providing access for cable management (when opened). The pivot mechanism itself serves as the structural component that enables both relocation ease and cable storage functionality without requiring separate complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber cable distribution panel that may be structurally configured to provide enhanced panel configurations on a mounting rack. The panel may include a main portion configured to be coupled with a mounting rack; a cable storage portion that may configured to be coupled with the main portion; a cable management portion that may be configured to be located in an interior of the cable storage portion; and a fiber connection portion that may be configured to be located in the interior of the cable storage portion. The body portion and the cable storage portion may be configured to permit the cable management portion to receive an additional slack length of a fiber optic input cable while the fiber optic input cable is coupled with the fiber connection portion so as to provide slack cable storage in the interior of the cable storage portion when relocating of the panel to a different position on the mounting rack.