Fibre Optic Pulling Grip Assembly for Low-Diameter Cable Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of fiber optic cables through conduits or innerducts is challenging due to the risk of damage from excessive tension, stress, or tight bend radii, and existing pulling grip assemblies are cumbersome, require multiple tools, and are prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A fibre optic pulling grip assembly comprising a sleeve, connection sleeve, swivel pulling eye unit, and fitting, which allows for efficient and effective tension control and minimizes the diameter required for cable pulling, thereby reducing space concerns and the risk of cable damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire pulling grip is employed for longer distances, then the fiber optic cable can be pulled through conduits, but the pulling grip damages easily over time requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling grip is divided into modular components: a reusable rigid body and a replaceable wire mesh sleeve. This segmentation allows the durable rigid body to be retained while only the worn sleeve needs replacement, improving overall system reliability and reducing replacement frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mesh sleeve can be adjusted by tightening or loosening its mesh configuration to accommodate different fiber optic cable diameters. This parameter adjustment capability allows a single gripping mechanism to handle multiple cable sizes, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wire pulling grips are carried for different fiber optic cable diameters, then all cable sizes can be accommodated, but this is troublesome and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling grip assembly is designed as a universal tool that can accommodate fiber optic cables of various diameters. The wire mesh sleeve can be adjusted to fit different cable sizes, and the rigid body provides a standardized connection interface, eliminating the need for multiple specialized gripping tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mesh sleeve is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing it to be tightened or loosened to accommodate different cable diameters. This dynamic adjustment capability transforms a static, size-specific tool into a versatile, adaptive tool that works with multiple cable sizes.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wire pulling grips are used, then cable pulling can be performed, but wires need to be tightened to smooth out the mesh which requires gloves and technical experience
Solution Approach 1:
The wire mesh sleeve is pre-formed with a smooth, cable-receiving configuration before installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site mesh tightening and smoothing operations, reducing installation time and eliminating the need for protective gloves during the gripping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mesh sleeve is designed to self-adjust and self-form around the fiber optic cable during installation. The elastic properties of the mesh allow it to automatically conform to the cable diameter without requiring manual tightening or technical expertise, making the installation process more accessible to technicians with varying skill levels.
4Volume of moving object
If fiber optic cable is pulled by hand with a knot, then installation can be performed for short distances, but the knot defines a minimum diameter that is problematic when space is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The knot-tying requirement is completely eliminated by replacing manual hand-pulling with a mechanical pulling grip assembly. The gripping mechanism attaches directly to the cable strength member, removing the need for knots and thereby eliminating the minimum diameter constraint that knots impose on conduit space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A fibre optic pulling grip assembly, including a sleeve, connection sleeve, swivel pulling eye unit, fitting, clamp, and a securing unit is provided. The sleeve has a sleeve coupling portion and sleeve body. The connection sleeve has a connection sleeve head and connection sleeve body. The swivel pulling eye unit has a pulling eye swivel portion and pulling eye body. The connection sleeve body is configured for fixed assembly of the pulling eye body therewithin, the sleeve coupling portion is configured for fixed assembly of the connection sleeve body therewithin, and the fitting is configured for fixed assembly of the sleeve coupling portion therewithin. The clamp has a clamp securing portion and clamping portion. The securing unit moves longitudinally toward the clamping portion, such that the fitting is moved to assemble to the sleeve coupling portion, applying pressure to the sleeve coupling portion supported by the connection sleeve body.