Fiber Ribbon Storage Box with Curved Bend Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic termination boxes face challenges in securely storing and routing ribbon fiber optic cables, which are fragile and resistant to shape changes, leading to difficulties in organized routing and increased risk of damage during splicing operations.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a termination box with curve-shaped bend controls and a splice retention cradle that secures exposed ribbon fiber segments, allowing for the formation of quadruple loops that are efficiently routed and secured using routing clips, preventing acute shape changes and protecting the fibers from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ribbon fiber optic cable is exposed and routed in a termination box, then splicing operations can be performed, but the ribbon fiber is fragile and resistant to shape changes, leading to organized routing difficulties and increased damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved routing paths and rounded bends for the ribbon fiber optic cable within the termination box, avoiding acute angles and sharp turns. The cable is routed along curved surfaces and through rounded channels, which accommodate the ribbon fiber's resistance to shape changes while maintaining organized routing and preventing damage during splicing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The termination box is divided into multiple compartments and routing sections that separately manage different cable segments. The ribbon fiber is segmented into controlled sections with dedicated routing paths, allowing splicing operations on individual segments while protecting other portions, thereby reducing overall damage risk.
2Reliability
If ribbon fiber is stored in an organized fashion to protect from damage, then reliability improves, but the ribbon is resistive to acute changes in shape and tends to resist organized routing
Solution Approach 1:
The routing structure utilizes pre-formed curved channels and rounded guides that match the natural bend radius of the ribbon fiber. This eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while providing organized routing that protects the fiber from damage by accommodating its resistance to acute shape changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The termination box design allows the ribbon fiber to self-route through curved channels and rounded guides without requiring external manipulation or complex positioning mechanisms. The fiber's own physical properties are leveraged to maintain organized routing and protection throughout the device.
3Reliability
If multiple routing clips are used to secure the quadruple loop, then the ribbon fiber remains protected and organized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple routing clips are combined into integrated mounting structures or clusters that secure the quadruple loop at multiple points simultaneously. Rather than treating each clip as a separate component, they are merged into unified attachment mechanisms that reduce the perceived complexity while maintaining the protective and organizational functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic termination box includes a planar back section, outer walls, an exterior cable port formed in an outer wall, and a bend control structure. The bend control structure includes first and second curved planar sections that extend away from the from the planar back section, and first and second planar tabs that attach respectively to top edges of the first and second curved planar sections. The first curved planar section includes a first lower edge side, and a first bend that towards the second curved planar section. The second curved planar section includes a second lower edge side, and a second bend that curves towards the first curved planar section. The first planar tab extends in an opposite direction as the first bend. The second planar tab extends in an opposite direction as the second bend.