Optical Fiber Sheath Clamping and Sealing Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic network enclosures face challenges in securely attaching and sealing optical fiber sheaths without the need for threading them through holes, while providing environmental protection and bend radius control in outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber sheath attachment system comprising an attachment base with slots and gripping features, and a clamping member that secures the sheaths to the enclosure, allowing for sliding installation and sealing without threading, while providing bend radius protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical fiber sheaths are threaded through holes in the enclosure wall, then entry and exit of fibers is enabled, but environmental protection is compromised and threading complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the fiber entry system into separate functional components: an attachment base that seals against the enclosure wall, and a clamping member that secures the sheaths. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be isolated from the fiber routing function, enabling environmental protection without requiring threads through the enclosure wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment base acts as an intermediary component between the enclosure wall and the optical fiber sheaths. It provides a sealed mounting surface that prevents environmental ingress while allowing the sheaths to be attached and routed without penetrating the enclosure wall, thus mediating between the need for fiber access and environmental protection.
2Device complexity
If traditional tie wraps and foam are used for cable fixation, then simple attachment is achieved, but bend radius control and security are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping member features localized gripping surfaces with specific geometries designed to contact and secure the optical fiber sheaths at precise locations. These gripping features provide concentrated mechanical support exactly where needed to control bend radius and prevent damage, rather than relying on distributed but insufficient foam or tie wraps.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping member is designed with curved gripping surfaces that conform to the cylindrical shape of the optical fiber sheaths. This curvature allows the clamping member to apply uniform circumferential pressure, effectively controlling the bend radius of the sheaths while providing secure attachment, unlike flat or linear fixation methods.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple cable glands are installed at various locations, then fiber capacity is increased, but device complexity and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment base is designed as a universal mounting component that can be installed at multiple locations on the enclosure wall. Each attachment base provides complete sealing and fiber attachment functionality, allowing the same standardized component to be replicated across multiple ports to increase fiber capacity without introducing varying sealing complexities.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable element attachment system (300) attaches cable elements (80) to an entrance/exit location (140) of an enclosure (100). The system includes a base (600) and a clamp (700). The base attaches to the entrance/exit location and includes at least one slot (630), first gripping features (672), and a first attachment feature (664). The slot extends to an open end (632). The clamp includes second gripping features (772) positioned opposite of the first gripping features. Each of the gripping features grips the cable elements. The clamp further includes a second attachment feature (764) that attaches the clamp to the first attachment feature. The entrance/exit location may include a seal arrangement (500) that seals the cable elements to the entrance/exit location. The gripping features may deform the cable element both around its circumference and along its path and thereby retain the cable element.