Fiber Shelf Break-out Plate Knockout Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic shelf assemblies require technicians to maintain an inventory of both blank and bulkhead adapter plates, complicating installation as they need to be installed separately based on the requirement for connector attachment features, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a bulkhead panel with a knock-out panel portion joined to mounting flange portions via frangible web members, allowing for easy removal and replacement without the need for separate blank adapter plates, simplifying installation by allowing a single adapter plate to serve multiple configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapter plates (blank and bulkhead) are maintained in inventory, then connector attachment features are available for different configurations, but installation complexity and inventory management become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead panel is designed with a knockout portion that can be removed to expose mounting flange portions, allowing the same panel to serve both as a bulkhead (when knockout is present) and as a mounting surface (when knockout is removed), eliminating the need for separate blank and bulkhead adapter plates
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead panel is segmented into a knockout portion and mounting flange portions connected by frangible web members, allowing the knockout portion to be selectively removed to change the panel's configuration and function
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapter plates are maintained in inventory, then different connector configurations are supported, but the quantity of components to manage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single bulkhead panel design with removable knockout portions can replace multiple separate adapter plates (blank and bulkhead), reducing inventory quantity while maintaining the ability to support different connector configurations through selective knockout removal
3Reliability
If separate blank and bulkhead adapter plates are installed, then appropriate connector attachment is achieved, but installation time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead panel is pre-configured with knockout portions and mounting flange portions during manufacturing, so that during installation the technician only needs to selectively remove knockouts rather than install entirely separate adapter plates, significantly reducing installation time
Data Source
AI summary
Enclosures for supporting fiber optic hardware or managing fiber optic cables are disclosed. An example enclosure includes a bulkhead panel extending outward from and extending across a surface of the enclosure. The bulkhead panel includes at least two mounting flange portions rigidly attached to or integrally formed with the floor, each mounting flange comprising openings adapted to receive a bulkhead adapter plate fastener for securing a bulkhead adapter plate. The bulkhead further includes a knock-out panel portion interposed between and integrally formed with two of the mounting flange portions. This knock-out panel portion is joined to (i) the surface via one or more frangible web members, or (ii) to each of the two mounting flange portions with one or more frangible web members, or (iii) both, where the one or more frangible web members are dimensioned to permit removal of the knock-out panel portion by an installer-supplied force or blow.