Fiber-Optic Splice Tray With 3D Offset Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-optic storage trays have low density and require multiple trays to accommodate splices, leading to difficult access and increased risk of damage during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-optic storage tray design with offset splices in both the direction of their length and depth, utilizing retaining members and leverage portions to secure splices, allowing for double the storage capacity without increasing volume and improving access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple fiber-optic storage trays are stacked to accommodate required splices, then storage capacity is improved, but access difficulty increases and risk of damage during maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by offsetting adjacent splices not only in the depth direction but also in the lateral direction (direction of splice length). This creates a staggered three-dimensional arrangement that increases storage capacity while maintaining easy access to all splices from the front, eliminating the need to stack multiple trays.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional storage tray design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but storage density decreases requiring larger volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves higher storage density in a compact volume by utilizing offset positioning in multiple dimensions (depth and lateral directions), maximizing the use of three-dimensional space within the tray without increasing its external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray design incorporates nested structures with retaining members and leverage portions that efficiently organize and secure splices in a compact arrangement, allowing maximum utilization of internal space.
3Quantity of substance
If splices are arranged in traditional configuration, then structural simplicity is maintained, but storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented into multiple retention positions with individual retaining members for each splice, allowing independent organization and securement of each splice while maintaining an overall simple tray structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining members and leverage portions are integrated nested structures within the tray, providing enhanced functionality without adding external complexity or increasing the tray's overall size.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-optic storage tray is disclosed, comprising a fiber splicing portion; wherein the fiber splicing portion is configured to retain a plurality of optical fiber splices, such that adjacent optical fiber splices are offset with respect to one another in the direction of the depth of the tray and the adjacent optical fiber splices are also offset with respect to one another in the direction of their length.