Fiber Optic Cabinet Strain Relief for Flexible Duct Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strain relief devices for fiber optic cables in cabinets are integral to the cabinet and lack flexibility in cable and duct management, limiting positioning and furcation options.

Innovation Solution

A strain relief device comprising a first and second member, which can be installed onto a duct without direct connection to the cabinet, providing strain relief and force transfer to the duct, featuring a connector plate, medial plate, and cutting member for secure installation on a cable and duct.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If strain relief devices are directly mounted inside the cabinet and integral to the cabinet, then the cabinet structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but flexibility in cable and duct management is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcable and duct management flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The strain relief device is divided into separate components: a first strain relief member that interfaces with the cable and a second strain relief member that interfaces with the duct. This segmentation allows the device to be installed independently on ducts without being integral to the cabinet structure, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving flexibility in cable and duct management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If strain relief devices are fixed to the cabinet, then structural stability is improved, but positioning and furcation options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrain relief stabilityVSAvoidpositioning and furcation options
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The strain relief device acts as an intermediary between the cable and the duct, transferring forces directly to the duct rather than requiring fixation to the cabinet. The first strain relief member engages with the cable core element while the second strain relief member engages with the duct, creating a stable force transfer path that enables flexible positioning and furcation configurations without compromising strain relief stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If strain relief devices are installed independently on ducts, then flexibility in positioning is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidstrain relief device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first strain relief member and second strain relief member are merged into a single integrated strain relief device that can be installed as one unit on the duct. This combining of functions reduces the overall complexity compared to using separate cabinet-mounted components while maintaining the flexibility benefits of independent duct installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3861393B1Strain relief device in fiber optic cabinets
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 CORNING RES & DEV CORP
  • EP3861393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3861393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3861393B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A strain relief device for use in a fiber optic cabinet includes a first strain relief member and a second strain relief member. The first strain relief member has a connector plate with a first plate section having a plate aperture and a second plate section integral with the first plate section, a medial plate integral with the second plate section configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the second plate section; and a cutting member integral with the medial plate, including a cutting surface configured to cut into a duct. The second relief member includes a member body having a wall with an opening and a connection element disposed within the opening, with the second strain relief member and the first strain relief member begin configured to connect such that the strain relief device is disconnected from a fiber optic cabinet.