Fiber Optic Terminal Enclosure With Right-Angle Sealed Cable Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sealing and transitioning fiber optic cables into enclosures for fiber-to-the-home deployments are bulky and lack efficient water-tight connections, using heat shrinks and grommets, which do not provide optimal space efficiency and security.
Innovation Solution
A unique transition design with an integrated chip holder for easy fan-out of fibers, a threaded insert for secure attachment, and a wedge-shaped retention mechanism, sealed by an O-ring, uses epoxy for water blocking and cable retention, facilitating easy assembly and strain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional outdoor enclosures are used for fiber optic terminals, then protection from elements is provided, but condensation forms on interior surfaces causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested insulation structure where an outer insulation layer and an inner insulation layer are positioned between the enclosure wall and the fiber optic components. This nested arrangement creates thermal barriers that prevent condensation while maintaining protection from external elements, resolving the contradiction between environmental protection and condensation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation layers act as intermediary elements between the external environment and the interior components. These intermediaries thermal buffer prevents temperature differentials that cause condensation, while the enclosure itself continues to provide protection from elements, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Area of stationary object
If fiber optic terminals are placed in existing electrical telephone closets, then space utilization is improved, but fire hazards increase due to plastic insulation and terminations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fire hazard issue by removing plastic insulation materials from the enclosure construction. The enclosure is built entirely from fire-resistant materials such as metal and fire-rated gypsum board, eliminating the fire risk associated with plastic while maintaining space-efficient installation in electrical closets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction using fire-resistant materials including metal framing, fire-rated gypsum board, and other non-combustible materials. This composite approach maintains the space utilization benefits of existing electrical closets while eliminating fire hazards through material substitution.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If indoor enclosures are used for fiber optic terminals, then protection from condensation is provided, but vulnerability to theft and vandalism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic security system where the enclosure can be installed in various locations (indoors or outdoors) depending on security requirements. The modular design with fire-resistant materials and optional outdoor rating allows adaptation to different security environments, providing both condensation protection and theft resistance through flexible deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of fire-resistant and potentially outdoor-rated composite materials provides inherent security benefits. These robust materials resist both condensation and physical damage from theft or vandalism, resolving the contradiction between indoor protection and outdoor security requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used in fiber optic terminal enclosures, then ease of manufacture is improved, but fire resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces plastic materials with fire-resistant composite materials including metal framing and fire-rated gypsum board. While these materials require different manufacturing processes, the modular design maintains ease of assembly, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and fire resistance through material substitution and standardized construction methods.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
A terminal enclosure with a terminal base with a hole; a terminal lid with an adapter mounting face and a mounting hole in the mounting face; a right angle transition body with first and second ends; an adapter which passes through the mounting hole and is mounted to the mounting face; and a fiber optic cable, attached to the second end of the right angle transition body, with an optical fiber with a connector at one end. The mounting face is formed at an angle α, between 0 and 180 degrees, from a plane formed where the terminal lid and base meet. The optical fiber connector is connected to the adapter. The first end of the right angle transition body passes through the terminal base hole. The terminal base and terminal lid are configured to be attached together.