Fiber Management Tray and Cable Guide for High-Density Rack Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber management in fiber optic telecommunications and data centers faces challenges with increased fiber-count density, as existing devices require additional space and volume beyond the rack-unit, leading to inefficient patch cord and cable management.

Innovation Solution

A telecommunications panel with a fiber management tray and cable management guide, featuring an adjustment arm assembly and articulatable sidewalls, allows for flexible adjustment and access to cable routing areas, accommodating up to 288 fibers per RU without requiring additional rack space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fiber-count density is increased to 288 fibers per rack-unit, then fiber density is improved, but patch cord and cable management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber-count densityVSAvoidcable management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system is segmented into multiple cable management guides (CMGs) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each CMG can be separately manipulated to route specific cables, allowing operators to manage individual cable bundles within the larger 288-fiber system without having to handle all cables simultaneously, thus maintaining ease of operation at high fiber densities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management guides are designed with adjustable and movable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration of cable routing paths. The CMGs can be repositioned along the rack-unit structure and adjusted to accommodate different cable routing requirements, enabling flexible cable management that adapts to the high-density fiber configuration rather than being fixed and rigid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If fiber-count density is increased to 288 fibers per rack-unit, then fiber density is improved, but additional area and volume beyond the rack-unit is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber-count densityVSAvoidrack space
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management guides and fiber management devices are nested within the existing rack-unit structure. The CMGs are positioned inside the rack-unit enclosure, with cables routed through channels and passages that are integrated into the rack framework. This nesting approach allows the system to accommodate 288 fibers per rack-unit while containing all management components within the same rack footprint, eliminating the need for additional rack space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the vertical dimension and three-dimensional space within the rack-unit by positioning cable management guides at multiple heights and depths. Cables are routed through vertically stacked CMGs and horizontally through integrated channels, effectively using the volume of the rack-unit in all three dimensions rather than requiring additional horizontal rack space, thus achieving high fiber density within the constrained rack footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If fiber-count density is increased to 288 fibers per rack-unit, then fiber density is improved, but cable routing and access becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber-count densityVSAvoidcable routing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management guides are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can handle multiple cables simultaneously while providing standardized routing paths. Each CMG serves multiple functions: it guides multiple cables, provides structural support, enables access points, and facilitates future reconfiguration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each cable or function, thereby managing the complexity of routing 288 fibers through a standardized, versatile system rather than requiring unique solutions for each cable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4707892A1Telecommunications panel and fiber management structures
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 AFL COMM LLC
  • EP4707892A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707892A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4707892A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A telecommunications panel (100) includes a body (110) having a cassette opening (112), a fiber management tray (160), and a cable management guide (140). An adjustment arm assembly (120) is attachable to a frame and includes a first sleeve (122) having a first mount interface (121) attachable to the frame and a second sleeve (126) having a second mount interface (123) attachable to the fiber management tray (160). The first sleeve (122) includes a first sleeve opening (132) configured to receive a latch assembly selectively permitting adjustment of the second sleeve (126) along a depth direction to and from the first sleeve (122). The fiber management tray (160) is attachable to the second mount interface (123). The tray (160) includes a platform having a platform opening. The cable management guide (140) includes a guide frame having a plurality of sidewalls with a selectively openable passage providing access to a cable routing area. An insert member extends from the guide frame and is selectively positioned into the platform opening.