Optical Fiber Tray Clip for Pivoting Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cable tray systems lack a mechanism to limit access to specific trays and indicate their relationship with adjacent trays, which can lead to accidental access and splicing issues.
Innovation Solution
A clip that connects two optical fiber cable trays, allowing them to pivot together while limiting access to the lower tray and indicating their connection, using engagement portions and receiving portions to secure the trays in a mounting bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cable trays are mounted individually to allow independent access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental access and splicing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two cable trays into a single integrated unit through the coupling member that connects them together. This merging ensures that when one tray is accessed, both trays are exposed, preventing accidental access to the lower tray while maintaining operational ease through unified manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member acts as an intermediary element between the two cable trays. It mediates their relationship by mechanically linking them, ensuring that they move together as a single unit and preventing independent access to the lower tray without compromising operational accessibility.
2Reliability
If cable trays are connected to limit access to lower tray, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is segmented into distinct functional portions: upper engagement portion, lower engagement portion, and middle portion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function (engaging with tray lips, preventing separation) while keeping the overall design simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the two cable trays, prevents separation of the trays, allows pivoting motion, and limits access to the lower tray. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cable trays are rigidly connected, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to pivot
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member provides a dynamic connection that allows the cable trays to pivot relative to each other while maintaining stable connection. The engagement portions are designed to maintain contact during pivoting motion, enabling both stability and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism allows changes in the angular parameter between the two cable trays while maintaining structural integrity. The coupling member is designed to accommodate angular displacement during pivoting while keeping the trays connected, thus allowing ease of operation without sacrificing stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling member for connecting two optical fiber cable trays includes: a first portion; a second portion at a first end of the first portion; a third portion at a second end of the first portion; a first tray receiving portion at the first end of the first portion; and a second tray receiving portion at the second end of the first portion. The first tray receiving portion may be configured to receive a first one of two optical fiber cable trays; the second tray receiving portion may be configured to receive a second one of the two optical fiber cable trays; and the coupling member may be configured to connect the two optical fiber cable trays together such that the two optical fiber cable trays are configured to pivot together so as to limit access to the second one of the two optical fiber cable trays.