Fibreglass Network Distributor Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic network distribution cabinets are heavy and costly due to a large, metal rear wall for stability, which makes them inflexible and prone to damage in impacts, especially when exposed to vehicular collisions.
Innovation Solution
A reduced-size metal upright wall with cable holding elements attached to a base plate, allowing for a dense arrangement of fiber optic cables, and elastic cable guide elements to manage tensile forces, with a breakable base plate design to absorb impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large metal rear wall is used for stability, then the cabinet structure is stable and strong, but the cabinet becomes heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wall structure is segmented into a metal frame providing structural strength and a plastic rear panel providing surface coverage. This division allows the metal components to be minimized for strength while the plastic components provide coverage without adding excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet employs composite construction combining metal frame elements with plastic housing and rear panel. This composite approach leverages the high strength-to-weight ratio of plastic while using minimal metal only where structurally necessary, reducing overall weight while maintaining strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large metal rear wall is used for stability, then the cabinet structure is stable, but the cabinet becomes inflexible and prone to impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wall assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics through the plastic material selection and mounting configuration, allowing it to flex and absorb impact energy rather than remaining rigid. The plastic rear panel can deform elastically under impact while the metal frame maintains overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameters of the rear wall are changed from solid metal to plastic with specific mechanical properties that provide both stability and impact flexibility. The plastic material's inherent damping characteristics and lower modulus of elasticity allow it to absorb impact energy while maintaining structural stability during normal operation.
3Strength
If a full-coverage rear wall is used, then the cabinet is structurally sound, but material usage and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wall is segmented into essential structural metal frame elements and non-structural plastic panel areas. This segmentation eliminates unnecessary metal material while maintaining structural integrity through strategic placement of metal supports and bracing elements only where required for strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic rear panel serves as a cost-effective alternative to full metal construction. While plastic has lower structural properties than metal, it provides sufficient functionality for the rear wall application and is significantly cheaper and lighter, reducing overall material quantity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a lighter, less expensive cabinet that minimizes damage from impacts by releasing the base plate and upright wall, while maintaining a dense cable arrangement and preventing fiber optic cable damage.
Implementation Method 1
elastic cable guide elements to manage tensile forces
Implementation Method 2
breakable base plate design to absorb impact
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The fiber optic network distribution cabinet with a housing in which fiber optic cables can be routed from a lower entry area to splice points, wherein the housing has a rear wall, a top wall, side walls and an opening door, wherein furthermore a pivotable wall is hinged in the housing between its rear wall and the door, on the front of which the splice points are located and wherein the cable entry area is located behind the pivotable wall, is characterized in that a base plate is attached to the entry area, which has slots for guiding the fiber optic cables/micropipes arriving from below into the housing, and that the base plate is provided at its rear edge with an upright wall to which cable retaining elements are attached, to which the inserted fiber optic cables/micropipes can be fastened.