Flexible Cable Guide for Fiber Optic Tray Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables entering enclosures often get snagged on slideable trays, leading to damage or hindering the tray's movement, due to limited accessibility and space constraints in installations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cable guide with a curved intermediate section and spaced cable retainers interconnected by an elongate flexible side band, which secures fiber optic cables and allows them to move with the tray without strain, preventing fouling and impeding other trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fiber optic cables enter the enclosure via the front, then accessibility for servicing is improved, but the cables become snagged on the trays causing damage or hindering movement
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cable guide acts as an intermediary element between the fiber optic cables and the slideable trays. The cable guide has a curved intermediate section that maintains constant curvature during tray sliding, allowing cables to move with the tray without strain while preventing direct contact between cables and trays that would cause snagging
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide is constructed with flexible materials including an elongate flexible side band and flexible covers that can bend and move with the tray. This flexibility allows the cable guide to maintain constant curvature during tray sliding while protecting the cables from damage
2Ease of operation
If slideable trays are provided for ease of access to modules, then accessibility is improved, but fiber optic cables become snagged on the trays
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable guide serves as a mediator between the trays and cables, with its curved intermediate section preventing cables from contacting the trays directly. The cable guide moves with the tray while maintaining constant curvature, eliminating the harmful snagging effect
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide is segmented into multiple functional sections: a first end for attachment to the enclosure, a curved intermediate section with constant curvature, and a second end for attachment to the tray. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function while working together as a complete system
3Ease of operation
If the tray is made moveable for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but cable strain and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide uses flexible materials including an elongate flexible side band and flexible covers that can bend and move with the tray during sliding. This flexibility ensures cables move with the tray without strain while maintaining constant curvature protection
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate section of the cable guide is designed with a curved geometry that maintains constant curvature during tray sliding. This curved configuration allows the cables to follow a smooth path without sharp bends or strain, protecting cable strength while enabling tray movement
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable comprising a tray configured to move between a first position and a second position and a guide. A first end portion of the guide is configured to move relative to the tray during operation and a second end portion is configured to move with the tray during operation. The guide comprises a bend limiting passage configured to follow a curve shape having a radius that is greater than a predetermined minimum bend radius and such that an optic fiber that is received between the first end portion of the guide and the second end portion of the guide follows the curve shape so as to prevent the optic fiber from becoming snagged on the tray, hindering movement of the tray or becoming overly bent during operation of the assembly.