Floating Cable Spool Cover for Untangled Optical Fiber Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber cable storage devices suffer from uncontrolled and tangled deployment due to stored energy, leading to ripping of the cover during unwinding, which is a common issue in deploying fiber optic cables in various geographies and locations.
Innovation Solution
A cable storage device with a floating cover that revolves around a cylindrical storage structure, featuring a window region and edge guard, allowing controlled unwinding of optical fiber cables by maintaining structural integrity and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed cover is installed over the wound cable spool, then the cable deployment is controlled, but the cover rips during unwinding due to stored energy
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to float and rotate dynamically along the spool during cable unwinding, rather than being fixed. This allows the cover to adapt to the changing radius of the spool as cable is paid out, maintaining coverage and integrity while permitting smooth cable deployment without ripping
Solution Approach 2:
The cover's radial position changes as it floats along the spool, adapting to the decreasing radius during unwinding. This parameter change allows the cover to maintain proper engagement with the spool throughout the deployment process, preventing ripping while enabling continuous cable payout
2Ease of operation
If the cover is installed in a floating manner, then the cable can be unwound without ripping the cover, but uncontrolled and tangled deployment occurs due to spring effect
Solution Approach 1:
The floating cover acts as an intermediary between the stored energy in the wound cable and the cable payout process. By maintaining contact with the spool and rotating with it, the cover provides guidance and control that prevents tangled deployment while still allowing the spring effect to drive the unwinding process
Solution Approach 2:
The floating cover provides continuous feedback to the spool rotation through its engagement with the spool surface. As the cover floats and rotates, it responds to the spool's motion and helps regulate the cable payout, preventing uncontrolled tangling while maintaining ease of unwinding
3Device complexity
If a standard cable spool is used, then cable storage is simple, but excessive delays occur during deployment due to uncontrolled and tangled deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The addition of the floating cover transforms the static spool into a dynamic system where the cover rotates and adapts during cable payout. This simple dynamic addition prevents tangling and eliminates delays without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The floating cover functions as a flexible protective shell that rotates with the spool during unwinding. This thin film structure provides the necessary guidance and control to prevent tangled deployment while adding minimal complexity to the basic spool design
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 enables controlled and untangled deployment of optical fiber cables, preventing cover ripping and ensuring smooth unwinding, thus enhancing the efficiency of fiber optic cable deployment.
Implementation Method 1
The floating cover has a window region and is loosely engaged between the first side wall and the second side wall. The floating cover is configured to revolve around the cylindrical storage structure while retaining a radial position between the first side wall and the second sidewall when the optical fiber cable is unwound through the window region.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical fiber cable storage device (100) having a cable winding spool (104) defined by a cylindrical storage structure (116) confined between a first side wall (106) and a second side (108) forming a circumferential region (118) between the first side wall (106) and the second side (108). The cylindrical storage structure (116) is adapted to receive the optical fiber cable (107) when the optical fiber cable (110) is wound on the cable winding spool (104). In particular, the storage device (100) has a floating cover (112) is loosely engaged between the first side wall (106) and the second side wall (108). Further, the floating cover (112) has a window region (114) and is configured to revolve around the cylindrical storage structure (116) while the optical fiber cable (110) is unwound through the window region (114).