Foldable Fiber Optic Distribution Box With Self-Locking Cover

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber optic distribution boxes are cumbersome to rearrange and lack scalability in accommodating optical cables, as they typically house multiple cables together and have limited capacity.

Innovation Solution

A foldable cable distribution box design featuring a base plate, proximal and distal walls, latches, and a cover plate with a locking mechanism, allowing for secure cable wrapping and easy assembly with adjacent boxes via snap fits, enabling scalable capacity and flexible installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple optical cables are wrapped together in the same fiber optic distribution box, then the box provides secure housing for connectors and splice units, but it becomes cumbersome to rearrange the optical cables and the box capacity is not scalable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure housing for connectors and splice unitsVSAvoidrearrangement of optical cables

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution box is divided into multiple independent cable compartments, each capable of holding and organizing cables separately. This segmentation allows individual compartments to be accessed and rearranged without affecting other cables, solving the cumbersomeness of rearrangement while maintaining secure housing through dedicated compartment structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces vertical stacking of cable compartments, transitioning from a single-plane cable arrangement to a multi-level three-dimensional structure. This allows cables to be organized across multiple vertical levels, increasing capacity and enabling independent access to each level without disturbing others, thus improving both scalability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple optical cables are wrapped together in the same fiber optic distribution box, then the box provides secure housing for connectors and splice units, but the box capacity to accommodate the optical cables is not scalable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure housing for connectors and splice unitsVSAvoidscalability of box capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution box is divided into multiple independent cable compartments, each capable of holding and organizing cables separately. This segmentation allows individual compartments to be accessed and rearranged without affecting other cables, solving the cumbersomeness of rearrangement while maintaining secure housing through dedicated compartment structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces vertical stacking of cable compartments, transitioning from a single-plane cable arrangement to a multi-level three-dimensional structure. This allows cables to be organized across multiple vertical levels, increasing capacity and enabling independent access to each level without disturbing others, thus improving both scalability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a foldable cover plate design is used, then the cable distribution box allows easy rearrangement and scalable capacity, but the structure becomes more complex with latch and locking mechanism components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy rearrangement of cablesVSAvoidstructure with latch and locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the cover plate is folded into position, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. The cover plate's folding action itself triggers the latching mechanism, making the system self-securing and reducing operational complexity despite the presence of additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection acts as an intermediary between the cover plate and base plate, providing a natural folding axis that simplifies the overall mechanism. This hinge-mediated folding motion naturally drives the latching action, reducing the need for complex actuation systems while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12050357B2Fiber optic distribution box

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 QUANTA COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A cable distribution box includes a base plate, a proximal wall extending from a first side of the base plate, a distal wall extending from a second side of the base plate, a latch formed on a third side of the base plate, and a cover plate extending from the proximal wall. The latch is configured to secure the cable distribution box to a chassis. The cover plate has a center portion that projects towards the base plate, such that the center portion is configured to wrap a cable thereon. The cover plate is foldable along a length of the proximal wall, relative to the base plate in a clamshell fashion, to enclose the wrapped cable between the cover plate and the base plate. The cover plate includes a locking mechanism that is configured to engage the distal wall, and secure the cover plate onto the base plate.