Hinged Reel Enclosure for Secure Storage and Cable Payout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic enclosures face challenges in managing varying lengths of subscriber cables, with limited accessibility and the need for additional equipment or personnel when installing and storing fiber optic cables, leading to inefficiencies and waste during payout and rewind processes.
Innovation Solution
A reel enclosure with a pivotally coupled panel that can switch between a closed position for secure storage and an open position for easy access and payout, featuring a hinge connection with a notch and flange mechanism to allow the reel to rotate, ensuring maximum accessibility and secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spool is recessed within the interior of the enclosure, then secure storage is improved, but accessibility for payout deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is made dynamically reconfigurable through a hinge connection that allows it to pivot between a closed position (providing secure storage) and an open position (providing accessibility). The reel itself is made dynamic, being able to rotate when the panel is open, enabling cable payout without requiring the panel to remain permanently open.
2Ease of operation
If the spool is provided on the exterior of the enclosure, then accessibility for payout is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional equipment or personnel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage function and payout function into a single integrated system. The reel is mounted on the panel itself, combining what would otherwise be separate external equipment into the enclosure structure. This eliminates the need for additional personnel or equipment to handle the spool.
3Ease of manufacture
If cable payout and storage require unwinding and rewinding processes, then cable management is achieved, but loss of time increases due to manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The reel is designed to rotate automatically under its own weight or with minimal input when the panel is opened, enabling self-service cable payout without requiring manual unwinding operations. The system uses gravity and the reel's rotational capability to manage cable deployment autonomously.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external tooling or extra manpower is used for cable payout, then cable handling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reel mechanism is designed to handle cable payout autonomously through its rotational capability, eliminating the need for external tooling or additional manpower. The system serves itself by using the reel's inherent rotational property to deploy and manage cable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A reel enclosure includes a base and a door pivotally coupled with the base. The door is movable between a first closed position and a second open position and is configured to hold a reel at an interior surface of the door. The reel is configured to have cable wound thereon. In the first closed position, the base is configured to prevent the reel from rotating relative to the door and the base, and, in the second open position, the door is configured to hold the reel outside of an interior of the base and permit the reel to rotate relative to the door and the base.