Hinged Splice Cassette Device Holder for High-Density Fiber Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical cable networking, there is a need for apparatus that can achieve high-density distribution with high fiber termination counts in a small volume while efficiently utilizing space and avoiding sharp bends in optical cables, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design of a splice cassette with a tray base and a hingedly attached device holder that secures optical devices and routes cables efficiently, allowing for high-density cable management and increased storage capacity without exceeding the minimum bending radius constraints of optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact splice cassette design is used to achieve high-density distribution in small volume, then space utilization is improved, but cable routing flexibility deteriorates causing difficulty in avoiding sharp bends
Solution Approach 1:
The splice cassette is divided into multiple levels and compartments, with cable routing paths segmented into distinct zones (entry zone, routing zone, termination zone). This segmentation allows cables to navigate through structured pathways that maintain adequate bending radii while fitting within a compact overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes multi-level vertical stacking and three-dimensional cable routing pathways. Cables transition from horizontal entry to vertical routing zones, then to termination points, effectively using the Z-dimension to achieve high-density distribution while maintaining sufficient cable bend radii through spatial layering.
2Quantity of substance
If high fiber termination counts are accommodated in confined space, then cable storage capacity is improved, but minimum bending radius constraints are violated causing potential fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The splice cassette employs nested organizational structures where fiber bundles are grouped and routed through hierarchical pathways. Larger cable bundles are routed through outer pathways, while individual fibers are terminated in inner compartments, creating nested routing zones that maintain adequate bending radii at each organizational level.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the splice cassette are designed with locally optimized characteristics: entry zones have larger routing radii for cable access, mid-sections have structured guidance for bundle routing, and termination zones have precise positioning for individual fiber connections. This local quality optimization ensures minimum bending radius is maintained throughout the entire cable path while accommodating high termination counts.
Data Source
AI summary
Splice cassettes for optical cables and optical devices may include a tray base having a tray top surface. A tray center portion may be defined on the tray top surface inside a plurality of tray cable securing members arranged around a center-portion periphery of the tray center portion with a tray proximal zone and a tray distal zone. A device holder may be removably and hingedly attached to the tray base. An inner surface of the holder may have a holder proximal zone in which at least one device securing member may be disposed and configured to secure an optical device to the inner surface. When the device holder is closed and an optical device is secured in the at least one device securing member of the device holder, the holder distal zone may overlie the tray distal zone and the optical device may overlie the tray proximal zone.