Internal Fiber Optic Cable Spool for Variable-Length Payout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic enclosures face challenges in managing varying lengths of subscriber cables due to varying distances from network hubs, necessitating a solution for effective cable management and payout.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic enclosure assembly with a rotating cable spool and termination module that allows selective payout of subscriber cables, accommodating different lengths by rotating the spool within the housing and fixing its position when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length subscriber cable is used in the fiber optic enclosure, then the enclosure structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate varying distances from different network hub locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed cable length with a rotatable spool mechanism that allows the cable length to be dynamically adjusted. The spool can rotate to payout or rewind cable as needed, transforming a static enclosure into one with dynamic cable management capability, thereby achieving adaptability without permanently complicating the enclosure structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nesting principle by placing the cable spool inside the enclosure housing. The spool is nested within the existing enclosure structure, allowing the cable to be stored compactly within the enclosure volume when not in use. This nested arrangement enables variable cable length accommodation while maintaining a compact overall enclosure form factor.
2Reliability
If excess subscriber cable is stored outside the enclosure, then varying cable lengths can be accommodated, but cable attenuation increases and connectivity reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the excess cable storage function within the enclosure by incorporating an internal spool mechanism. Instead of allowing cable to lie loosely outside the enclosure, the cable is neatly wound and stored on the spool inside the enclosure, protecting it from environmental factors and reducing attenuation while maintaining reliable connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spool mechanism allows the cable to be precisely managed - paying out the exact length needed and automatically storing the excess portion on the spool. This dynamic management ensures that excess cable is never left exposed outside the enclosure, thereby maintaining signal integrity and connectivity reliability while providing flexible cable length adjustment.
3Productivity
If manual cable routing is used without a spool mechanism, then the device structure remains simple, but cable payout and management becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotatable spool mechanism that transforms manual cable handling into an efficient rotational motion system. The spool can be rotated to quickly payout cable in a controlled manner, and the same rotational motion automatically winds and stores the cable when retracting. This dynamic mechanism dramatically improves cable deployment productivity compared to manual routing while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool mechanism is designed to be self-servicing - as the spool rotates to payout cable, the cable naturally guides itself onto the spool flanges, and when rotating in reverse, the cable automatically winds back onto the spool without requiring additional manual intervention. This self-service characteristic enhances productivity by eliminating the need for complex cable guiding systems or multiple operators.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic enclosure assembly includes a housing having an interior region and a bearing mount disposed in the interior region of the housing. A cable spool is connectedly engaged with the bearing mount such that the cable spool selectively rotates within the housing. A termination module disposed on the cable spool so that the termination module rotates in unison with the cable spool. A method of paying out a fiber optic cable from a fiber optic enclosure includes rotating a cable spool, which has a subscriber cable coiled around a spooling portion of the cable spool, about an axis of a housing of the fiber optic enclosure until a desired length of subscriber cable is paid out. A termination module is disposed on the cable spool.