Modular Cassette Holder with Pivotable Splice Receptacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cassette holders for splice cassettes are complex to repair due to non-modular designs, leading to increased damage during maintenance and replacement, especially when exposed to environmental influences like temperature fluctuations, and require replacing entire components.

Innovation Solution

A modular cassette holder design with releasable components and pivotable splice cassettes, allowing for interchangeable modular components and easy detachment without damaging the base or auxiliary parts, facilitating simpler maintenance and repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a non-modular cassette holder design is used, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the repair complexity increases and replacement requires damaging the base

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair complexityVSAvoidmodular design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cassette holder is divided into modular components (cassette receptacles) that can be independently removed and replaced. Each receptacle is designed as a separate unit that attaches to and detaches from the base without damage, enabling simplified repair and maintenance while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If splice cassettes are tightly arranged to maximize space utilization, then the area efficiency is improved, but the accessibility for configuration changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The splice cassettes are designed with pivotable mounting that allows them to rotate between a horizontal transport position and a vertical operating position. This dynamic positioning enables easy accessibility for configuration changes while maintaining tight arrangement for space efficiency when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If integral fastening components are used, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the replacement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidreplacement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into separate detachable components rather than integral fastening. The cassette receptacles use independent attachment mechanisms that allow individual components to be replaced without affecting the entire structure, simplifying repair while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4495652A1Cassette holder for splice cassettes
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 ZVK GMBH
  • EP4495652A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4495652A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4495652A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cassette holder (1) for splice cassettes (S), the cassette holder (1) comprising: a base (2), wherein the base (2) has a longitudinal axis (X) and a transverse axis (Y), wherein the base (2) has guide means (3a, 3b) for guiding optical fibers (4a, 4b), at least one modular component (5), wherein the modular component (5) has at least two cassette receptacles (6), wherein the cassette receptacles (6) are each configured to receive a splice cassette (S) such that the respective splice cassette (S) is pivotable in a state installed in the cassette receptacle (6), wherein the cassette receptacles (6) provide a pivot axis with an associated pivot range, wherein the pivot axis is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the base (2), wherein the modular component (5) is detachably attached to the base (2) by means of a retaining means (7) to allow for the interchangeability of the modular component. to provide component (5).