Movable Fiber Spool With Integrated Adapter for Compact Cable Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optical storage equipment faces challenges in cable management, space consumption, and risk of fiber damage during installation and maintenance, with complex arrangements causing undesired bending and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optical storage equipment design featuring a base module, support shaft, and a movable spool with an adapter housing that optimizes cable management and reduces space by allowing the spool to move and rotate, incorporating retaining wings and limiting members to prevent unwanted movement and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the adapter housing is integrated into the spool structure, then cable management is simplified and space is reduced, but the complexity of the spool structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter housing is merged with the spool structure by forming the adapter housing as an integral part of the spool body. The spool comprises a body with an adapter housing formed directly on it, eliminating the need for separate adapter housing components and reducing overall space consumption while simplifying cable management operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores the optical cable, enables cable payout through rotation, and houses the adapter for connector insertion. The adapter housing is positioned on the spool body to allow connector access during both storage and payout operations, making the spool a multi-functional component that reduces the need for separate dedicated housing structures.
2Ease of operation
If the spool is made movable and rotatable, then cable payout and management become easier, but the risk of unwanted rotation and fiber damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spool is designed with dynamic characteristics, being movable along the support shaft and rotatable for cable payout. The spool can be freely rotated to unwind the optical cable, and the adapter housing moves with the spool to maintain accessibility. This dynamic design enables easy cable management while the controlled movement along the shaft prevents uncontrolled rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the spool along the support shaft is used as a control parameter to manage rotation. By limiting the spool's movement range along the shaft and positioning it appropriately, the system controls the spool's rotational behavior during cable payout, preventing excessive rotation that could damage the fiber while still allowing sufficient rotation for cable dispensing.
3Ease of operation
If the adapter housing projects towards the base, then connector access is improved, but the space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter housing is nested within the spool structure rather than being a separate external component. By forming the adapter housing as an integral part of the spool body, the design achieves compact nesting that provides connector access while minimizing overall space requirements. The adapter housing is positioned on the spool body to allow connector insertion without requiring additional external housing space.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fiber optical storage equipment(1) comprising a base member (10) comprising a base (11) and a perimetral wall (12) extending upwardly from the base (11); a cover member (20) configured to define with the base member (10) an inner volume; a support shaft (30) at least in part surrounded by the perimetral wall (12) and extending into the inner volume between the base (11) and an end shaft portion (31) along a longitudinal direction (X-X) perpendicular to the base (11); an optical fiber spool (40) for winding and unwinding an optical cable (2), the optical fiber spool (40) being configured to longitudinally move along the support shaft (30) and to rotate around the support shaft (30), the optical fiber spool (40) being movable along the longitudinal direction (X-X) between a first position, where the optical fiber spool (40) is at least in part surrounded by the perimetral wall (12), and a second position, where the optical fiber spool (40) is longitudinally spaced apart from the perimetral wall (12), the optical fiber spool (40) being free to rotate for winding and unwinding in the second position; the optical fiber spool (40) comprises an adapter housing (50) for an optical adapter (3), the adapter housing (50) projecting towards the base (11) and being proximate to the base (11) in the first position.