Nested Fiber Enclosure with Pivoting Secure Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber optic enclosures lack secure access control, allowing unauthorized technicians to tamper with fiber configurations, and do not provide adequate protection for compact storage and enhanced access during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A fiber distribution enclosure with a secure, pivotally coupled enclosure portion that includes a locking mechanism and adjustable positioning to prevent unauthorized access, allowing authorized personnel to configure and maintain fiber optic connections without compromising security or ease of access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure enclosure with locking mechanism is added to the fiber distribution enclosure, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested enclosure structure where a secure enclosure (second enclosure) is placed inside the main fiber distribution enclosure. The secure enclosure contains the fiber distribution portion and is surrounded by a secure wall with locking mechanism. This nesting approach provides security functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the existing enclosure space efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the secure enclosure is designed to be movable between lowered and raised positions, then ease of access for maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the secure enclosure can move between a lowered position (for compact storage) and a raised position (for enhanced access during maintenance). The enclosure is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion, allowing it to rotate between these positions. This dynamic capability provides operational flexibility while maintaining relatively simple mechanical coupling without complex actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the first enclosure portion is raised to provide enhanced access to adapters, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of the enclosure composition may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-locking mechanism where the engagement portion with spring-biased plungers automatically engages with the receiving portion when the first enclosure portion is in the raised position. The spring-biased plungers exert continuous force to maintain the raised position and provide automatic locking without requiring external intervention. This self-service locking mechanism ensures stability during operation while maintaining ease of access, and the system automatically returns to the lowered position when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240219667A1Fiber distribution enclosure having a second enclosure therein and structurally configured to maintain the second enclosure in a raised position so as to provide enhanced access to the second enclosure
Publication Date: 2024.07.04 PPC BROADBAND INC
  • US20240219667A1 patent drawing
  • US20240219667A1 patent drawing
  • US20240219667A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A fiber distribution enclosure may include a base portion, a cover portion, and an enclosure portion structurally configured to be pivotally coupled with the base portion at an interior. The enclosure portion may include an adapter portion that is structurally configured to couple a fiber optic cable from outside of the enclosure portion with a fiber optic cable of a fiber distribution portion in the enclosure portion. The first enclosure portion may be structurally configured to be pivoted relative to the base portion between a lowered position and a raised position, and the first enclosure portion may include an engagement portion structurally configured to engage a receiving portion of the mounting portion in the raised position such that the engagement portion and the receiving portion are structurally configured to maintain the first enclosure portion in the raised position so as to provide enhanced access to the adapter portion.