Integrated ODF Splice Cabinet Layout for Space-Saving Fiber Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber management systems require significant space, labor, and cost due to separate systems for spliced and unspliced fibers, and conventional splice cabinets waste space with horizontal cassette orientation.
Innovation Solution
A unified fiber management storage system integrating a splice cabinet into an optical distribution frame (ODF) cabinet, with vertically oriented splice cassettes and optimized cable routing to maximize space and reduce labor and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate systems are used for spliced and unspliced fibers, then fiber management functionality is complete, but space requirements and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the splice cabinet and ODF cabinet into a single integrated unit. The splice cabinet is positioned adjacent to the ODF cabinet, with splice cassettes located between the patch panels and the rear of the ODF cabinet. This integration allows both spliced and unspliced fiber management to occur within one system, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall space requirements while maintaining complete fiber management functionality.
2Device complexity
If splice cassettes are oriented horizontally and stacked vertically, then cabinet structure is simple, but space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional orientation of splice cassettes from horizontal stacking to vertical stacking. The splice cassettes are positioned vertically between the patch panels and the rear of the ODF cabinet, with their input and output cable access points oriented to facilitate cable management. This vertical orientation maximizes the use of vertical space within the cabinet while maintaining structural simplicity and improving overall space utilization.
3Ease of operation
If a point of entry room is established in data centers, then fiber routing is organized, but space and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cabinet system performs multiple functions within a single unit: it provides patch panel access for unspliced fibers, contains splice cassettes for spliced fiber management, and includes cable management features for organized routing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for a separate point of entry room, as all fiber management operations can be conducted within the integrated cabinet, thereby reducing data center space requirements while maintaining organized fiber routing.
4Volume of stationary object
If vertically oriented splice cassettes are used, then space utilization improves and cable access is facilitated, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet is divided into modular components: the ODF cabinet structure, the splice cabinet section, individual splice cassettes, and patch panels. Each component can be manufactured and assembled independently, then integrated into the final system. The vertical orientation of splice cassettes is implemented as a modular design feature, allowing for standardized manufacturing of each segment while achieving improved space utilization in the assembled configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a unified fiber management storage system that incorporates a removable splice cabinet into the back of an optical distribution frame (ODF) cabinet. The incorporation of the splice cabinet into the ODF cabinet results in a single system that can be installed and used within a data center, rather than multiple independent systems. Splice units may be positioned within the splice cabinets. Splice cassettes are positioned within the splice units. The splice cassettes are positioned vertically.