Optical Cable Connection Box with Segmented Splicing and Storage Regions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical cable connection boxes either lack support for optical fiber splicing and storage or have a large volume due to the integration of splicing and storage functions in the same region.

Innovation Solution

A connection structure with a splicing region and a fiber management region separated along the circumferential direction, allowing for efficient optical fiber splicing in one region and storage of redundant fibers in another, thereby reducing the overall volume and improving operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If optical fiber splicing and storage are performed in the same region, then the connection box can support both functions, but the volume of the connection box becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidconnection box volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into distinct functional regions: a splicing region for optical fiber splicing operations and a storage region for redundant fiber management. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, reducing the overall volume while maintaining both functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The splicing region and storage region are arranged in different spatial dimensions within the connection box, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The storage region is positioned adjacent to the splicing region, allowing compact integration without increasing overall volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a splicing tray is integrated into the connection box, then optical fiber splicing and storage are supported, but the connection box volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplicing and storage supportVSAvoidconnection box volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The splicing tray is merged with the connection box structure itself, forming an integrated unit. The tray is positioned within the connection box and utilizes the same structural framework, eliminating the need for separate splicing equipment and reducing overall volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection box structure serves multiple functions: it provides protection for optical cables, contains the splicing tray for splicing operations, and includes a storage region for redundant fibers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, minimizing volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical cables with longer length are selected to cover all user distances, then deployment flexibility is improved, but redundancy of optical fibers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidoptical fiber redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The redundant optical fibers are extracted from the main cable and routed to a dedicated storage region within the connection box. This allows the redundant fibers to be neatly organized and stored without affecting the main cable routing or requiring longer cable lengths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection box is pre-configured with a storage region and fiber routing paths during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for efficient fiber management and reduces the need for excessive fiber length during deployment, as the box can accommodate and organize redundant fibers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3869253B1Connection structure and optical cable connection box
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3869253B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3869253B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3869253B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a connection structure and an optical cable connection box. The connection structure includes a splicing region and a fiber management region that are disposed with a distance therebetween along a circumferential direction of the connection structure, where a fiber routing path passing through the connection structure in the splicing region and the connection structure in the fiber management region is further disposed in the connection structure, so that an optical fiber extends into the fiber management region for storage through the fiber routing path from the splicing region, and a redundant optical fiber can be transferred from the original splicing region to the fiber management region for storage. In this way, space of the connection structure can be effectively used, thereby reducing space occupied by the connection structure.