Optical Fiber Box with Elevated Rail Receiving Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical fiber connection boxes face issues with burrs remaining after cutting breakable zones, which can interfere with the rail seating and lead to poor clipping and unclipping, and existing solutions like using a cutter are dangerous and unsightly.

Innovation Solution

The optical fiber connection box features breakable zones with receiving surfaces positioned above the bottom, allowing for secure rail fixation without interference from burrs, using the upper surface of ribs or flats as rail reception zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If breakable zones are cut by hand or using pliers, then the box can be installed on a rail, but burrs remain that interfere with rail seating and cause poor clipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cutting breakable zonesVSAvoidreliability of rail seating

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The breakable zone is segmented into a cutting portion and a receiving surface portion. The receiving surface is positioned at a different level (above the bottom) of the breakable zone, creating a functional separation where burrs from cutting operations cannot interfere with the rail seating on the elevated receiving surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving surface is positioned at a different vertical level (height dimension) relative to the bottom of the breakable zone. This dimensional offset ensures that burrs remaining at the bottom level do not interfere with the rail contact point on the elevated receiving surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a cutter is used to remove burrs, then rail seating is improved, but the solution is dangerous and involves additional operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of rail seatingVSAvoidcomplexity of burr removal process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving surface is pre-positioned at an elevated level during manufacturing, before any cutting operations occur. This preliminary design ensures that future burr formation during installation will not affect the rail seating function, eliminating the need for subsequent burr removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design accepts that burrs will remain after cutting but converts this harmful effect into a non-issue by positioning the functional receiving surface above the burr-prone bottom area. The burrs are effectively isolated from the critical rail seating function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If breakable zones are made visible for rail installation, then rail mounting is enabled, but aesthetics are compromised and dust can enter the box

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to rail installationVSAvoidaesthetics and dust protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the breakable zone have different functions: the bottom portion serves as the cutting area (where burrs form), while the elevated receiving surface portion serves as the clean, aesthetic rail seating area. This local differentiation allows each zone to optimize its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2466353B1Box for connecting optical fibres

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 NEXANS SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The box (1) has rectangular divisible areas arranged on lateral edges (3) of the box, where the box allows positioning of a fixing rail (8) on a rail receiving surface when the divisible areas are cut. The rail receiving surface is located at a level different from bottom of the divisible areas. The rail receiving surface is formed by upper surfaces of ribs (7), where the receiving surface is in projection from a rear surface of the box.