Compact Optical Fiber Storage Module with Nested Spool Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for optical fiber and cable storage and distribution modules are not adequately designed to store excess slack lengths of optical fibers and cables unobtrusively near the entry point of a customer's premises, nor do they facilitate efficient connections between the provider cable and fiber inside the premises.
Innovation Solution
A compact storage and distribution module with a base and spool mounting fingers for optical fiber spools, combined with an adapter bracket for connecting slack fiber and cable, allowing for discreet storage and connection of excess cable lengths near the cable entry point, ensuring operational connectivity between the optical network terminal and the provider cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a separate storage space for cable slack is provided outside the spool housing, then the cable can be stored, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores the cable slack inside the hollow interior of the spool itself, nesting the cable storage function within the existing spool structure. This eliminates the need for separate external storage spaces while maintaining adequate storage capacity for cable slack
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is designed to serve multiple functions: it winds and stores the optical fiber, provides structural support for mounting, and simultaneously serves as a storage container for cable slack through its hollow interior. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If the module is mounted near the cable entry point distant from the ONT, then it is less obtrusive, but the connection length between module and ONT increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module allows cable slack to be stored in advance within the spool's hollow interior before the actual connection to the ONT is made. This preliminary storage of slack enables the module to be positioned optimally for discretion while ensuring sufficient fiber length is already available for the connection
3Reliability
If the spool mounting structure uses a raised boss with fingers, then the spool is securely retained, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spool mounting structure is segmented into a raised boss and multiple mounting fingers that are circumferentially spaced around the boss. This segmentation allows each finger to independently engage the spool, providing secure retention through cumulative contact points rather than requiring perfect alignment of a single complex feature
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting fingers are designed to automatically engage and secure the spool when it is placed on the raised boss, utilizing the spool's own geometry and weight to achieve proper positioning and retention without requiring additional adjustment or high-precision alignment procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A storage and distribution module for optical fiber and cable includes a base having a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has a raised boss. A number of spool mounting fingers are arranged and configured on top of the boss to retain a fiber supply spool containing slack windings of an optical fiber. The bottom wall of the base, the boss, and an end face of the spool when retained on the mounting fingers, define a storage region underneath the spool for storing a slack length of a provider cable. A bracket is fixed inside the base, and the bracket is formed to support a connector adapter for connecting a first connector that terminates the slack fiber windings contained on the supply spool when retained on the mounting fingers, with a second connector that terminates the slack length of provider cable stored in the region under the spool.