Movable Optical Fiber Spool Locking for Compact Cable Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optical storage equipment faces challenges in managing optical cables, leading to space inefficiency, complex installation, and risks of fiber damage during operations.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optical storage equipment design featuring a base module, a support shaft, and a movable optical spool with a locking and rotational arrangement that allows the spool to move longitudinally and rotate, optimizing cable management and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fiber optical storage equipment uses a compact arrangement to save space, then the space consumption is reduced, but the cable management becomes complex and fiber damage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment is divided into separate functional modules: a housing unit, a spool unit with independent rotation capability, and a connector unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the spool can rotate freely for cable management while the housing maintains a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between space savings and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable guide structure acts as an intermediary between the spool and the external environment. This guide mechanism facilitates smooth cable routing and management while maintaining the compact overall structure, enabling complex cable operations without requiring a large equipment footprint.
2Volume of moving object
If the fiber optical storage equipment uses a compact arrangement to save space, then the space consumption is reduced, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment employs modular segmentation with distinct housing, spool, and connector units that can be pre-assembled and tested separately. This modularity simplifies the installation process as modules can be independently installed and replaced, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool unit features self-aligning and self-locking mechanisms that automatically position and secure components during installation. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual adjustment procedures, simplifying installation while maintaining the compact design.
3Volume of moving object
If the fiber optical storage equipment uses a compact arrangement to save space, then the space consumption is reduced, but the fiber damage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cable guide structures and protection elements act as intermediaries between the compact housing and the optical fiber. These intermediary components provide mechanical protection and proper routing pathways, preventing fiber damage even in the constrained space of a compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates built-in fiber protection features such as bending radius controls and stress-relief structures that are pre-configured into the compact housing and cable guides. These protective measures are built in beforehand to prevent fiber damage before it can occur during installation or operation.
4Volume of moving object
If the fiber optical storage equipment uses a complex solution for cable management, then the space consumption is reduced, but the operational ease decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cable management function into an independent, freely rotating spool unit separated from the housing, the design achieves compact overall dimensions while providing simple, intuitive cable operations. The spool's independent rotation allows easy cable winding and unwinding without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool unit is designed with dynamic freedom to rotate independently within the compact housing. This dynamic capability enables smooth cable management operations while maintaining a static, space-efficient overall equipment footprint, resolving the contradiction between compactness and operational ease.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fiber optical storage equipment (1) comprising: a base member (10) comprising a base (11); a support shaft (30) extending along a longitudinal direction (X-X) perpendicular to the base (11) between the base member (10) and an end support portion (31); an optical fiber spool (40) for winding and unwinding an optical cable (2), the optical fiber spool (40) being configured to longitudinally move along the support shaft (30) and to rotate around the support shaft (30), the optical fiber spool (40) being movable along the longitudinal direction (X-X) between a first position, where the optical fiber spool (40) is proximate to the base (11) and a second position, where the optical fiber spool (40) is longitudinally spaced apart from the base (11), the optical fiber spool (40) being free to rotate for winding and unwinding in the second position, a longitudinal locking and rotational arrangement (60) for longitudinally locking the fiber optical spool (40) in the second position at the end support portion (31) and for allowing rotation of the fiber optical spool (40) around the support shaft (30).