Optical Terminal Mounting Bracket for Confined-Space Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber optic communication systems face challenges in mounting optical terminals in confined spaces due to limited space availability for mounting and unmounting, necessitating a solution that reduces the space required for these operations.

Innovation Solution

A telecommunications enclosure system with a terminal mounting bracket and latch actuators that allow for linear movement and latching of optical terminals, enabling easy mounting and unmounting without pivoting, and featuring cam arrangements for flexible latching and unlatching from either side, utilizing nested features for alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional mounting brackets are used for optical terminals, then the terminals can be mounted on various structures, but the space required for mounting and unmounting operations becomes excessively large in confined areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting spaceVSAvoidmounting and unmounting accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical terminal nests within the mounting bracket structure, with the terminal housing positioned inside the bracket's enclosure space. This nesting arrangement allows the terminal to be mounted in confined areas while maintaining accessibility for operations through the bracket's open sides, effectively reducing the external mounting footprint without compromising operational ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is designed with open sides that provide accessibility from multiple dimensions. Instead of requiring clear space only in front of the terminal, the bracket allows mounting and unmounting operations from the sides, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space around the terminal to reduce the required mounting area

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

2Strength

If the optical terminal is designed for secure mounting, then structural integrity is improved, but the complexity of the mounting mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidmounting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting and securing functions are merged into a single bracket structure. The bracket simultaneously provides mechanical support, positioning, and retention through its integrated design featuring side walls, bottom wall, and opening configurations, eliminating the need for separate mounting and securing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical terminal is designed to be self-retaining within the bracket through its geometric configuration. The terminal housing fits within the bracket's enclosed space with openings that allow insertion and removal, while the bracket's structure automatically provides retention without requiring additional active locking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4055431B1Telecommunications enclosure mounting system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP4055431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4055431B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4055431B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A telecommunications enclosure system includes a terminal assembly including an optical terminal that mounts to a terminal mounting bracket via a mechanical coupling interface. The mechanical coupling interface includes a release actuator that allows the optical terminal to be released from the terminal mounting bracket by accessing the release actuator from a first side of the terminal assembly, and also allows the optical terminal to be released from the terminal mounting bracket by accessing the release actuator from an opposite second side of the terminal assembly.