Pivotable Patch Cassettes for High-Density Fiber Distribution Frames
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The height limitation of existing glass fiber distribution frames restricts the number of patch compartments that can be stacked, necessitating a solution for high packing density and manageable patch cables.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates drawer-like pull-out shells with pivotable patch cassettes that can be folded to an angle, allowing for easy access to coupling elements and efficient cable management, with features like telescopic rods, curved guide elements, and lateral extensions for excess cable storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the height of the distribution frame is increased to accommodate more patch compartments, then the number of patch compartments increases, but the device height becomes excessive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patch cassettes are made pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to be folded away when not in use. This dynamic configuration reduces the vertical space requirement while maintaining full functionality when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a purely vertical stacking arrangement to a configuration that utilizes angular/folding movement. Patch cassettes can be folded at angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to access coupling elements, effectively using angular dimension to resolve the height constraint
2Quantity of substance
If patch cassettes are arranged closely together to increase packing density, then the number of cassettes per compartment increases, but the coupling elements become difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable design allows operators to fold away adjacent patch cassettes to gain access to coupling elements, dynamically reconfiguring the arrangement based on operational needs rather than requiring fixed wide spacing
Solution Approach 2:
Each patch cassette is designed as an independent, separable unit that can be individually folded away. This segmentation allows selective access to specific coupling elements without moving entire compartments or groups of cassettes
3Adaptability or versatility
If patch cables are made longer to reach all coupling elements, then cable flexibility increases, but cable management becomes difficult and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable patch cassettes allow cable paths to be dynamically adjusted. When cassettes are folded away, cables naturally follow the folded path, reducing the need for excessively long cables while maintaining access to all coupling elements
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism introduces angular dimensions to cable routing. Cables traverse through folded angles rather than requiring long linear paths, improving cable management by utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The fiber optic distribution frame with several compartments (14) arranged one above the other, each containing several patch cassettes (1) for patch cables (4) or pig tails, is characterized in that each compartment (14) has a drawer-like extendable tray (10) or plate in or on which the patch cassettes (1) are attached parallel to each other at an edge section in such a way that they can be pivoted about this edge section.