Pivotable Plastic Optical Module for Component Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical telecommunication modules with pivoting designs are impractical for high-capacity and large-height configurations, as they lack easy access and robustness for component installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An optical telecommunication module with a plastic housing featuring a pivotable rear plate and cover plate, allowing 90-degree and 180-degree movement respectively, and a metal front adapter plate for secure storage and connector management, along with a mounting frame and lateral support for flexible pivot axis orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cover plate is made pivotable relative to the front plate and connected to the back plate by a clip arrangement, then the module structure is simplified and easier to assemble, but the module becomes impractical for high-capacity and large-height configurations where easy access to components is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcomponent access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple independently pivotable plates (cover plate, rear plate, front plate) that can be accessed separately. This segmentation allows the cover plate to pivot 180 degrees for easy component access while the rear plate pivots 90 degrees for cable management, resolving the contradiction between simplified assembly and ease of operation by providing targeted access to different components without requiring full disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the module is designed for small capacity with low height, then the simplified cover plate configuration is suitable, but it cannot accommodate high-capacity applications requiring great height equal to several standardized units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule capacityVSAvoidintervention on components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with multiple pivotable plates. The cover plate can pivot 180 degrees and the rear plate 90 degrees, providing adaptive access configurations. This dynamic structure allows the same module design to serve both small-capacity applications (where plates remain closed) and high-capacity applications (where plates can be opened for component intervention), resolving the adaptability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pivoting arrangements are integrated into the module, then flexibility in installation and storage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidpivoting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting mechanism is segmented into independent hinge joints for each plate (cover plate hinge, rear plate hinge) rather than a complex integrated mechanism. Each hinge is a simple rotational joint allowing independent movement of its associated plate. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining installation flexibility, as each plate can be operated independently without affecting the pivoting capability of others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the rear plate is made pivotable relative to the bottom plate with guiding and splicing parts integrated, then functionality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the plate structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidplate structure manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding parts, splicing parts, and cable management features are merged into the rear plate as integrated molded features rather than separate components. The rear plate is manufactured as a single piece with built-in channels for cable guidance, splicing areas, and mounting features. This merging reduces the number of separate parts to manufacture while providing comprehensive functionality, resolving the contradiction between functional capability and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3579035B1Optical telecommunication module made from plastic material and device for such pivoting modules
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 NEXANS SA
  • EP3579035B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3579035B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3579035B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical telecommunications module (4) comprising a plastic housing, this module comprising a front body (10), a base plate (11) integral with said front body (10), a top cover plate (12) and a rear plate (13). According to the invention, said rear plate (13) is pivotable relative to said base plate (11), said cover plate (12) is pivotable relative to said rear plate (13), and said rear plate (13) is a plate adapted to receive on its inner face a set of parts enabling the guiding and/or splicing and/or the accommodation of coupling systems and/or the storage of optical fibers.