Fiber Storage Assembly With Pivoting Splice Trays for High-Count Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic communication systems face challenges in storing and organizing fiber slack while maintaining easy accessibility, particularly with high fiber counts, as traditional structures become unwieldy and complicate splicing and storage.
Innovation Solution
A fiber storage assembly comprising a slack storage tray and pivotally coupled splice trays that can be moved between closed and open configurations, allowing separate storage of fiber slack and splices, with features like clips and flexible guides for efficient fiber routing and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fiber storage structures are used, then fiber slack can be stored, but access to both fiber slack and splices becomes difficult with high fiber counts
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber storage assembly is divided into separate functional modules: a slack storage tray for storing fiber slack and one or more splice trays for storing spliced fibers. These modules are pivotally coupled, allowing them to be moved independently between closed and open configurations. This segmentation enables a technician to access splices in the splice trays without disturbing the fiber slack stored in the slack storage tray, thereby improving ease of operation with high fiber counts.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice trays are pivotally coupled to the slack storage tray, enabling dynamic movement between closed and open configurations. This dynamic design allows the splice trays to be opened for accessing splices while the slack storage tray remains closed to protect fiber slack, or both can be opened simultaneously when needed. The pivotal coupling mechanism provides adaptability in access patterns, improving operational ease without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fiber slack is stored to facilitate future splicing, then future splicing is enabled, but the fiber slack becomes difficult to store while remaining easily accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber storage assembly separates fiber slack storage from splice storage into distinct trays. The slack storage tray is designed specifically for storing coiled fiber slack with appropriate space and configuration, while splice trays handle spliced fibers. This segmentation allows fiber slack to be stored in an organized manner that maintains accessibility without requiring complex retrieval mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice trays are nested within or adjacent to the slack storage tray structure, with both sharing a common pivotal coupling mechanism. This nested arrangement allows the compact storage of multiple fiber types (slack and spliced) within a unified assembly footprint, maintaining ease of access while avoiding the need for separate, complex storage structures.
3Ease of operation
If separate storage for fiber slack and splices is implemented, then organization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly uses separate slack storage tray and splice trays to provide clear organizational separation between fiber slack and spliced fibers. This segmentation improves organization and reduces confusion during splicing operations, while the modular design allows each tray type to be optimized for its specific function without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal coupling mechanism serves multiple functions: it connects the slack storage tray and splice trays, enables independent movement of splice trays for selective access, and provides a unified mounting structure. This multi-functional design achieves good organization without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same coupling mechanism performs several operational roles.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a fiber storage assembly includes a slack storage tray and one or more splice trays pivotally coupled to the slack storage tray. The slack storage tray defines a slack storage volume configured to store fiber slack of an optical fiber. The one or more splice trays are moveable between a closed configuration enclosing the slack storage volume and open configuration exposing the slack storage volume.