Pivoting Tray Fiber Management Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications termination panels face challenges in increasing connection density and improving cable management within limited space, with existing solutions not adequately addressing the need for easy access and strain reduction on cables during installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications termination panel with a pivoting tray that houses cable connection locations, allowing optical fiber cables to enter and exit through the side, and featuring cable management structures to direct cables without pinching, enabling efficient access and organization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of connections within a panel is increased to increase connection density, then connection density is improved, but access to connections becomes more difficult and cable management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into multiple trays, each tray containing a subset of connections. This segmentation allows operators to access specific trays independently rather than dealing with all connections at once, making high-density panels more manageable and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The trays are designed to be movable or reconfigurable within the panel structure. This dynamic capability allows operators to adjust tray positions for better access during installation and maintenance, while maintaining high connection density when closed.
2Ease of operation
If access to connections is improved by modifying panel layout, then ease of operation is improved, but connection density may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of spreading connections out in a single plane which would reduce density, the patent uses multiple stacked trays creating a three-dimensional arrangement. This allows high connection density to be maintained while still providing access pathways between and around trays.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cables are routed through the panel to improve organization, then cable management is improved, but cables may be pinched or strained during tray movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flexible cable management elements such as flexible bulkheads or deflectors that can move with the trays. These flexible structures guide cables during tray movement without creating sharp bends or pinch points, maintaining both organization and cable integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Cable guides or management structures act as intermediaries between the moving trays and the fixed cable entry/exit points. These intermediaries absorb the movement and prevent direct transmission of mechanical stress to the cables themselves.
4Ease of operation
If a pivoting tray design is used to improve access, then ease of operation is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire panel structure pivoting or complex, only the individual trays are designed with pivoting capability. This partial application of complexity achieves the desired access improvement without overwhelming structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications termination panel includes a pivoting tray with cable connection locations. Cables extending to the connection locations enter through the rear or the side and exit through the side of the panel. Cable management structures direct cables to and away from the connection locations. A first trough extends from the rear to the front of the panel housing, the first trough raised from the floor thereof. A second trough extends from the rear to the front of the tray and is pivotal relative to the first trough with movement of the tray. When the tray is closed, the troughs are parallel and when the tray is open, the troughs are perpendicular to each other. The second trough is raised from the first trough such that cables extending from the first into the second trough are not pinched when the tray is pivoted closed.