Rack-Mounted Enclosure With Sliding Tray for Fiber Cable Payout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunication systems face challenges in managing varying lengths of fiber optic cables between fiber optic equipment and distribution racks due to varying equipment locations, necessitating improved cable management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunication device with a slidable tray and rotatable spool system that allows for easy deployment and retraction of fiber optic cables, featuring a tray that moves between fully enclosed and partially enclosed positions, and a spool that rotates relative to the tray and enclosure, with a stop mechanism to prevent rotation when fully enclosed, facilitating cable payout when partially enclosed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic cables are routed between fiber optic equipment and distribution racks, then connection between equipment is achieved, but cable management becomes complex due to varying cable lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic cable management system where the tray can slide between positions (retracted and extended) and the spool can rotate to payout cable. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying cable lengths required by equipment at different locations, while the tray remaining mostly retracted keeps the enclosure compact and organized, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the tray is fully extended to allow cable payout, then cable accessibility is improved, but the enclosure volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed to be dynamically positionable, sliding between a retracted position (minimizing enclosure volume) and an extended position (maximizing cable accessibility). This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize for either compact storage or ease of operation depending on the immediate need, resolving the contradiction between enclosure volume and cable accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable management function is segmented into separate components: the tray for positioning and the spool for cable storage and payout. This segmentation allows the tray to be extended for cable access while the spool handles the cable management, and both can be retracted when not in use, minimizing the permanent volume increase.
3Ease of operation
If the spool is free to rotate, then cable payout is facilitated, but cable winding control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spool is designed to rotate freely during cable payout operations, allowing the cable to be easily paid out without requiring external rotation control. The system self-regulates the rotation through the mechanical interface with the tray, which provides natural stopping points and guidance, thus facilitating ease of operation while maintaining adequate cable winding control through the tray's positioning mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a telecommunication device including an enclosure configured to be mounted to a telecommunication rack. The device also includes a tray that mounts within the enclosure, the tray being slidably movable relative to the enclosure along a front-to-rear axis between a first position and a second position. The tray is fully within the enclosure when in the first position. A forward portion of the tray projects forwardly from the front end of the enclosure and a rearward portion of the tray is within the enclosure when the tray is in the second position. A spool mounts on the tray and is moveable with the tray as the tray is moved between the first and second positions. The spool being rotatable relative to the tray and the enclosure to allow cable to be paid out from the spool at least when the tray is in the second position.