Rotary Splice Module Cable Relief Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber optic cables in splicing modules are prone to mechanical stress, particularly bending loads, which can lead to undesirable losses due to inadequate bending radii and tensile forces, especially when translational or rotational movements are involved in accessing and connecting the cables.

Innovation Solution

A splicing module design featuring a rotating extension element with a stop and counter-stop mechanism that allows for controlled bending of cables, preventing excessive bending radii and tensile forces by guiding the cables through a fixed path with generous curves, ensuring the cable remains in contact with the stop and counter-stop, and maintaining a safe angle tolerance range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a translational or rotational extension element is used to provide access to splice and patch points, then accessibility is improved, but mechanical stress on fiber optic cables increases due to movement-induced tensile and bending forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to splice and patch pointsVSAvoidmechanical stress on fiber optic cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing guide structures that pre-establish a safe movement path for fiber optic cables during drawer extension. The guide structures include guide elements positioned to maintain adequate bending radii and prevent tensile forces on cables throughout the entire movement range, counteracting potential mechanical stress before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses guide structures as intermediary elements between the moving drawer and the fiber optic cables. These guide structures mediate the movement by providing a controlled path that reduces direct mechanical coupling between drawer motion and cable stress, thereby protecting the cables while enabling drawer accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If guide structures are provided to support patch cables during drawer extension, then cable protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable bending and tensile stressVSAvoidguide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the guide structure into multiple discrete guide elements distributed along the drawer extension path. Each guide element provides localized support at critical points where cables are most vulnerable, rather than requiring a continuous complex guide system throughout the entire drawer structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by providing guide structures only at specific locations where cable stress is most likely to occur during drawer movement, rather than throughout the entire drawer assembly. This selective placement of guide elements provides adequate protection while minimizing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Volume of moving object

If a rotating extension element is used instead of a translational drawer, then space utilization is improved, but cable routing complexity increases due to pivoting movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization of extension elementVSAvoidcable routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by designing cable routing paths that follow the rotational arc of the pivoting drawer. Guide structures are positioned and shaped to accommodate the curved movement trajectory, ensuring cables maintain adequate bending radii throughout the rotation rather than requiring straight-line routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic cable routing where guide structures are positioned to adapt to the changing cable path during drawer rotation. The guide elements are arranged to maintain proper cable tension and bending radius at all angular positions of the pivoting drawer, rather than being fixed for a single position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3511753B1Splice module with cable relief
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 ZWEICOM HAUFF GMBH
  • EP3511753B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3511753B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3511753B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a splice module with a rotary extension element 1 with a stop 8.2 and a counter-stop 8.1 for guiding fiber optic cables 2 as protection against damage.