Rotatable Cable Spool With Selective Circuit Disconnect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications cable spool systems lack efficient mechanisms for managing cable deployment and connectivity to data management networks, leading to complexities in routing and connecting cables during installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A communications panel with a rotatable cable spool and optical adapters that can be disconnected and connected to chassis circuitry as needed, featuring a spool arrangement with media reading interfaces and a flexible cable system that allows for selective connection to a data management network, enabling easy cable payout and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spool circuitry is permanently connected to the chassis circuitry, then data management connectivity is maintained, but cable routing complexity increases during installation and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spool circuitry is designed to dynamically change its connection state with the chassis circuitry based on operational needs. During cable payout, the spool circuitry disconnects to simplify routing; when cable deployment is complete, it reconnects to restore data management connectivity. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the spool circuitry is disconnected during cable payout, then routing complexity is reduced, but data management connectivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between spool circuitry and chassis circuitry operates periodically rather than continuously. The system alternates between connected states (when cable deployment is complete and stability is needed) and disconnected states (when cable payout is in progress). This periodic connection pattern maintains reliability when needed while reducing complexity during operational transitions.
3Ease of operation
If the optical adapters are fixed to the spool, then they rotate in unison during cable payout, but connectivity management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the connectivity management function from the mechanical spool rotation function. The optical adapters are fixed to the spool for mechanical rotation during cable payout, but the circuitry connection is independently controlled and can be separated from the rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows easy cable payout through simple spool rotation while keeping connectivity management separate and less complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications panel includes a chassis configured to receive at least one spool arrangement. Each spool arrangement includes a spool and at least one optical termination port that rotates in unison with the spool. PLM can be provided at the communications panel so that PLI stored electronically on optical connectors received at the optical termination ports can be provided to a data management network via the panel.