Rotatable Optical Termination Module for DIN Rail Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric home cabinets are not designed to manage optical cables and termination modules efficiently, leading to entanglement issues with electrical cables and difficulty in accessing optical connectors due to fixed inclinations and lack of fiber management solutions suitable for DIN rail mounting.

Innovation Solution

An optical termination module with a fixed part attached to a guiding member and a movable part that can rotate to adjust the orientation of optical connectors, allowing for easy access and storage of excess fibers, reducing the likelihood of cable entanglement with electrical cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If optical termination modules are mounted on DIN rails in electric cabinets, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility of optical connectors deteriorates due to fixed inclination and limited space between rows of guides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility of optical connectors
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical termination module incorporates a rotatable support structure that allows the module to be rotated between a first position (for mounting on DIN rail) and a second position (for accessibility). This dynamic transformation enables the module to adapt its orientation based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and connector accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If optical cables are managed in compact cabinet spaces, then space efficiency is improved, but cable entanglement with electrical cables increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidcable entanglement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable support structure allows optical cables to be routed and positioned in different spatial configurations. By rotating the module to the appropriate position, operators can manage cable routing to minimize entanglement with electrical cables while maintaining compact space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If optical connectors are mounted with fixed inclination, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to difficulty in handling and inspection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable support structure enables the optical termination module to be mounted with a fixed inclination for manufacturing simplicity, yet allows rotation during operation to achieve optimal handling and inspection angles. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If connector ports are front-mounted, then connection speed is improved, but cable management deteriorates due to tangling in the cabinet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidcable management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable support structure allows the module to be positioned optimally during connection operations (front-mounted position for speed) and then rotated to a different position for cable management (reducing tangling). This dynamic repositioning capability maintains fast connection speed while simplifying cable management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3221731B1Optical termination module, optical termination assembly and electric cabinet
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 PRYSMIAN SPA
  • EP3221731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3221731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3221731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical termination module (50) comprises a fixed part (60) to be attached to a mounting member (108) of an electric cabinet (100) and a movable part (70) rotatably attached to the fixed part (60) to move relative to the fixed part (60) about a rotation axis (X-X) between a first position and a second position. The fixed part (60) has a bottom surface (61a) with an inlet opening (61b) configured to receive an optical drop cable (1) and the movable part (70) has a bottom surface (71a) with one or more outlet openings (71b) configured to receive respective one or more optical customer cables (5).