Rotatable Panel Optical Termination Box for Cable Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical termination boxes require dismounting from the mounting plate or wall to access the extra length of pre-connectorized drop cables, which is not advisable when the property and warranty are not managed by the appointed operator.

Innovation Solution

An optical termination box with a rotatable connectors bearing panel that allows external access to the pre-connectorized optical cable while remaining fixed to the support or wall, featuring a rotatable splice tray and connector supporting frames on two surfaces for scalable connector arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical termination box is fixed to the mounting plate or wall, then the stability and security of installation is improved, but access to the pre-connectorized optical cable becomes difficult requiring dismounting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation stabilityVSAvoidcable access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical termination box is divided into two compartments: a first compartment for housing the pre-connectorized optical cable and a second compartment for other components. This segmentation allows independent access to the cable compartment through the removable cover while maintaining the fixed installation of the entire box, resolving the contradiction between installation stability and cable accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the optical termination box allows access to the pre-connectorized optical cable without dismounting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessVSAvoidbox structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is extracted as a separate removable component from the main box body. This allows the cover to be removed for cable access and then reattached to restore the sealed structure, providing easy access without permanently altering the box structure or significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The first compartment housing the pre-connectorized optical cable is nested within the optical termination box, accessible through the removable cover. This nested structure allows compact integration while maintaining independent access to the cable compartment, balancing ease of operation with device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the optical termination box maintains overall dimensions while scaling connector arrangements, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector scalabilityVSAvoidconnector arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Connector supporting frames are arranged on two opposite surfaces of the rotatable panel, utilizing the third dimension (both sides of the panel) rather than only one surface. This allows scaling of connector arrangements within the same overall box dimensions by using vertical space and panel rotation, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is made rotatable between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of connector orientations. This dynamic capability enables flexible adapter cable routing and connector arrangements while maintaining compact dimensions, improving adaptability with manageable complexity through a single rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3317707B1Optical termination box and assembly
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 PRYSMIAN SPA
  • EP3317707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3317707B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3317707B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical termination box (10) comprises a base (11) with a bottom (12) and a side wall (13a), connector supporting frames (14) supporting optical connectors (102) of a pre-connectorized optical cable (100) and an opening (15) formed in the side wall (13a) for allowing access from outside to the optical connectors (102). The optical termination box (10) further comprises a connectors bearing panel (20) holding the connector supporting frames (14) and rotatably attached to the base (11) to form a first compartment (16) in a closed position and allow access to the first compartment (16) and the pre-connectorized optical cable (100) in an open position.