Rotatable Spool Cable Management for Fiber Optic Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic distribution systems face challenges in efficiently routing and managing fiber optic cables, particularly in multiple dwelling units, where conventional methods lack effective solutions for cable management and protection, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a spool arrangement and base configuration that allows for rotatable and lockable cable management, featuring a drum region and management region with a bend radius limiter, and a patchcord storage arrangement that enables secure and flexible cable dispensing, providing protection and access to fiber optic connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic cables are routed from a central office to a remote fiber distribution hub and then to wall-mount boxes, then cable management and protection are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a wall-mounted base unit with a rotatable spool arrangement, allowing the cable distribution function to be segmented from the remote hub and integrated directly at the dwelling unit, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining cable management benefits
Solution Approach 2:
A wall-mounted base unit serves as an intermediary between the remote fiber distribution hub and the interior cable routing, providing a localized interface that manages cable entry, spooling, and distribution within the dwelling unit, reducing the complexity of direct remote hub connections
2Ease of operation
If a rotatable spool arrangement is used for cable dispensing, then ease of operation and cable management are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spool arrangement is designed to be manually operable by the installer or user, allowing self-service cable dispensing and winding without requiring complex motorized or automated mechanisms, thus improving ease of operation while keeping the device relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The spool arrangement incorporates rotatable movement to dynamically adjust cable dispensing and winding, enabling flexible cable management during installation and maintenance while maintaining a mechanically simple structure
3Reliability
If the drum region is enclosed by the sidewall, then cable protection is improved, but access to the cable and connectors becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is segmented with defined regions: an enclosed drum region for cable storage and protection, and a management region with openings for cable access and connector installation, allowing both protection and accessibility to be achieved through spatial segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall structure acts as an intermediary barrier that protects the drum region while incorporating designated access points and routing paths that facilitate cable and connector access without compromising the protective enclosure
4Ease of operation
If the management region extends beyond the base, then cable management flexibility is improved, but device footprint and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The management region extends in a radial direction from the base rather than increasing the base's overall footprint, utilizing the vertical and radial dimensions to provide cable management flexibility while maintaining a compact wall-mounted installation footprint
Data Source
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AI summary
Example wall outlets include a base; a spool arrangement that mounts to the base; and a cable wound around the spool arrangement at the drum region. The base includes a mounting wall and a sidewall. The base defines a port and defines a first annular perimeter. The spool arrangement is rotatable relative to the base. The spool arrangement includes a drum region, a management region, and an aperture extending between the drum region and the management region. The drum region is enclosed by the sidewall of the base and the management region extends outwardly beyond the base. The cable has a first end extending through the aperture and terminated at a first fiber optic ferrule held at the management region. The cable also has a second end that extends through the port defined in the base and is terminated at a second fiber optic ferrule disposed external of the base.