Rotatable Spool Fiber Cable Management in Distribution Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of fiber distribution terminals (FDTs) faces challenges due to the need for approximating and preparing fiber cable lengths, leading to issues with excess cable storage, unwanted bends, and difficult routing, which can result in signal loss and damage to fiber cables.
Innovation Solution
An FDT design featuring a rotatable spool and adapter pack with cable guides that securely house and route input and output fiber cables, allowing for flexible routing from multiple sides and minimizing bends, thus preventing signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the FDT is affixed to its permanent location before connecting the input fiber cable, then the installation process is simplified, but the required fiber cable length is unknown and cannot be properly managed
Solution Approach 1:
The spool is made rotatable within the enclosure, allowing the fiber cable length to be dynamically adjusted as the spool rotates to pay out or wind in cable. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling the FDT to be installed at the final location while still allowing flexible management of the fiber cable length as it is connected.
2Ease of operation
If an external spool of fiber cable is used, then the FDT can be affixed to its permanent location, but the enclosure must rotate with the spool preventing proper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent components: the spool mechanism that rotates to manage cable length, and the FDT enclosure that remains stationary for stable installation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the spool to rotate independently without requiring the entire enclosure to rotate, enabling both proper FDT installation and cable management.
3Device complexity
If fiber cables are routed in a single direction through the FDT, then the internal routing is simplified, but external installation becomes difficult and cables may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The FDT enclosure is designed with multiple openings positioned at different locations and orientations, allowing fiber cables to enter and exit from multiple directions. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by enabling flexible external installation configurations while maintaining simplified internal routing through the enclosure, accommodating various installation scenarios without cable damage.
4Reliability
If cable ties or industrial retaining clips are used to secure cables, then the cables are firmly retained, but inadvertent bends are created causing signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cable guide is used instead of rigid cable ties or industrial retaining clips. This flexible guide securely retains the fiber cable while conforming to its shape and allowing gentle routing, preventing inadvertent bends that would cause signal loss. The flexible material provides sufficient retention while maintaining cable integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter retaining system comprises an adapter, an adapter pack, and a retaining base. The retaining base allows the adapter pack to slide in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the retaining base and prevents the adapter pack from moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. In another embodiment, an adapter retaining system comprises an adapter, an adapter pack, and an adapter plate. The adapter pack rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the adapter plate. In another embodiment, an adapter retaining system comprises an adapter, an adapter pack, and an adapter plate having a curved adapter post. The adapter pack slidably engages the adapter post. In another embodiment, an adapter retaining system comprises an adapter, and an adapter plate having a pair of adapter posts. The adapter posts directly receive the adapter.