Rotatable Spool Fiber Optic Drawer Tray for Cable Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic installations face challenges in efficiently distributing fiber optic cable between components due to varying jumper cable lengths, requiring a system that can manage cable length without disconnecting connectors or using additional jumper cables.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic drawer tray with a rotatable spool that allows continuous rotation to spool or unspool fiber optic cable without removing connectors from adapters, enabling flexible distribution within a housing without additional jumper cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple jumper cables of different lengths are used to connect components in different housings, then the desired interconnection length can be achieved, but the device complexity and cable management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single spool unit serves multiple functions: it stores fiber optic cable, provides rotational movement for cable deployment, and interfaces with adapters through the drawer tray mechanism. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized jumper cables of different lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is designed to rotate freely, allowing dynamic adjustment of cable length as the drawer tray moves in and out. This dynamic mechanism enables continuous cable length variation without requiring multiple static cable options.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer tray is pulled out to deploy fiber optic cable, then cable distribution to desired length is achieved, but the risk of connector disconnection or damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic adapters are nested within the drawer tray assembly, which itself is nested within the housing. This nested structure protects connectors during deployment as the drawer tray moves, preventing disconnection or damage while enabling cable distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are pre-connected to the adapters before the drawer tray deployment process begins. This preliminary connection ensures that the cable deployment action does not require connector manipulation, maintaining connection stability throughout the movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cable distribution methods are used requiring additional jumper cables, then flexibility in connection length is achieved, but space efficiency and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spool unit is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple connection needs through rotation, eliminating the requirement for multiple specialized jumper cables of different lengths while maintaining connection length flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of cable length dynamically through spool rotation rather than using discrete cables of fixed lengths. This continuous parameter adjustment provides flexibility while reducing the number of components needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic drawer tray for fiber optic equipment having a rotatable spool for deployment of fiber optic cable comprises a horizontal base and a pair of housing engagement features on opposite sides of the horizontal base, for movably engaging with at least one tray engagement feature of a drawer housing. The fiber optic drawer tray also comprises a rotatable spool disposed on the base, and a fiber optic adapter sub-assembly configured to receive and retain a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted to the rotatable spool. The spool is further configured to store a length of fiber optic cable wound around the spool. The fiber optic cable can be terminated by a plurality of connectors and can be connected to the plurality of adapters. The spool is continuously rotatable to spool or unspool the fiber optic cable without disconnecting the plurality of connectors.