Rotating Adapter Panel Support Assembly with Detent Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic terminal designs lack flexible and adjustable support systems that allow easy access to both sides of adapter panels for maintenance and operation, limiting the ability to rotate, swivel, or tilt for efficient management and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An adapter panel support assembly comprising a frame assembly, mounting bracket, and connection assembly that allows the frame assembly to rotate and releasably lock at multiple positions, featuring detents, a ball bearing plunger, and adjustable stops for accommodating different adapter panel sizes, enabling access to both front and back of adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the adapter panel is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but access to both sides of the adapter panel for maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter panel support structure transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic, rotatable design. The connection assembly enables the adapter panel to rotate between a first position (accessible from front) and a second position (accessible from back), allowing the structure to adapt its configuration based on maintenance needs while maintaining structural integrity through the detent-based locking mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the adapter panel can rotate to multiple positions, then access to both sides is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into discrete detent positions rather than requiring continuous locking control. The connection assembly incorporates multiple detents at specific angular positions, allowing the adapter panel to be securely locked at predetermined positions without complex continuous control systems. This segmentation simplifies the locking mechanism while enabling multi-position functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball bearing plunger automatically engages with the detents to lock the adapter panel in position without requiring manual intervention. When the adapter panel rotates to a detent position, the ball bearing plunger is forced into the detent by the rotation itself, providing self-locking functionality that reduces the complexity of the locking mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support structure is made adjustable for different panel sizes, then versatility is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly is designed with universal functionality to accommodate adapter panels of different sizes. The rotatable structure with multiple detent positions allows the same connection assembly to securely hold various panel dimensions and configurations, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized components that would compromise structural stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy access and maintenance of fiber optic adapters by allowing the adapter panel to rotate and lock at multiple positions, improving operational efficiency and adaptability to various panel sizes, while ensuring secure locking and adjustable positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The connection assembly has a ball bearing plunger mounted in the frame assembly. The ball bearing plunger retracts when the force is applied to the frame assembly to rotate the frame assembly between the detents and extends into each of the detents at the position of each of the detents to releasably lock the frame assembly at the position of that detent.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter panel support assembly having a frame assembly, a mounting bracket, and a connection assembly is disclosed. The frame assembly may receive and support an adapter panel. The connection assembly connects the frame assembly to the mounting bracket to allow the frame assembly to rotate and releasably lock at more than two positions when force is applied to the frame assembly. The connection assembly has a plurality of detents such that the frame assembly releasably locks at predetermined positions of the detents. The connection assembly has a ball bearing plunger mounted in the frame assembly. The ball bearing plunger retracts when the force is applied to the frame assembly to rotate the frame assembly between the detents and extends into each of the detents at the position of each of the detents to releasably lock the frame assembly at the position of that detent.