Rotating Bracket Splice Tray Enclosure for Maintenance Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing splice tray enclosures face difficulties in accessing and maintaining individual splice trays, especially when multiple trays are collocated, due to their arrangement which can lead to handling challenges and protection issues against mechanical disturbances.

Innovation Solution

An enclosure with a rotating bracket system that couples splice trays, allowing them to pivot about an axis and secure in discrete positions, facilitating easier access and maintenance by enabling longitudinal movement of the locking lug for repositioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple splice trays are arranged in a single enclosure for ordinance and protection, then protection against mechanical disturbances is improved, but accessibility for maintenance and new connections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against mechanical disturbancesVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed to rotate about an axis, allowing the splice trays to be dynamically repositioned from a horizontal stored position to a vertical working position. This dynamic capability enables easy access to individual splice trays for maintenance while maintaining protection when in the horizontal position within the enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The splice trays are rotated from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement through the rotating bracket mechanism. This dimensional change allows individual trays to be accessed by rotating the bracket, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining the protective enclosure structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If splice trays are collocated in an enclosure, then space efficiency is improved, but handling difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure space utilizationVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating bracket allows splice trays to be easily repositioned between horizontal and vertical orientations. This dynamic mechanism simplifies handling during installation and maintenance while maximizing space utilization within the enclosure through efficient collocation of multiple trays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If splice trays are securely fixed in position, then protection against mechanical disturbances is improved, but repositioning for maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against shock and stressVSAvoidrepositioning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket provides secure fixation of splice trays in the horizontal position for protection against mechanical disturbances, while simultaneously enabling easy repositioning to vertical orientation for maintenance. The indexing mechanism ensures secure positioning in both stored and working configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket can be periodically rotated between horizontal (protected) and vertical (accessible) positions. This periodic repositioning allows the system to alternate between protection mode and maintenance mode, achieving both security and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8260105B2Enclosure for housing splice trays

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 BISON PATENT LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An enclosure for housing splice trays, including a bracket adapted to couple one or more splice trays to the enclosure, wherein the bracket is adapted to rotate the splice trays about an axis.