Modular Slack Storage Basket Expansion for Fiber Cable Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic enclosure storage solutions have limited volume capacity, necessitating replacement or modification when additional cable storage is required, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular wall expander system for fiber optic enclosures that can be attached to the slack storage basket to increase its volume, allowing for greater cable storage without replacing the enclosure, featuring a capture feature and retention tab system for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the enclosure uses a fixed-volume slack storage basket, then the enclosure structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the storage capacity is limited and cannot be expanded when more cable storage is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The slack storage basket is divided into modular sections with interchangeable side walls. Each side wall can be independently replaced with an extended version, allowing the basket to be segmented and reconfigured to increase storage capacity without redesigning the entire enclosure structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls of the slack storage basket are designed to be replaceable and extendable, transforming the fixed-volume structure into a dynamic, adjustable-volume structure. This allows the storage capacity to adapt to different cable storage requirements while maintaining a simple base structure.
2Quantity of substance
If the enclosure replaces the entire closure to increase storage volume, then the storage capacity is sufficient, but the cost and time for replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls of the slack storage basket are extracted as separate, replaceable components. This allows only the necessary basket components to be modified or replaced, rather than replacing the entire closure, thereby reducing both time and cost while achieving increased storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing side walls of the slack storage basket can be removed and replaced with extended versions. The base basket structure is retained and reused, discarding only the limited-capacity side walls and recovering the value of the main enclosure body, thus avoiding full replacement.
3Quantity of substance
If the enclosure uses a fixed-volume slack storage basket, then the manufacturing cost is low, but additional cable storage requires costly enclosure replacement
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the side walls into replaceable modules, the manufacturing process is simplified. Standardized side wall components can be produced economically and swapped as needed, avoiding the high cost of custom enclosure replacements while providing scalable storage solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended side walls are designed as universal components that can be applied to multiple baskets and configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single extended side wall design to serve various storage expansion needs, reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure to house a connection includes a closure base and a closure cover to define an interior space. A slack storage basket within the interior space includes a floor portion, a first side portion attached to the floor portion and a second side portion attached to the floor portion. The floor portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion define a volume configured to contain a length of a cable, wherein the connection is associated with at least some of the cable. A third side portion and a fourth side portion are selectively attachable to the first side portion and the second side portion, respectively, to increase a dimension of the slack storage basket. When at least one of the third side portion or the fourth side portion are attached to the slack storage basket, the volume is increased to store an increased length of the cable.