Spillover Fitting With Containment Member For Cable Bend Radius Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spillover fittings for cable management systems, particularly in field applications, do not adequately control the bend radius of fiber optic cables when routing them out of ducts and raceways, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A spillover fitting with a containment member and extension flange is positioned over a lateral trough, featuring a T-shaped containment member with snap features and flexible arms to securely route and protect cables, providing controlled exit and entry paths with adjustable bend radius management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple spillover fitting is used to route cables out of ducts and raceways, then cable routing is achieved, but bend radius control is insufficient leading to potential cable damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protectionVSAvoidspillover fitting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spillover fitting is divided into distinct functional segments: the spillover body for routing, the extension flange for attachment, and the containment member for bend radius control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system reliability and protecting cables from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a containment member is added to control bend radius, then cable damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebend radius controlVSAvoidspillover fitting components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The containment member is integrated with the extension flange through snap features, combining the bend radius control function with the attachment function in a unified structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining effective cable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The containment member features curved surfaces and rounded contours that naturally guide cables through controlled bend paths. The curved geometry provides inherent bend radius control without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spillover fitting is designed for field applications, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield application flexibilityVSAvoidsnap feature alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The snap features are designed with flexible arms that can deflect during installation to accommodate minor misalignments. This dynamic characteristic allows the containment member to be installed on the extension flange without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, while still providing secure attachment and effective cable containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2356726B1Spillover fitting

Publication Date: 2014.07.09 PANDUIT CORP

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AI summary

The present invention is directed to a spillover fitting (100) that routes cables from a lateral trough. The spillover fitting includes fitting walls (105) and a floor positioned between the fitting walls. The floor has an extension flange (110) that extends into the lateral trough. The spillover fitting also includes a containment member (115) that extends from the extension flange. The containment member is positioned over the lateral trough to contain cables routed out of the lateral trough into the spillover fitting.