Splice Closure Cable Routing Layout for Tangle-Free Tray Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunications equipment frames face challenges in managing cables to avoid tangles and messes while maintaining compact size and easy access, with a need for improved cable management systems.

Innovation Solution

A splice equipment assembly with first and second cable routing paths extending along opposite sides of splice trays, allowing for efficient routing and splicing of cables within a central zone of a frame, with features like mirror-image paths, removable covers, and staggered splice trays for easy access and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If cables are routed through a compact frame structure, then space savings are achieved, but cable management becomes difficult and tangles occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe sizeVSAvoidcable management

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple compartments and sections, with dedicated cable management areas separated from equipment mounting areas. This segmentation allows cables to be organized in specific zones rather than freely moving throughout the entire frame, reducing tangles while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cable trays, conduits, and routing channels are introduced as intermediary structures between cable entry points and equipment connection points. These intermediaries guide cables through defined paths, preventing random routing and tangles while keeping the overall frame size compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cables are routed through the same frame, then connectivity is improved, but cable tangles and mess increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connectivityVSAvoidcable clutter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cables are divided into separate routing groups, with each group assigned to specific cable trays or conduits. This segmentation allows high cable capacity while preventing clutter by keeping different cable groups organized in distinct pathways rather than mixed together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cable routing utilizes three-dimensional space within the frame by employing vertical stacking of cable trays, horizontal conduits, and layered routing paths. This dimensional approach allows multiple cables to coexist without tangling by distributing them across different spatial dimensions rather than confining them to a single plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260043980A1Splice closure

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A splice equipment assembly includes two routing paths along opposite sides of a splice region. The two routing paths do not cross. The two routing paths do not extend circumferentially around the splice region. The two routing paths provide adequate slack to allow a splice tray to be removed from the splice region and moved to a workstation outside of the splice equipment assembly. Multiple splice equipment assemblies can be mounted to the same rack (e.g., at a front and rear of the rack).