Rack-Mountable Fiber Optic Splice Enclosure with Sliding Tray

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Large count fiber optic cables with rigid jackets pose challenges in routing and bending within existing fiber optic splice enclosures, requiring flexible cable management solutions to accommodate tight bends and efficient splicing operations.

Innovation Solution

A rack-mountable fiber optic splice enclosure with a sliding tray and removable panels allows for flexible routing and splicing of cables, using breakout boxes to convert rigid jackets to flexible ones and incorporating cable entry brackets and splice trays for secure and organized cable management, enabling efficient splicing and service access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid jacketed fiber optic cables are routed through traditional splice enclosures, then cable strength and protection are improved, but routing flexibility and bend capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protectionVSAvoidrouting flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid cable is segmented into multiple flexible sub-units through the breakout box, allowing each sub-unit to be routed independently with appropriate bend radii while maintaining the overall cable's protective jacketing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A breakout box serves as an intermediary device between the rigid jacketed cable and the splice enclosure, converting the rigid cable into flexible sub-units that can be easily routed and managed within the enclosure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fixed splice enclosures are used, then structural stability is improved, but accessibility for maintenance and cable management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The splice enclosure incorporates removable panels and sliding trays that can be dynamically adjusted or removed, providing easy access to splice points for maintenance while maintaining structural integrity when closed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure is segmented into removable panels and movable trays, allowing specific sections to be accessed independently for maintenance without disturbing the entire structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional space is allocated for cable management, then routing flexibility is improved, but enclosure size and space requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidenclosure size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The breakout box and cable management components are nested within the splice enclosure, utilizing vertical space and internal cavities to provide routing flexibility without increasing the overall footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3752875B1Rack-mountable fiber optic splice enclosure

Publication Date: 2024.10.02 PANDUIT CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a rack-mountable fiber optic splice enclosure (100). The fiber optic splice enclosure (100) may include a body (101) having two opposing side walls and a bottom and a cover (102) attached to the body (101). The fiber optic splice enclosure (100) may also include a sliding tray (104) disposed on two guide rails (110) on the bottom of the body (101). At least one removable panel (105) is removably attached to the cover (102) via at least a pair of latches (107, 108) so that the removable panel (105) is detachable from the cover (102) and can be attached to the sliding tray (104) at an angle to serve as a work surface for splice trays (121).