Splice Holder Flexible Arms for Vibration-Resistant Fiber Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current double-layer splice protection sleeve securing structure in optical distribution networks is not secure enough, leading to instability and risk of optical fiber breakage due to vibration and poor maintenance access.
Innovation Solution
A splice holder with flexible arms and stoppers on a retaining plate that elastically secure and guide splice protection sleeves, preventing movement and ensuring firm installation, even when fully loaded or not, by using first and second flexible arms and stoppers to restrict axial and upward movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a double-layer splice protection sleeve securing structure is used to maximize loading capacity, then the accommodating area can be fully loaded, but the upper-layer splice protection sleeve becomes insecure and easily comes away
Solution Approach 1:
The securing structure is divided into multiple independent flexible arms (first and second flexible arms) that independently secure different layers of splice protection sleeves. Each flexible arm can independently adapt to the presence or absence of sleeves without affecting others, allowing full loading capacity while maintaining security for each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arms are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt their position and securing force based on the loading state. When splice protection sleeves are installed, the flexible arms deform to provide appropriate securing force; when not fully loaded, they naturally return to their original position without exerting excessive force on lower layers.
2Quantity of substance
If a double-layer splice protection sleeve structure is used, then loading capacity is maximized, but maintenance access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The securing structure uses separate first and second flexible arms that can independently be manipulated. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and adjust individual arms or specific layers of splice protection sleeves without having to remove or manipulate the entire securing structure, improving maintenance access while maintaining full loading capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If lower-layer splice protection sleeves are present in a fully loaded configuration, then loading capacity is maximized, but cantilevers open wider causing upper-layer sleeves to become insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible arms are designed with appropriate elastic properties that allow them to dynamically adjust their position based on the loading configuration. When lower-layer sleeves are present, the flexible arms deform to accommodate the wider cantilever opening while still providing sufficient securing force to upper-layer sleeves, maintaining both full loading capacity and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arms can change their physical state (deformed vs. natural state) based on loading conditions. This parameter change allows the structure to adapt to different loading configurations (fully loaded or partially loaded) while maintaining securing performance and stability in each state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively secures splice protection sleeves, preventing optical fiber breakage and facilitating easy installation and maintenance by providing a stable and scalable mechanism for various splice protection sleeve lengths and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the first flexible arm is elastically deformed and secures the splice protection sleeves in the accommodating area under the action of the elastic force generated after elastic deformation of the first flexible arm
Implementation Method 2
the second flexible arm bends towards the accommodating area when in a natural state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
This application provides a splice holder (1), including a substrate (11) and at least two retaining plates (12) disposed on the substrate (11), where there are at least two retaining plates (12) disposed opposite to each other in the at least two retaining plates (12), to form at least one accommodating area (13) configured to accommodate a splice protection sleeve (2); for any accommodating area (13), at least one first flexible arm (121) is disposed on at least one retaining plate (12) that forms the accommodating area (13), and the first flexible arm (121) bends towards the accommodating area (13) when in a natural state; a stopper (122) is further disposed on a top end that is of the retaining plate (12) and that is away from the substrate (11); and when the splice protection sleeve (2) is installed in the accommodating area (13), the first flexible arm (121) is elastically deformed and secures the splice protection sleeve (2) in the accommodating area (13) under the action of an elastic force, and the stopper (122) is configured to restrict movement of the splice protection sleeve (2) in a direction away from the substrate (11). This application further provides a splice tray, including the splice holder. Structures of the splice holder and the splice tray are used, to improve performance in securing the splice protection sleeve in a case of vibration and prevent optical fibers from breaking or prevent the splice protection sleeve from coming away.