Splice Sleeve Holder Layout for Mixed-Size Stable Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional splice sleeve holders are unsuitable for retaining different sizes of splice sleeves, leading to poor resistance to movement and reduced capacity for spliced connections, especially under shock or vibration, and often require complex manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A splice sleeve holder with a base substrate and multiple retaining walls featuring channels, retaining protrusions, and staggered arrangements to securely hold splice sleeves of varying sizes, enhancing retention strength and density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional splice sleeve holders are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the holder cannot retain different sizes of splice sleeves and provides poor resistance to movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to retain different sizes of splice sleevesVSAvoidresistance to movement of splice sleeves
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining wall is segmented into multiple sections with different heights, creating a stepped configuration. Each segment can accommodate splice sleeves of different diameters, allowing a single holder design to retain various sizes of splice sleeves while maintaining stable retention through the segmented structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the retaining wall are designed with different heights to match the specific retention needs for splice sleeves of varying sizes. The local height variation provides customized retention for each position, ensuring adequate support for both small and large splice sleeves without compromising stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If retention features such as independent molded fingers are added to prevent movement, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unwanted movement of spliced connectionVSAvoidcomplexity of injection molds with very small features
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention features are merged with the retaining wall structure itself rather than being separate independent molded fingers. The retaining protrusions are integrated directly into the retaining wall, eliminating the need for complex separate retention components and simplifying the injection mold design while still providing effective movement prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines channel boundaries, and incorporates retention features through integrated protrusions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate retention components, simplifying the overall device structure and manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If retention features with independent molded fingers are included, then movement prevention improves, but the number of spliced connections that can be housed within a given area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of splice sleevesVSAvoiddensity of spliced connections per unit area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention function is merged into the retaining wall structure itself through integrated protrusions, eliminating the need for separate independent molded fingers. This integration maximizes the use of available space, allowing more splice connections to be housed within a given area while maintaining reliable retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention features utilize the vertical dimension through the stepped configuration of the retaining wall, with protrusions extending at different heights. This vertical utilization of space allows effective retention without consuming additional horizontal space, thereby increasing the density of spliced connections that can be accommodated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4650847A1Splice sleeve holders and trays including the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 CORNING RES & DEV CORP
  • EP4650847A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650847A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650847A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A splice sleeve holder configured to retain splice sleeves includes a base substrate and a plurality of retaining walls extending from the base substrate. The plurality of retaining walls include a first retaining wall, a second retaining wall and a third retaining wall, wherein each of the plurality of retaining walls extend from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction, a first channel is defined between the first retaining wall and the second retaining wall, and a second channel is defined between the second retaining wall and the third retaining wall. Each of the plurality of retaining walls includes one or more retaining protrusions, wherein the one or more retaining protrusions are arranged to retain a splice sleeve of the first channel in a vertically staggered configuration relative to a splice sleeve of the second channel.