Splice Tray Rail System for Fiber Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiple splice tray installation systems, such as hinged and strapped designs, face difficulties in accessing interior trays without damaging optical fibers and require cumbersome processes for adding or removing trays, leading to inefficiencies in field operations.

Innovation Solution

A splice tray rail system comprising a tray holder with flexible snap mechanisms and a rail with perpendicular portions, allowing trays to be easily inserted, removed, and repositioned without disturbing adjacent trays, ensuring secure holding and improved access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hinged splice trays are used, then the splice trays can be connected to each other or to a backbone hinge plate, but it is difficult to insert new splice trays into a pre-existing stack or remove an installed splice tray

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting and removing splice traysVSAvoidcomplexity of hinge connection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the splice tray connection into modular segments where each tray can be independently attached and detached from the rail without affecting other trays. The rail is segmented with multiple engagement points, allowing individual tray insertion and removal while maintaining the integrity of the overall stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection is extracted from the tray structure and replaced with a separate rail-based retention mechanism. This allows the connection function to be decoupled from the tray itself, enabling easier insertion and removal without the constraints of integral hinge features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If hinged splice trays are used, then the splice trays can pivot about the hinge axis, but it is difficult for field technicians to access the interior of a splice tray due to interference with the bottom surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to splice tray interiorVSAvoidphysical configuration of hinge near tray edge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is completely extracted from the tray design and replaced with a rail-mounted retention system. This removes the physical interference caused by hinges located near the tray edge, providing unobstructed access to the tray interior while maintaining secure retention through the rail engagement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail system acts as an intermediary between the tray and the mounting structure, eliminating the need for direct hinge connections at the tray edge. This intermediary mechanism provides retention functionality without the physical interference that hindered technician access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If strapped splice trays are used, then the splice trays can be held in place on a base plate, but all retaining straps must be removed to access a specific splice tray, allowing all trays to move and risking fiber bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to specific splice trayVSAvoidrisk of fiber bending during access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retention system is segmented into independent tray-rail engagement points, allowing individual trays to be accessed without affecting the position of other trays. Each tray can be independently removed from the rail while remaining trays maintain their secured positions, eliminating the risk of fiber bending associated with removing all straps simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rail system serves as an intermediary structure that provides individual tray retention, replacing the collective strap system. This allows selective access to specific trays while maintaining the positional stability of adjacent trays through the continuous rail structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If strapped splice trays are used, then the splice trays can be stacked onto a base plate, but other features must be added to store the splice trays when access is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in tray positioning and storageVSAvoidadditional features required for tray storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rail system provides multiple functions within a single structure: it serves as the mounting structure, the retention mechanism, and the storage configuration simultaneously. The same rail that secures trays in operational positions also provides the storage configuration, eliminating the need for separate storage features and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9195020B2Splice tray rail system

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 AFL COMM LLC

AI summary

A splice tray rail system includes a splice tray assembly which includes a splice tray and a tray holder and a rail having a first portion and the second portion. The splice tray assembly is disposed in a first direction when the splice tray is engaged with the first portion of the rail, and the splice tray assembly is disposed in a second direction when the splice tray is engaged with the second portion of the rail.