Stackable Fiber Spool with Pivoting Retaining Arms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber management systems fail to effectively limit the bend radius of optical fibers and cables, leading to signal loss when the fibers or cables are bent beyond their limits, and are cumbersome for adding or removing lengths.
Innovation Solution
A spool design featuring a barrel with flanges and retaining arms that engage via mechanisms and hinges, allowing the arms to pivot up to 90 degrees, enabling easy installation and removal of fibers or cables while maintaining bend limits, and allowing for stacking with a friction-fit or adhesive connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clips are used to position fiber within a management shelf, then ease of positioning is improved, but the ability to limit bend radius deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the fiber management function into two distinct components: positioning clips for easy placement and a spool mechanism with retaining arms for bend radius control. The spool is divided into a barrel, flanges, and multiple retaining arms that can independently engage with the fiber cable, allowing each component to specialize in its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool acts as an intermediary device between the positioning clips and the fiber cable. It provides a mechanical structure that physically constrains the fiber path around its circumference, ensuring the bend radius remains within safe limits while the clips handle the positioning function.
2Reliability
If conventional spools are used to ensure bend limits are not exceeded, then reliability is improved, but ease of adding or removing fiber deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot on hinges and engage or disengage from the fiber cable dynamically. This dynamic structure enables quick installation by simply placing the fiber on the spool and automatic engagement of the arms, and easy removal by disengaging the arms without complex tools or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms automatically engage with the fiber cable when it is placed on the spool, providing self-service retention without requiring additional fastening operations. The arms pivot into position and hold the fiber in place through their geometric configuration and engagement mechanisms.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple spools are stacked for efficient storage, then space utilization is improved, but connection security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spools are designed to stack vertically one on top of another, with the bottom spool nesting within the space defined by the top spool's flanges and barrel. This nested arrangement maximizes vertical space utilization while maintaining structural integrity of each individual spool.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spools are combined into a stacked assembly where they share vertical space but maintain independent functional integrity. The engagement mechanisms on each spool remain effective even when stacked, ensuring connection security is not compromised by the stacking arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A spool including a barrel extending up from a bottom portion, a plurality of flanges extending from an outer circumferential surface of the barrel, a plurality of retaining arms extending up from an annular portion of the bottom portion, the annular portion extending radially away from the outer circumferential surface of the barrel, engagement mechanisms on at least one of the plurality of flanges and the plurality of retaining arms, wherein the engagement mechanisms cause the plurality of flanges and the plurality of retaining arms to become engaged, and a hinge on each of the plurality of retaining arms.