Submarine Optical Transmission Housing Layout for Dense Component Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing submarine optical transmission apparatuses face challenges in efficiently housing increasing numbers of optical and electric components due to complex wiring configurations and limited space, which complicates component mounting and connection work.

Innovation Solution

The submarine optical transmission apparatus is designed with a cylindrical case that houses stacked electric and optical component housing units, allowing for a larger component mounting surface area compared to traditional subunit configurations, thereby reducing the number of components needed and simplifying wiring connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of subunits is increased to accommodate more components, then the number of components to be mounted is increased, but the wiring structure becomes complicated and the space occupied by interconnections increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidwiring structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple subunits into a single integrated housing unit. Instead of having separate subunits that require extensive interconnections, all optical and electric components are consolidated into one housing, eliminating the need for complex wiring between multiple subunits while accommodating a larger number of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a longitudinal arrangement of subunits to a stacked configuration within a single housing. Components are arranged in three-dimensional space within the housing, allowing efficient use of space without requiring extensive interconnections between separate units.

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

2Quantity of substance

If the number of subunits is increased to accommodate more components, then the number of components to be mounted is increased, but the space occupied by interconnections increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidspace occupied by interconnections
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By consolidating all components into a single housing unit, the patent eliminates the need for extensive interconnections between multiple subunits. This merging approach significantly reduces the volume occupied by wiring and interconnections while accommodating a larger number of components within the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If components are mounted on traditional subunit configurations, then the wiring connecting work becomes difficult, but the component mounting flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring connecting workVSAvoidcomponent mounting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple compartments that can accommodate different types of components (optical components, electric components, power supply units). This segmentation allows for flexible component arrangement and mounting while simplifying wiring connections within each compartment, as components are grouped by function rather than requiring interconnections between separate subunits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3770662B1Submarine optical transmission device and submarine optical communications system
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 NEC CORP
  • EP3770662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3770662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3770662B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object to provide a submarine optical transmission apparatus capable of efficiently housing optical components and electric components. A submarine optical transmission apparatus (10) includes a case (1), an electric component housing unit (11), and an optical component housing unit (21). The electric component housing unit (11) and the optical component housing unit (21) can house either or both of an optical component and an electric component and are stacked in a Z-direction. The case (1) can house the electric component housing unit (11) and the optical component housing unit (21) that are stacked, and a longitudinal direction thereof is an X-direction.