Pull-Out Assembly With Synchronous Rails for Optical Cable Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of subsequent maintenance of optical cables in optical splitter boxes is low due to disordered redundant cables when trays are pushed in after maintenance, and the force applied during tray movement can hinder proper operation.

Innovation Solution

A drawer-like assembly with a synchronous drive mechanism and slide rails ensures that redundant cables are inside the assembly when the tray is not pulled out, and the ratio of tray to slide rail velocities is fixed, evenly distributing force for smooth operation, preventing cable disorder and hindrance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If redundant optical cables are reserved on the outside of the tray to enable tray pull-out, then the tray can be properly maintained, but the redundant cables become disordered when the tray is pushed in, reducing subsequent maintenance efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetray maintenance accessibilityVSAvoidsubsequent maintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A cable management structure with guide channels and tensioning mechanisms is introduced as an intermediary between the tray and redundant cables. This intermediary component manages cable routing and positioning, ensuring cables remain organized during tray movement while enabling full pull-out capability for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Cables are pre-positioned and pre-organized using guide channels and routing structures before the tray is pulled out for maintenance. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the tray is pushed back in, cables automatically return to their organized positions, maintaining high subsequent maintenance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If force is applied during tray movement on the slide rail, then the tray can be pulled out or pushed in, but the force may be unevenly distributed, hindering tray movement and reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetray movement capabilityVSAvoidtray operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail system employs asymmetric force distribution mechanisms where the rail structure and support points are strategically positioned to compensate for uneven forces during tray movement. This asymmetric design ensures balanced force transmission despite the asymmetric loading conditions during pull-out and push-in operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Counterbalancing mechanisms are integrated into the slide rail system to offset uneven forces applied during tray movement. These mechanisms distribute the load more evenly across the support structure, preventing localized stress concentration and ensuring smooth, reliable tray operation throughout the movement cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP3699658B1Pull-out assembly
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3699658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3699658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3699658B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

This application discloses a drawer-like assembly, a subrack, and an optical splitter box, and pertains to the field of signal transmission. The drawer-like assembly includes a tray, two slide rails, two slide rail supports, and a synchronous drive mechanism. The tray is configured to dispose cables. Each of the two slide rails includes a sliding channel, and a clamping part and a bearing part that are located on two opposite sides of the sliding channel. Each clamping part is clamped to one slide rail support, and the bearing part is configured to support the tray. The synchronous drive mechanism includes a first drive part disposed in the slide rail support, a second drive part disposed in the slide rail, and a third drive part disposed in the tray. When the tray is under an external effect, the tray, the slide rail, and the slide rail support can move relative to each other with cooperation of the first drive part, the second drive part, and the third drive part. When the cables are disposed in the drawer-like assembly, redundant cables are located inside the drawer-like assembly, to effectively avoid disorder of the redundant cables outside the drawer-like assembly.