Telecommunications Cable Inlet Device with Breakout Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telecommunication enclosures face challenges in accommodating multiple cables, including optical fibers and power cables, within a single entry port, particularly when these cables are housed in protective conduits, requiring effective environmental protection and efficient cable management to minimize the number of entry points and reduce enclosure size on cell towers.
Innovation Solution
The development of an inlet device with a breakout portion that can be connected to a conduit, featuring a housing with a compression member and break-out channels, allowing for the secure and environmentally sealed entry of multiple cables, including optical fibers and power cables, through a single port, reducing the need for multiple entry points and enhancing cable protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cables are routed through separate entry ports, then each cable is protected individually, but the number of entry points increases and enclosure size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cable entry functions into a single integrated inlet device that accommodates both conduit-mounted cables and non-conduit cables through one entry port. The housing includes a conduit coupling for sealed conduit connections and break-out channels for additional cables, merging what would traditionally require separate entry points into a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet device is segmented into functional zones within a single housing: a conduit coupling section for sealed conduit connections, a compression member section for cable securing, and break-out channels for additional cables. This segmentation allows different cable types to be accommodated simultaneously while maintaining environmental protection through a unified sealed structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conduit is used to protect cables, then environmental protection is improved, but the complexity of cable management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet device acts as an intermediary between the conduit and the enclosure interior, providing a transition zone that maintains environmental sealing. The housing with its sealed conduit coupling and internal channels mediates the connection, allowing cables to transition from conduit-protected to non-conduit environments while maintaining protection through the sealed housing structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional grommets are used for cable entry, then installation is simple, but the ability to accommodate multiple cable types in a single port is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet device is designed as a universal entry solution that can accommodate multiple cable types and configurations through a single port. The housing includes a conduit coupling for conduit-mounted cables, compression members for cable securing, and break-out channels for additional non-conduit cables, providing multi-functional capability that replaces multiple conventional grommet installations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient routing of communication cables and power cables through a single port, providing environmental protection and minimizing the size of the telecommunication enclosure, thereby reducing lease fees and enhancing the data capacity of cell towers by supporting advanced antenna systems and high-bandwidth LTE/4G services.
Implementation Method 1
a compression member attached to the second end of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an inlet device for inserting a plurality of cables containing optical fibers, copper wires or coax cable into port of a telecommunications enclosure. In particular, the exemplary inlet device includes a breakout portion that can be connected to a conduit carrying at least one of the cables to enter the enclosure. Specifically, the inlet device includes housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the housing includes, a compression member attached to the second end of the housing and a break-out portion attached to the compression member.