Terminal Cable Spool Enclosure With Removable Access Skirt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber optic enclosures face issues with managing varying lengths of subscriber cable, as spools are either recessed and difficult to access or exposed, leading to access limitations and potential tampering.

Innovation Solution

A cable spool module with a flexible skirt that can be moved between a storage state to block access and a payout state to allow access, coupled with a retention member to secure the terminal to the spool, enabling easy handling and protection of the cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the spool is recessed within the interior of an enclosure, then the cable is protected from tampering, but access to the spool becomes limited and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetampering protectionVSAvoidaccess to spool

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure transitions from a static enclosed structure to a dynamic configuration where the front wall can be removed or opened, allowing the spool to move between a protected recessed state and an accessible exposed state. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by enabling both protection during storage and easy access during cable payout operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure is segmented into a removable front wall portion, allowing the enclosure to be opened for spool access while maintaining the protective enclosure structure. This segmentation enables selective access to the spool without compromising the overall protective function of the enclosure when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the spool is provided on a separate plate or in a separate enclosure, then the spool is accessible, but the spool is exposed to the environment and subject to tampering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to spoolVSAvoidtampering protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spool assembly is merged with the enclosure structure such that the spool is mounted within the enclosure body itself rather than on a separate plate. This integration allows the spool to be accessible when the enclosure is opened while being protected when the enclosure is closed, eliminating the need to choose between accessibility and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the spool is recessed within an enclosure with walls, then the cable is protected, but the walls create access limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protectionVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure structure is segmented with a removable front wall, creating a simplified configuration that maintains protection when closed but eliminates access limitations when opened. This segmentation reduces the effective complexity by allowing the enclosure to transition between states rather than requiring complex access mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12386130B2Spool enclosure for a terminal

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 PPC BROADBAND FIBER LTD

AI summary

A cable spool module for a terminal module includes a skirt, a cable spool and a retention member. The cable spool may include a lower flange, an upper flange and a barrel disposed between the lower and upper flanges. The retention member may be configured to couple a terminal module to the cable spool. The skirt may be configured to be removed from the lower flange to permit access to the cable spool and the slack fiber optic cable wound on the cable spool.