Underground Splice Box With Widening Holder And Reflective Markers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current methods for handling and storing excess lengths of underground fibre optic cables are cumbersome, costly, and require skilled labor due to the need for precise splicing and watertight sealing, which increases time and expense, especially when modifications are needed.
Innovation Solution
A holder design with a widening internal space that allows excess cable to be rolled up around a vertical axis, held by the internal surface, and features a resilient marking device and a splice box placement that simplifies access and reduces the complexity of locating and accessing the cables underground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the splice box is made watertight to protect optical fibres against moisture, then the protection against environmental factors is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The splice box is extracted from the handhole structure, allowing the handhole to remain non-watertight while the splice box provides localized protection. This separation eliminates the need for complex watertight sealing of the entire handhole assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice box is placed inside the handhole structure, creating a nested configuration where the smaller splice box provides watertight protection while the larger handhole provides structural support and cable storage without requiring watertight sealing.
2Reliability
If the splice box and excess cable are stored at a depth of 60 cm to prevent damage, then the protection against mechanical damage is improved, but the difficulty of locating and accessing the cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reflective markers are attached to the cable ends and splice box, which reflect light from locators to enable easy detection and positioning of buried cables and splice boxes at depth without requiring excavation.
Solution Approach 2:
A locator device with reflective markers serves as an intermediary between the buried cable infrastructure and the surface operators, enabling indirect detection and positioning without direct visual contact or excavation.
3Ease of operation
If the cable excess length is stored in a unstructured manner to simplify storage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of cable damage during excavation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The excess cable is wound into a circular or spiral configuration around a support structure within the handhole, which prevents tangling and damage while maintaining easy accessibility. The curved arrangement distributes mechanical stress evenly and prevents sharp bends.
4Ease of operation
If the splice box is placed above ground to facilitate access for splicing work, then the ease of operation is improved, but the protection against environmental factors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The splicing operation is extracted from the buried environment by providing cable access through the handhole to a vehicle or work position above ground, while the splice box remains protected underground. This allows splicing work to be performed in a controlled environment without exposing the splice box to environmental factors.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a holder for a(n optical fibre) cable, which holder can be buried in the ground, and an associated splice box. The splice box has a ceiling, a bottom side and a housing wall extending therebetween. The housing wall and the ceiling are airtight and watertight. The bottom side of the splice box is open. The splice box is arranged with the open bottom side pointing downwards. The holder has vertical side walls which widen, viewed from top to bottom. The holder is provided with one or more resilient stems as marking elements tracing the buried holder. The holder has a cover at the top side for allowing access to the interior of the holder. A slab assembly is provided around the access opening for covering the area surrounding the access opening when the latter is open.