Universal Splice Holder for Heat-Shrink and Crimp Protectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing splice holders for optical fiber splices are not universal and have limited capacity, as they are specifically designed for either heat-shrink or crimp splice protectors, and cannot efficiently accommodate a large number of protectors within a restricted space.
Innovation Solution
A splice holder with separable sections that can hold both heat-shrink and crimp splice protectors, featuring sloped partitions and compartments to maximize capacity, allowing for the accommodation of multiple protectors within a defined volume by adjusting the sections based on protector type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a splice holder is designed for a specific type of splice protector (heat-shrink or crimp), then it can provide optimized holding structure for that type, but it cannot accommodate the other type and has limited versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The splice holder is divided into two separate sections: a first section configured to hold heat-shrink splice protectors and a second section configured to hold crimp splice protectors. Each section can be independently removed, allowing the holder to adapt to different splice protector types while maintaining optimized structural features for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice holder transitions from a static, fixed-design structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The removable sections allow the holder to change its configuration based on the type of splice protector being installed, enabling adaptability without requiring a completely different holder design.
2Quantity of substance
If a splice holder is designed with fixed structure for specific splice protector type, then manufacturing is simplified, but capacity for splice protectors in defined space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the holder into multiple sections with sloped columns and partitions, the design maximizes the number of splice protectors that can be held in a defined vertical space. Each section can accommodate multiple protectors stacked in sloped columns, increasing overall capacity while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice holder utilizes vertical stacking in sloped columns to increase capacity within a restricted horizontal footprint. By arranging splice protectors in vertical stacks with sloped orientations, the holder effectively uses the vertical dimension to maximize the quantity of protectors accommodated in a defined space.
3Ease of operation
If separate splice holders are used for heat-shrink and crimp protectors, then each holder can be optimized for its specific type, but space efficiency and installation flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of separate heat-shrink and crimp splice holder designs into a single universal holder. Both sections are integrated into one holder assembly with a common base structure, allowing both types of splice protectors to be held in a single device while maintaining optimized holding features for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice holder is designed as a universal device that can accommodate both heat-shrink and crimp splice protectors. The holder performs multiple functions by providing specialized holding sections for each protector type, eliminating the need for multiple separate holders and improving installation flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A splice holder (10) for splice protectors protecting splices between optical fibers provided by single fiber splicing, comprising: a first splice holder section (11) being configured to hold a plurality of heat-shrink splice protectors in an arrangement of a plurality of sloped columns of stacked heat-shrink splice protectors; and a second splice holder section (12) being configured to hold a plurality of crimp splice protectors in an ar-rangement of a plurality sloped columns of stacked crimp splice protectors; wherein the first splice holder section (11) and the second splice holder section (12) are connected together by elements (22, 23) providing predetermined breaking points so that the first splice holder section (11) and the second splice holder section (12) are separable from each other by breaking one of the sections (11, 12) from the other section (12, 11) along the breaking points.