Patent Description:
Telecommunications equipment, for example for a Radio Access Network, may be contained within an enclosure or cabinet. The enclosure, or housing, may be installed outside and protects the telecommunications equipment from the weather. In particular, the enclosure may provide protection against ingress of contaminants, e.g. water ingress. The telecommunications equipment may be connected to other telecommunications equipment using optical fiber cables, comprising one or more optical fibers. It is necessary to provide for protection against contaminants, e.g. water, whilst allowing for installation or removal of the optical fiber cables.

<FIG> shows a prior art gasket <NUM> as part of a sealing unit for providing a seal to an enclosure. The gasket <NUM> provides for protection against contaminants, e.g. water, into the enclosure. The gasket <NUM> comprises an elongate section <NUM> of material comprising a plurality of apertures <NUM>. The elongate section <NUM> of material is resiliently deformable. Each aperture <NUM> is dimensioned to tightly fit around one optical fiber cable (not shown). The apertures <NUM> are arranged in a line, parallel to an edge <NUM> of the section <NUM> of material. The section <NUM> of material comprises a plurality of slots <NUM> extending between each aperture <NUM> and the edge <NUM> of the section <NUM> of material. The slots are resiliently closed, i.e. the material separated by the slots is abutting. The slots <NUM> are configured to provide for an optical fiber cable to be inserted into the slot, the slot resiliently deforming to allow passage of the optical fiber cable. Once the optical fiber cable is fully in the aperture <NUM>, the slot <NUM> closes, with the material <NUM> on either side of the slot closely abutting to prevent ingress of contaminants.

As shown in <FIG>, the sealing unit for the enclosure further comprises a retaining device <NUM>. The retaining device <NUM> is configured to securely hold the optical fiber cables in place. The retaining device <NUM> comprises a plurality of channels <NUM>. Each channel <NUM> is configured to receive one optical fiber cable. The channels <NUM> are dimensioned and shaped to securely hold in place an optical fiber cable, e.g. to restrain longitudinal and lateral movement of an optical fiber cable placed in the channels <NUM>. The sealing unit for the enclosure comprises a gasket <NUM> and at least one retaining device <NUM>. The apertures <NUM> and slots <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> are aligned with the channels <NUM> of the retaining device <NUM>. Thus, the sealing unit provides for insertion and removal of fiber optical cables, and for protection against ingress of contaminants into the enclosure.

The sealing unit provides for insertion of a limited number of fiber optical cables, that depends on the length of gasket <NUM> and the number of apertures <NUM> that the gasket <NUM> is able to host. For telecommunications equipment to connect using additional optical fiber cables, a different solution is required.

<CIT> describes a splice enclosure including sealing blocks for sealing the openings of its housing. Each sealing block defines cable ports and a slot extending from each port.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a sealing unit for cables according to claim <NUM>.

A further aspect of the disclosure provides an enclosure for telecommunications equipment according to claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The same reference numbers will used for corresponding features in different embodiments.

The disclosure relates to enclosure or cabinet comprising telecommunications equipment, for example for a Radio Access Network. In some examples, the telecommunications equipment comprises optical telecommunications equipment, e.g. comprising an optical interface. In some examples, cables provide for connection between parts of a radio base station, e.g. between telecommunications equipment in the enclosure and telecommunications equipment in a different enclosure or site. For example, the cables may provide a fronthaul connection for co-located or remote parts of the radio base station.

The enclosure, also referred to as a housing or cabinet, may be installed outside and provides protection for the telecommunications equipment from the weather. In particular, the enclosure may provide protection against ingress of contaminants, e.g. water ingress. The telecommunications equipment may be connected to the other telecommunications equipment using optical fiber cables comprising one or more optical fibers. The optical fiber cables may alternatively be referred to as fiber-optic cables, or as optical fibers. The enclosure provides protection against contaminants, e.g. water, whilst allowing for installation or removal of the cables, e.g. optical fiber cables.

<FIG> shows a gasket <NUM> as part of a sealing unit for providing a seal to an enclosure. For example, the enclosure may comprise an opening section or door (not shown). The opening section allows for access to the telecommunications equipment in the enclosure, for example, to allow cables to be connected to, or removed from, communications equipment within the enclosure. The opening section is in contact with the gasket, such that when the opening section is open, a lateral surface <NUM> (described below) of the gasket <NUM> is accessible. When the opening section is closed, the lateral surface is not accessible and the gasket <NUM> forms part of an outer surface of the enclosure. The opening section and gasket <NUM> together provide for protection against contaminants, e.g. water, into the enclosure.

The gasket <NUM> comprises an elongate section <NUM> of material comprising a plurality of apertures <NUM>. The elongate section <NUM> of material is resiliently or elastically deformable, for example, made of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or an elastomer, e.g. silicone rubber. Each aperture <NUM> is dimensioned to tightly fit around one optical fiber cable (shown below). In this example, the elongate section <NUM> has a length along a main longitudinal axis which is larger than its width. Alternatively, the length and width may be substantially the same or be in any ratio. The elongate section <NUM> may be referred to as a section <NUM>.

The section <NUM> of material comprises a plurality of slots <NUM> extending between each aperture <NUM> and a lateral edge <NUM> of the section <NUM> of material. The slots <NUM> are resiliently closed, i.e. the material separated by the slots is abutting. The slots <NUM> are configured to provide for an optical fiber cable to be inserted through the slot <NUM> and into the connected aperture <NUM>. A slot <NUM> (i.e. the material around the slots) is resiliently deformable to allow passage of a cable, e.g. an optical fiber cable. Once the optical fiber cable is fully in the aperture <NUM>, the slot <NUM> elastically closes, with the material <NUM> on either side of the slot closely abutting to prevent ingress of contaminants. The elastic property of the section <NUM> provides for elastic deformation of the material around the slot <NUM>, such that the slot closes and re-seals once the fiber optical cable has passed through the slot <NUM> and into the aperture <NUM> or out of the gasket. As such, it is intended that an optical fiber cable is inserted into the gasket <NUM> in a lateral direction, e.g. approximately vertically downward as shown, through one of the slots <NUM>. Thus, it is not necessary to insert the optical fiber cable longitudinally directly into the aperture <NUM>, which may not be possible due to a plug on an end of the optical fiber cable.

According to the claimed invention, the slots <NUM> do not extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the section <NUM>. Instead, the slots <NUM> extend an angle to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the section <NUM>. As such, the slots <NUM> do not extend on the shortest line between the apertures <NUM> and the lateral edge <NUM>. The slots <NUM> extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the section <NUM>, i.e. extend between the longitudinal axis of the section <NUM> and its perpendicular direction. The slots <NUM> may be straight as shown, or may be curved.

The plurality of apertures <NUM> are arranged in a two-dimensional array. The plurality of apertures <NUM> are located at different distances to the lateral edge <NUM>, onto which the slots <NUM> extend. The two-dimensional array may be considered as a dimension along the longitudinal or main axis of the gasket <NUM> and a dimension perpendicular, i.e. to the lateral edge <NUM>. As such, the length of the slots <NUM> are different for apertures <NUM> which are located at different distances to the lateral edge <NUM>. In the example shown, the slots <NUM> are substantially parallel to each other. The slots <NUM> extend to the same lateral edge <NUM>.

In some examples, the plurality of the apertures <NUM> vary in distance from an aperture <NUM> which is adjacent along a length (axis) of the lateral edge <NUM> or section <NUM> of material. As such, for at least some of the apertures <NUM>, adjacent apertures <NUM> are not at the same distance to the lateral edge <NUM>. Apertures 120a are closer to the lateral edge <NUM> than adjacent apertures 120b. The distance of adjacent apertures <NUM> does not increase in a monotonic function. Instead, the distance of adjacent apertures <NUM> from the lateral edge <NUM> is a non-monotonic function, e.g. the distance increases and decreases, e.g. alternates between two or more values. The alternating distances of the adjacent apertures 120a,120b means that the length of the slots <NUM> does not increase over the gasket <NUM>, instead the lengths of the slots <NUM> also alternates. Adjacent apertures <NUM> are offset from each other, e.g. in a direction towards the lateral edge. The two-dimensional array has a substantially elongate shape, extending with a long axis along the elongate section <NUM> of elastic material. The apertures <NUM> are independently accessible. For example, the gasket <NUM> allows any optical fiber cable to be inserted or removed in any order, i.e. it is not necessary to add or remove an optical fiber cable into a particular aperture <NUM> before another aperture <NUM>.

The distance between the aperture <NUM> and lateral edge <NUM> may refer to a length of the connecting slot <NUM> or may refer to a direct distance independent of the length of the connecting slot. Slots <NUM> of apertures 120b which are relatively far from the lateral edge <NUM> may pass near to, or between, apertures 120a which are relatively close to the lateral edge <NUM>. The two-dimensional array is shown as being a regular array, although the array may not be regular or have a different pattern.

In some examples, the apertures <NUM> comprise apertures 120a arranged along a first line <NUM> and apertures 120b arranged along a second line <NUM>. The first and second lines <NUM>,<NUM> are substantially parallel to each other and to the lateral edge <NUM> of the section <NUM> of material. The first line <NUM> and second line <NUM> are different distances to the lateral edge <NUM>. In this example, the first line <NUM> is closer to the second line <NUM>. Thus, the length of the slots <NUM> for the apertures <NUM> of the first line <NUM> are shorter than the length of the slots <NUM> for the apertures <NUM> of the second line <NUM>. Along the length of the lateral edge, or axis of the elongate section <NUM> of material, the apertures <NUM> alternate between the being located on the first line <NUM> and second line <NUM>. As such, the distance of adjacent apertures <NUM> to the lateral edge <NUM> alternates between two different distances. The slots <NUM> of the second line <NUM> pass between apertures <NUM> of the first line <NUM>. In some examples, the apertures <NUM> may be arranged in two, three or more lines, or in a different pattern without lines defining a regular array. In this example, the distance of the apertures <NUM> from the lateral edge <NUM> alternates between the, for example three, different distances.

The arrangement of apertures <NUM> in a two-dimensional array provides for the additional apertures to be located in a same length of the section <NUM> of material. The density of the apertures <NUM> per unit length of the section <NUM> of material (or unit length of lateral edge) is higher than apertures arranged in a single line as described for the prior art. The increased density of apertures is achieved with the same separation between adjacent apertures <NUM>. As such, the structural integrity of the resilient section <NUM> of material is maintained with the higher density of apertures, by arranging the apertures in a two-dimensional array as described. In particular, it has been realized that the resilient material required for sealing and to allow insertion of the cables through the slots <NUM> would not have the physical strength to operate without breaking if the apertures <NUM> were to be arranged in a single line with the density provided by the example of <FIG>. Alternatively, the disclosure may be seen as increasing a separation of apertures <NUM> for the same density per unit length of gasket <NUM>, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> shows a further example of gasket <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> comprises apertures <NUM>, connected with slots <NUM> to an adjacent lateral surface, as described. The gasket <NUM> is substantially shaped with a V-shape, having two sections 110a, 110b of resilient material. Each section 110a, 110b is as described for the section <NUM> above. Each section 110a, 110b comprises a two-dimensional array of apertures <NUM> connected to an adjacent lateral surface 150a, 150b by slots <NUM> as described above. As above, each section 110a, 110b provides for an increased density in apertures for the length of each section 110a, 110b. The lateral edges 150a,150b are one or more exterior facing sides of the V-shape. Further details of the gasket <NUM> are as described for the gasket <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a retaining device <NUM>, which is a further part of the sealing unit for the enclosure. In some examples, the sealing unit for the enclosure comprises a gasket <NUM>;<NUM> and at least one retaining device <NUM>. The retaining device <NUM> is configured to securely hold the optical fiber cables in place. Alternatively, the sealing unit may be considered as only the gasket of any example.

An example retaining device <NUM> comprises a plurality of channels <NUM>. Each channel <NUM> is configured to receive one cable, e.g. optical fiber cable. The channels <NUM> are dimensioned and shaped to securely hold in place an optical fiber cable, e.g. to restrain longitudinal and/or lateral movement of an optical fiber cable placed in the channel <NUM>. The apertures <NUM> and slots <NUM> of the gasket <NUM>;<NUM> are aligned with the channels <NUM> of the retaining device <NUM>. A cable inserted into a slot <NUM> of the gasket is substantially simultaneously inserted into the aligned channel <NUM> of the retaining device <NUM>. Thus, the sealing unit provides for insertion and removal of optical fiber cable, and for protection against ingress of contaminants into the enclosure.

In the example shown, the retaining device <NUM> has a V-shape, matching the V-shape of the gasket <NUM> described above. The retaining device <NUM> comprises a first section 115a corresponding to the first section 110a of gasket and a second section 115b corresponding to the second section 110b of gasket. Alternatively, the retaining device <NUM> has a shape which matches a different shape of gasket, e.g. gasket <NUM>, or matches only a part of a gasket.

The channels <NUM> have a proximal end <NUM> at a lateral edge 160a, 160b of the retaining device <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> at a far end of the channel. The channels <NUM> are configured to secure the cables in position at a particular securing position within the channel, which in this example, is the distal end <NUM> of the channel. In this example, the distal end <NUM> of the channels <NUM> are rounded to securely receive the optical fiber cables in the secured position. The sealing unit comprises a retaining device <NUM> with channels <NUM> which are aligned with and match slots <NUM> of the gasket, and securing positions <NUM> which are aligned with and match apertures <NUM> of the gasket.

The retaining device <NUM> comprises a plurality of channels <NUM> having different depths, i.e. the distance from the lateral edge 160a, 160b of the retaining device <NUM> to the securing position, i.e. distal end <NUM> of the channel. The different depths of channel <NUM> correspond to the different locations of the apertures <NUM> in the gasket. For example, the retaining device <NUM> comprises first channels 140a which have a relatively short depth, i.e. the securing position is relatively close to the lateral edge 160a, 160b. The distal end <NUM> of the channels 140a corresponds to a position of the apertures 120a located on the first line <NUM> of the gasket <NUM>;<NUM>. The retaining device <NUM> further comprises second channels 140b which have a relatively large depth, i.e. the securing position is relatively far from the lateral edge 160a, 160b. The distal end of the channels 140b corresponds to a position of the apertures 120b located on the second line <NUM> of the gasket <NUM>;<NUM>.

A fiber optical cable inserted into any aperture <NUM> is retained in place by a corresponding channel 140a,140b of the retaining device <NUM>. The retaining device is configured to secure the optical fiber cables in the location of the apertures <NUM>. The retaining device <NUM> comprises a plurality of channels <NUM>, wherein each channel <NUM> has a securing position <NUM> aligned with the apertures <NUM>. The securing positions <NUM> are arranged in a two-dimensional array, i.e. corresponding with the two-dimensional array of the apertures <NUM>.

The channels <NUM> have been described as securing the fiber optical cables at a distal end <NUM>. In other examples, the channels <NUM> may secure the fiber optical cables at any point.

The proposed solution allows to keep the cables locked in an intended position, providing for weatherproofing (e.g. waterproofing) of the enclosure and with a higher density in the same space. This allows to have a higher density of fibers keeping the design of the overall system, for example, the enclosure does not require modification. In some examples, a prior art design may provide for <NUM> fiber optical cables, and the present disclosure provides for <NUM> fiber optical cables. Although the disclosure has been described for fiber optical cables, the present disclosure may be applicable to other types of cable, e.g. electrical cables. References to fiber optical cables may be considered as a reference to a cable of any type.

<FIG> provides an example of part of an enclosure <NUM> for telecommunications equipment, e.g. optical telecommunications equipment. The enclosure <NUM> comprises a sealing unit <NUM>, the sealing unit <NUM> comprising the gasket <NUM> and retaining device <NUM> as described according to any example. The sealing unit <NUM> is attached to the enclosure, e.g. on an edge of an opening section or door of the enclosure. The gasket <NUM> and retaining device <NUM> are fixed to each other, and/or fixed to the enclosure, to have a fixed position to each other. The apertures <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> are aligned with the securing positions, i.e. distal ends <NUM>, of the channels <NUM> of the retaining device <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> comprises adjacent apertures 120a, 120b which are offset from each other, i.e. at different distances from the lateral edge 150a, 150b. The securing positions <NUM> of the retaining device <NUM> are corresponding also offset from each other. Thus, the enclosure <NUM> can be sealed with the optical fiber cables secured in a two-dimensional array. The two-dimensional array extends on one or more substantially elongate sections <NUM> of gasket.

Claim 1:
A sealing unit (<NUM>) for cables extending into an enclosure comprising telecommunications equipment;
the sealing unit (<NUM>) comprising a gasket (<NUM>) having:
an elongate section (<NUM>) of resilient material comprising a plurality of apertures (<NUM>), wherein each aperture is arranged to receive a cable (<NUM>);
the elongate section (<NUM>) comprising slots (<NUM>) connecting the apertures (<NUM>) to a lateral edge (<NUM>) of the elongate section (<NUM>),
wherein the slots (<NUM>) extend at an angle to a perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate section (<NUM>) and the resilient material, separated by the slots (<NUM>), is abutting; wherein the apertures (<NUM>) are arranged in a two-dimensional array;
and wherein the elongate section (<NUM>) is resiliently deformable around the slots (<NUM>) to provide for a cable to pass through the slot and re-seal after the cable has passed through the slot.