Above-Rack Cable Carrier Pulley Layout for Safer Rack-to-Rack Pulling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cable installation in server racks are inefficient, and involve repeated ladder usage, and are damaging, and are dangerous, and involve frequent ladder repositioning, and are inefficient, and involve frequent ladder repositioning, which is time-consuming and risky.
Innovation Solution
A wire-pulley system with a cable carrier that allows cables to be advanced from one server rack to another without repeated ladder repositioning, using a wire-pulley system and cable carrier with deformable engaging structures to secure cables during lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a technician uses a ladder to incrementally advance cables across server racks, then the cables can be positioned between racks, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires frequent ladder repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
A cable carrier system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the technician and the cables. The carrier includes a wire-pulley system that spans across server racks, allowing cables to be pulled through the system without the technician needing to physically reach across each rack. This mediator enables continuous cable advancement from a single ladder position.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable carrier system introduces a vertical dimension to the cable installation process. Instead of horizontally reaching across racks at technician level, the system positions cables vertically above the racks on the carrier. This dimensional change allows the technician to work from ground level while cables are advanced horizontally across multiple racks through the elevated carrier system.
2Productivity
If a technician repeatedly repositions the ladder to pull cables farther across server racks, then cables can be advanced to distant racks, but the risk of technician injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire-pulley system serves as a mechanical intermediary that transfers the pulling force from the technician to the cables over long distances. The technician pulls on the wire at one end of the carrier system, and the pulleys guide this force to advance cables across multiple racks without the technician needing to physically move or climb ladders repeatedly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable carrier system is divided into multiple pulley stations positioned above different server racks. This segmentation allows the cable advancement path to be broken into manageable sections, each handled by a pulley, while the technician remains at a single safe location pulling the wire through the entire segmented system.
3Ease of manufacture
If cables are manually advanced through repeated ladder repositioning, then installation can be completed, but cable damage risk increases due to increased contact and disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The cable carrier system acts as a protective intermediary that supports and guides cables during advancement. Cables are fed through the carrier system in a controlled manner, minimizing bending, twisting, and contact with rough surfaces. The pulleys provide smooth guidance points that reduce friction and mechanical stress on the cables compared to manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable carrier system is pre-configured with pulleys and guidance mechanisms in optimal positions above each server rack. This preliminary arrangement ensures that cables follow a predetermined safe path during installation, avoiding obstacles and minimizing the number of handling operations required before cables reach their final destinations.
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
Reduces cable damage and technician injury risk while increasing efficiency by allowing cables to be advanced in a single motion, minimizing ladder placements and reducing time consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A wire-pulley system may be provided above a plurality of server racks within a server room. The wire-pulley system may include a wire operably coupled to a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel
Implementation Method 2
The wire may be looped around the first and second pulley wheels, such that a point in the wire is laterally movable between the pulley wheels when the pulley wheels are rotated
Implementation Method 3
The cable carrier may include a plurality of deformable engaging structures positioned along a central body of the cable carrier, each of the deformable engaging structures configured to frictionally engage a cable
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for positioning cables within a server room, which includes a wire-pulley system which includes a wire operably coupled to a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel. The wire is looped around the first and second pulley wheel such that a point in the wire is laterally movable between the first and second pulley wheels when the first and second pulley wheels are rotated. The system for positioning cables includes a cable carrier which is removably coupled to the point in the wire. The cable carrier includes a central body defining an elongated vertical structure. The cable carrier includes a plurality of posts extending laterally from the central body, where gaps defined between adjacent posts define receiving slots, where each of the plurality of receiving slots are configured to removably receive a segment of an electronics cable.