Adjustable Cable Guide Bracket for Dense Chassis Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable management in networking devices is challenging due to the complexity of routing numerous cables with varying orientations and the need for directional control, especially in high-density configurations where static cable guides can cause misalignment and interference with adjacent modules.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable cable management system featuring a cable guide connector that slides and rotates within a networking chassis slot, allowing for flexible alignment and orientation of cable management brackets to accommodate different card configurations and egress directions, maintaining a proper bend radius and preventing cable interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If static cable guides are used in high-density configurations, then cable routing is simplified, but misalignment and interference with adjacent modules occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing complexityVSAvoidcable alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming static cable guides into adjustable and rotatable cable management components. The cable management bracket can be positioned at different locations along the chassis perimeter and rotated to various orientations, allowing dynamic adaptation to different card configurations and cable routing requirements, thereby eliminating misalignment issues while maintaining routing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If cable management brackets are fixed in position, then installation is straightforward, but flexibility to accommodate different card configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cable management system into modular components: a cable management bracket that can be independently positioned and oriented, and a chassis with multiple mounting locations. This modular approach allows the bracket to be installed at different positions and angles to accommodate various card configurations while maintaining simple installation procedures through standardized mounting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the fixed cable management bracket into a dynamic component that can be adjusted to different positions along the chassis perimeter and rotated to various orientations. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different card configurations and cable routing requirements without complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If cable routing space is minimized in high-density configurations, then space efficiency is improved, but cable bend radius requirements are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable management spaceVSAvoidcable integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing the perimeter of the chassis as a cable management boundary. Instead of managing cables within the limited internal space, the system routes cables along the chassis perimeter, effectively using the external dimensional space. This approach minimizes internal cable management space requirements while maintaining adequate cable bend radii for reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3607755B1Adjustable cable management slide and direction control for optimized routing
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3607755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3607755B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3607755B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed comprising a cable management bracket and a cable guide connector configured to engage a slot of a networking chassis having a length extending along a first axis. The cable guide connector comprises a center section configured to slide within the slot along the first axis and having an aperture configured to receive a retainer to secure the cable guide connector by compression at a selected position along the length of the slot. The cable guide connector further defines a plurality of apertures configured to engage a protrusion of the cable management bracket and defines a plurality of selectable angles at which the cable management bracket can be positioned relative to a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis through which the slot extends.