Adjustable Cable Tray Assembly for Mid-Plane Connector Tolerance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mid-plane connector designs face challenges in managing positional tolerances between circuit boards, leading to difficulties in achieving precise connections, especially when using cable trays, which lack the ability to absorb dimensional variances and require precise control over endpoint positions.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray assembly with an adjustment system that includes a partially inserted shell configuration, allowing for precise screw adjustment or telescopic shafts, and optionally a biasing member, enabling the tray to expand and absorb positional variances between mating faces, ensuring connectors can mate effectively across varying dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cable trays are used as a substitute for circuit boards to reduce loss, then energy loss is reduced, but the cable trays cannot absorb positional tolerances and require precise control over endpoint positions
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray assembly incorporates an adjustable length mechanism that allows the tray to dynamically adapt its length to accommodate positional tolerances between circuit boards. The adjustment system includes movable components that can be positioned along the tray to achieve precise endpoint positioning while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of cable tray substitution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the length parameter of the cable tray assembly through an adjustment system. By allowing the tray length to vary within a range, the system can compensate for positional variations in circuit board mounting while maintaining optimal electrical connection properties, thus reducing energy loss without requiring fixed precise endpoint control.
2Device complexity
If fixed plane connectors are used for mid-plane designs, then connector positioning is simplified, but positional tolerances between circuit boards become difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray assembly transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The adjustment system allows the tray to adapt its configuration to accommodate variations in circuit board positioning, maintaining simple connector positioning while managing positional tolerances through mechanical adjustment capability.
3Device complexity
If cable trays lack adjustment capability, then the structure is simpler, but the trays cannot meet multiple mating face to mating face dimensions or wipe length requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray assembly incorporates adjustable components that allow the tray length and configuration to be modified. This dynamic capability enables the same basic tray structure to meet multiple mating face to mating face dimensions and wipe length requirements without requiring entirely different tray designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable cable tray assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating various dimension requirements. A single tray design with adjustment capability can serve multiple connection scenarios, replacing the need for multiple fixed-configuration trays and enhancing versatility while maintaining relatively simple base structure.
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
The cable tray assembly effectively absorbs positional variances, allowing for precise connection management and flexibility in meeting different mating face dimensions, enhancing the ability to connect multiple boards while minimizing electromagnetic interference through adjustable designs and shielding.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment system that can absorb variances in the positions of the first face and the second by precise screw adjustment or telescopic shaft that can optionally including a biasing member
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tray assembly includes a first shell that defines a hollow interior and a second shell that defines a hollow interior, wherein one of the shells is partially inserted into the other shell so that the two hollow interiors are in communication. The shells each include a face that that is opposite the face on the other shell and the faces support a plurality of connectors. An adjustment system helps control the distance between the two faces so that the cable tray can connect two row of connectors that are a distance apart where the distance is variable.