Cabinet With External DC Power Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current DC power distribution and installation practices in telecommunication sites are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, with high requirements for copper cabling and overhead support structures, leading to increased labor and material expenses.

Innovation Solution

A power distribution system featuring a cabinet with electrical termination contacts on its outside surface, configured to be coupled to an external DC power source, allowing for efficient installation and distribution of DC power, including compact design, high current capacity, and protective features such as recessed openings for lifting and internal cavity protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional DC power distribution practices are used, then power can be distributed to server equipment, but installation is time-consuming and labor costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet is divided into modular sections with standardized mounting positions for server equipment. The electrical termination contacts are segmented and distributed across multiple outside surfaces, allowing parallel connection operations. This modular segmentation enables installation teams to work on different sections simultaneously, dramatically reducing overall installation time while maintaining organized power distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical termination contacts are pre-positioned and integrated into the cabinet structure during manufacturing, rather than being installed on-site. The cabinet is pre-configured with mounting positions and electrical pathways before delivery to the installation location. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming on-site wiring and setup, allowing installation personnel to simply connect pre-positioned contacts to power sources and equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional copper cabling with overhead support structures is used, then power distribution is achieved, but material costs and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: it provides mechanical support for server equipment, houses electrical termination contacts, and serves as the power distribution hub. The outside surfaces of the cabinet are directly equipped with electrical termination contacts, eliminating the need for separate overhead support structures and extensive copper cabling. This consolidation simplifies the system to essentially the cabinet itself, reducing both material requirements and installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cabinet is designed as a universal platform that simultaneously performs structural support, electrical power distribution, and equipment mounting functions. The outside surfaces are configured to accommodate both mechanical equipment placement and electrical connections, making the cabinet a multi-functional hub that replaces multiple separate components traditionally required in DC power distribution systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If electrical termination contacts are placed on the outside surface of the cabinet, then coupling to external DC power source is simplified, but protection during shipping and installation becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower connection easeVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical termination contacts are recessed into the outside surfaces of the cabinet, creating protective cavities that cushion and shield the contacts during shipping and installation. This recessed configuration acts as pre-established protection, preventing direct exposure to impact forces and environmental hazards. The recessed openings provide a buffer zone that absorbs mechanical stresses before they reach the vulnerable electrical contacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical termination contacts are nested within recessed openings in the cabinet's outside surfaces, with the contacts positioned inside protective cavities formed by the recessed structures. This nested configuration places the vulnerable electrical components within the protective envelope of the cabinet structure, using the cabinet walls and recessed geometry as protective layers that shield the contacts from external damage during handling and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8797718B2Cabinet for a power distribution system
Publication Date: 2014.08.05 ACLEAP POWER INC
  • US8797718B2 patent drawing
  • US8797718B2 patent drawing
  • US8797718B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A power distribution system comprising a cabinet configured to hold electronic components therein. An outside surface of the cabinet has one or more electrical termination contacts thereon such that a surface of the electrical termination contacts is part of the outside surface. The electrical termination contacts are configured to be coupled to an external DC power source at the outside surface.