Cable Management Arm Extension with Support Rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable management arm designs lack additional support, leading to instability when dealing with longer and heavier cables due to extended computing device lengths, which can hinder access to components within the device.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a rail kit or friction slide component as additional support underneath the cable management arm, allowing it to pivotally connect to the computing device's rail kit, providing stability and enabling further extension of the computing device from a rack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cable management arm is extended to support longer cables for extended computing devices, then the cable management capability is improved, but the arm becomes unstable due to increased weight and length of cables

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable management capabilityVSAvoidarm stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management arm is divided into multiple segments or sections that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the arm to support longer cables by distributing the weight and length across multiple articulated sections, maintaining stability while extending the management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An additional support rail kit is introduced as a separate dimensional element that runs parallel to or alongside the cable management arm. This additional structural dimension provides extra support points and stability without interfering with the arm's ability to manage longer cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the computing device is extended further from the rack to improve access to internal components, then the accessibility is improved, but the cable management arm becomes too long and heavy to support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to internal componentsVSAvoidcable management arm weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management arm is segmented into multiple lighter sections that can be articulated, allowing the computing device to extend further while the arm maintains support capability through distributed weight rather than a single heavy structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An additional support rail kit acts as an intermediary structural element between the computing device and the cable management arm, providing extra support that enables both extended reach and proper cable support without requiring the arm itself to be excessively heavy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If additional support is added to the cable management arm to support heavier cables, then the arm stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm stabilityVSAvoidcable management structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional support rail kit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural stability for the cable management arm, enables extended computing device reach, and maintains proper cable routing. This multi-functionality adds stability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management arm and support rail kit are integrated into a combined structure that works together as a unified system. This merging allows the components to share loads and functions, achieving stability while minimizing the overall complexity compared to separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11464130B2Cable management arm extension

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

A cable management arm extension, comprising: a plate including apertures to allow for mounting a cable retainer; a first hinged section to connect to a first section of a cable management arm and to a first side of the plate; and a second hinged section to connect to a second section of a cable management arm and to a second of the plate.