Cable Chain Links With Limiting Features For High Density Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable management systems in information handling system chassis face challenges in accommodating increased server density, airflow, and the need for flexible component swapping and rack adjustments, while maintaining efficient cable routing and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A cable chain system comprising a plurality of links with coupling and limiting features, allowing for rotatable and adjustable cable routing, and featuring a lengthwise opening for cable reception, enabling flexible and scalable cable management within the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If server computing density is increased to allow more components and increased airflow, then processing capacity and cooling efficiency are improved, but cable management complexity and space constraints worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is segmented into multiple discrete cable chain links that can be independently positioned and configured. Each link acts as an independent cable routing element, allowing the overall system to be divided into manageable sections that can be individually adjusted to accommodate high-density server configurations without creating overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain links incorporate rotatable elements and adjustable positioning features that allow dynamic reconfiguration of cable routes. This dynamic capability enables the cable management system to adapt to changing server densities and airflow requirements, transforming a static constraint into a flexible solution that evolves with system demands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hot swap capability and rack adjustment ability are maintained, then system flexibility and maintainability are improved, but cable routing stability and organization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain system is pre-configured with multiple positioning options and routing paths before components are installed or swapped. This preliminary arrangement of cable routes ensures that when hot swapping or rack adjustments occur, stable and organized cable paths are already in place, eliminating the need for chaotic re-routing during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain links are designed with universal coupling features and multiple positioning capabilities that serve both stability and adaptability functions. The same structural elements that provide stable cable routing also enable flexible reconfiguration for hot swapping and rack adjustments, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cable routing flexibility is increased to accommodate various configurations, then adaptability is improved, but cable chain structural complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable routing capability is achieved through segmentation into standardized, repeating cable chain link units. Each segment provides a fixed set of routing options through its rotatable elements and positioning features, while the overall flexibility emerges from the combination of multiple simple segments rather than requiring each individual component to be overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly may include a cable communicatively coupling a first information handling resource to a second information handling resource and a cable chain for guiding a routing of the cable, the cable chain comprising a plurality of cable chain links. Each cable chain link may include a plurality of coupling features for rotatably coupling, about an axis, such cable chain link to another cable chain link, one or more limiting features for limiting a rotation of such cable chain link to the other cable chain link, and an opening formed in such cable chain link and configured such that the cable chain has a lengthwise opening along one side of the cable chain which forms a channel for receiving the cable.