Articulated Cable Chain With Flat Spring Folding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing customer replaceable unit devices face challenges in efficiently managing and folding articulated cable chains to prevent entanglement and wear, especially when transitioning between open and closed positions, which can hinder the replacement of disk drives in servers and RAID units.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an articulated cable chain with periodically reversed links forming folding curves, secured by a flat spring with slots and studs, allowing the chain to fold into a series of sequential opposite curves matching the spring's radius, facilitating smooth extension and retraction while preventing entanglement and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the articulated cable chain is allowed to extend freely when the customer replaceable unit is removed, then the cable chain can accommodate the extended position, but the cable chain may become entangled and worn due to uncontrolled folding
Solution Approach 1:
The flat spring is pre-configured with a predetermined radius that defines the folding path of the cable chain. When the customer replaceable unit is reinstalled, the spring automatically guides the cable chain to fold along this pre-determined path, preventing entanglement before it can occur. The slots in the spring allow the chain to be installed in either orientation, and the spring's geometry ensures proper folding direction is established during the retraction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat spring acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cable chain and the customer replaceable unit chassis. It mediates the folding action by providing a physical guide (through its curved geometry and slots) that directs the cable chain along the desired folding path, thereby preventing direct uncontrolled contact and entanglement between the chain links.
2Reliability
If the cable chain is constrained to fold tightly to match the predetermined radius of the flat spring, then the folding is controlled and entanglement is prevented, but the chain links must be periodically reversed which adds complexity to the chain assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain is designed with locally varied link orientations rather than uniform links. Specific links are reversed relative to their neighbors to create the periodic folding pattern that matches the flat spring's predetermined radius. This local variation in link orientation allows the chain to conform to the spring's curvature while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain link reversal pattern changes the effective radius of curvature that different sections of the cable chain can achieve. By periodically reversing links, the chain can adapt its local geometry to match the predetermined radius of the flat spring, enabling controlled folding that prevents entanglement while accommodating the spring's constraints.
3Reliability
If the flat spring is designed with a predetermined radius to guide the folding curves, then the folding path is controlled and wear is reduced, but the spring must be precisely manufactured to ensure proper fit with the cable chain
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain is segmented into discrete links with specific reversal patterns that can be manufactured using standard chain manufacturing tolerances. This segmentation allows the chain to accommodate a range of spring radii through its periodic folding geometry, reducing the need for extremely precise spring manufacturing while still achieving controlled folding paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat spring is designed with an asymmetric slot configuration and specific radius that creates a unique folding pattern. This asymmetric design ensures proper engagement with the periodically reversed chain links, allowing the spring to guide the cable chain along the desired path while tolerating reasonable manufacturing variations through the chain's inherent geometric flexibility.
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 solution effectively manages cable chain folding, ensuring proper initiation of folding curves, reducing wear and entanglement, and enabling seamless transition between open and closed positions in customer replaceable unit devices, enhancing the replacement process of disk drives.
Implementation Method 1
said flat spring flexes against said articulated cable chain when said articulated cable chain is extended and initiates a first folding curve that substantially matches said predetermined radius of said flat spring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an articulated cable chain 102 that has a flat spring that initiates a first folding curve that holds the articulated cable chain 102 in a tight radius. Once the first folding curve 122 is properly initiated, the remaining folding curves in the articulated cable chain 102 are folded at the proper locations and have a small radii, even though the cable within the articulated cable chain tends to cause the cable chain to maintain a straighter configuration.