Cable Manager Door Hinge Rotation Within Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal cable managers interfere with adjacent equipment or accessories when their hinges are opened, requiring spacing to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
A cable manager design featuring a door rotatably attached along its longitudinal edge to a trough, with a hinge structure that includes semi-cylindrical components and an indexing stop to retain the door in an open state without extending beyond the trough's footprint, allowing for easy access and minimizing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge structure is used on cable managers, then the door can be opened for access, but the hinge extends beyond the trough footprint and interferes with adjacent equipment or accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is repositioned from an external attachment to an internal integration within the trough footprint. The hinge is mounted on the inner surface of the trough end wall, allowing the door to rotate within the confines of the trough's projected area, thereby eliminating interference with adjacent equipment while preserving full door accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure is nested within the trough assembly rather than being an external component. The hinge is positioned inside the trough's footprint boundaries, with the door rotating in a manner that keeps it contained within or within the projected area of the trough, effectively nesting the moving parts within the overall structure's envelope.
2Area of stationary object
If cable managers are placed close together to maximize rack space, then space utilization improves, but conventional hinge structures cause interference between adjacent cable managers
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the hinge mounting position to the inner surface of the trough end wall and configuring the door to rotate within the trough footprint, the invention eliminates the lateral extension that previously caused interference. This dimensional reconfiguration allows cable managers to be positioned closer together horizontally without hinge interference, maximizing rack space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure is merged with the trough assembly as an integrated component rather than a separate external attachment. This integration allows the hinge to be positioned within the trough's footprint boundaries, enabling closer spacing of adjacent cable managers while maintaining full door functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the door is designed to open fully for easy access, then ease of operation improves, but the door may extend beyond the trough footprint and cause interference
Solution Approach 1:
The door is configured to rotate on an axis positioned on the inner surface of the trough end wall, causing the door to swing within the confines of the trough's projected area. This dimensional reconfiguration allows full door opening for easy access while preventing the door from extending beyond the trough footprint and interfering with adjacent equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mounting position is asymmetrically located on the inner surface of the trough end wall rather than on the outer surface. This asymmetric positioning creates a rotation path that keeps the door within the trough boundaries during opening, maintaining full accessibility while avoiding interference with adjacent components.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable manager includes a trough, defining a footprint, and a door. At least one side of the trough is formed from a plurality of finger-like projections extending forwardly from a support member. At least two of the projections include a hinge boss disposed at an outer end thereof and extending inwardly. At least one edge of the door has a hinge structure disposed therealong that includes an outer arm and an inner arm defining a hinge channel therebetween. The hinge bosses are disposed within the hinge channel such that the door is rotatably attached along at least one of its longitudinal edges to the trough. The door is rotatable to an open state without extending beyond the footprint of the trough.